PINEVILLE, KY - The Bell County Ky. Sheriff's Department is reporting that, what appeared to be a standard traffic stop in Bell County, after a man was “acting strange” in Knox County turned out to be much more serious when terroristic plans were discovered by area law enforcement.
Bell County Deputy/Det. Hunter Luttrell states that he was made aware of an incident on January 27, 2025, involving Maurya Hemendra Bharwad, age 23, of India, acting strangely at a church in Knox County.
A Knox County Deputy had reported that Bharwad had been coming to the church, opening doors to classrooms and interrupting classes. Knox County deputies also stated that Bharwad had been recently fired from admissions at a local college after an anonymous tip of sexual harassment.
Deputy Luttrell also states that on January 31st, Barbourville Police advised, Bharwad had gone to Blue Line Tactical attempting to purchase a firearm but lied on the form and became irate with the staff, threatening them when he was told there would be a delay in the background check.
After Bharwad left the store, the business operator turned Bharwad's information and identification over to Barbourville Police, which led to a “be on the lookout” alert for the suspect.
Based on the behavior of Bharwad, Deputy Luttrell stated that a warrant would have to be issued to search his Bell County residence on Highway 92.
Barbourville PD advised that warrants were being issued and ICE/Homeland Security would be holding him on a detainer due to his being in the country illegally.
While still in contact with Barbourville Police and sitting at a patrol location in Pineville, a vehicle matching the make and model of Bharwad’s passed the Bell County Deputies, Luttrell and Fuson, along with Pineville Officer Patrick Brooks, traveling northbound on U.S. Highway 25E.
Officer Brooks attempted a traffic stop, but the driver refused to stop on U.S. 25E and instead turned into the Dollar General parking lot. He had to be boxed in due to aggressive driving in the parking lot.
The driver, later identified as Bharwad, began taunting officers multiple times as if waving firearms from his window. Due to the severity of the situation, officers had to deploy non-lethal rubber rounds to break the window forcing him to exit the vehicle.
After a lengthy struggle, Bharwad was finally taken into custody. No firearm was found in his possession. He was taken to Barbourville ARH for a blood draw but refused.
According to the February 27th indictment, Maurya Bharwad was interviewed by Sgt. Adam Townsley and ICE agent Frank Kenyon at the Barbourville Police headquarters, stating at one point that he needed a gun for his "itchy trigger finger”. He also stated he looked up how to make a bomb, planned to commit criminal acts in New York City and “shut the city down”.
Bharwad also admitted he was addicted to marijuana and was high when he attempted the firearm purchase. This suspect also admitted he was not in the country legally.
The federal indictment further states that Bharwad “did knowingly make a false written statement in connection with the attempted acquisition of a firearm from a licensed dealer and intended to deceive the dealer with respect to a fact material to the lawfulness of the sale of a firearm in Knox County, Kentucky.”
Deputy Luttrell charged Maurya Bharwad with:
- DUI and resisting arrest
Barbourville Police charged Bharwad with:
- Menacing and disorderly conduct – 2nd degree
Maurya Bharwad was also charged with:
- Contempt of court
This individual was lodged in the Knox County Detention Center without bond.
UPDATE: On Friday, March 7, 2025, Maurya Hemendra Bharwad, age 23, of India was arrested by the United States Marshall Service, transported to and booked into the Laurel County Correctional Center at 9:54:00 AM as a Federal Prisoner held-in transit with no bond allowed.
