Convicted drug dealer testifies against former Bullitt County sheriff

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- A convicted drug dealer has become the star witness in the trial of a former Bullitt County sheriff.

Chris Mattingly took the stand for more than three hours Tuesday in a federal courtroom at the Gene Snyder U.S. Courthouse and Customhouse in downtown Louisville. He is testifying against former Bullitt County Sheriff Dave Greenwell.

Mattingly, a former Bullitt County Special Deputy, told the court that it was Greenwell who tipped him off about the federal investigation and about a pole camera that was watching him at his car business. He and Greenwell are neighbors.

Mattingly said Greenwell told him to meet at Bernheim Forest without a cell phone and they had discussed the case.

On the stand, Mattingly talked about Ronnie Shewmaker, who was found with more than $400,000 in Perris, California. Mattingly said the money was vacuum-sealed and hidden in compartments in the car. Mattingly said the money was sealed so it couldn't be smelled with police dogs, and he used gloves so there would be no fingerprints. Mattingly told the court that the money confiscated was his and was meant to pay for marijuana.

Last year, Shewmaker and Eddie Whitfill, who ran Mattingly's Hardinsburg farm, pleaded guilty to federal drug charges. Mattingly is accused of being the ring leader who had ties to a Mexican drug cartel and distributed drugs and large sums of cash across the country.

"I was more careful," Mattingly said of his actions after Greenwell's help. "I just tried to change the way of doing things."

Mattingly also talked about his chicken fighting business. He said he started raising chickens when he was 10 or 11 years old. He said he sold chickens that were used in chicken fights and sold them in Louisiana and Mexico, where they're legal. He said some people would put razors on the chickens, so they'd fight until their death.

Prosecutors said in exchange for Mattingly testifying against Greenwell and others, including a possible Cartel member who hasn't been caught, Mattingly got a reduced sentence for cooperating with the government. He was sentenced to three years in prison and a $10,000 fine. Mattingly could have faced a minimum of 10 years in prison. Mattingly told the court that cooperating with the government puts his life at risk and in danger, but he took the deal and got out of prison early.

Greenwell's Defense Attorney Scott C. Cox said Mattingly was paid for his testimony with the reduced sentence. Cox said Mattingly and his dad are not credible witnesses, no matter what they tell the court.

Greenwell is accused of providing information about potential witnesses. He's charged with obstructing an investigation and helping Mattingly. He faces a minimum of 10 years and a maximum sentence of life in prison if he's convicted.

"It's been pretty tough on all the family. My wife, she has lost more than 50 pounds since it's been going," Greenwell said. "It's still like a nightmare, but I'm doing good. I'm confident that things will turn out like they're supposed to."

Greenwell resigned from the sheriff's office in February 2017 amid allegations of misconduct. He has pleaded his innocence from the beginning.

The FBI is expected to testify on Wednesday and a tape of the Greenwell FBI interview is also expected to played for the court. The trial is expected to last through Thursday or Friday.

Related Stories: