Writer makes claims that local officer is not ‘legal’
To the Investigative Desk,
I am writing to provide documented evidence of a severe “Color of Law” violation
and systemic failure of oversight in Lawrence County.
I have obtained written confirmation from the Kentucky Law Enforcement Council
(KLEC) and the Department of Criminal Justice Training (DOCJT) proving that
Lawrence County Special Deputy Daniel Castle has had zero law enforcement
authority since December 30, 2021. Under KRS 15.386(1)(a), his powers
automatically terminated years ago. He is, in the eyes of the law, a civilian.
Despite this, the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Department and Fiscal Court have
continued to deploy him in a county-owned patrol vehicle, where he has initiated
high-speed pursuits and felony arrests.
This has resulted in the current malicious prosecution of United States Marine
Corps veteran Christopher Sons and his fiancée, Callee West. Together, we face
four combined felony charges built entirely on the actions of a man who has had
no law enforcement authority under Kentucky law for nearly four years.
The Smoking Gun: The attached KLEC/DOCJT letters confirm Mr. Castle has no
training and no certification. Furthermore, the attached “Institutional
Knowledge Timeline” proves the County Fiscal Court and Sheriff have had public,
documented knowledge of his lack of certification since at least January 2024,
yet they chose to keep him on the road.
The Systemic Failure:
Adding to this injustice, private counsel retained by Mr. Sons in October 2025—Michael Durborow and Aaron Oppegard of Suhre & Associates (Lexington, KY)—have failed to file a single motion in this case for nearly a year, despite being paid $4,250 in fees.[4] They have failed to even recognize that the officer in question is uncertified or that the charging statutes do not match the sworn testimony. This case represents a complete abandonment of due process by both the government and the legal profession.
Why this is a story: This is a systemic liability that calls into question the
validity of every arrest Daniel Castle has made for years. It involves
documented perjury, “victim substitution” in grand jury indictments to hide
Castle’s lack of status, and the weaponization of the justice system against a
veteran and his family.
Attached for your immediate review:
1. Exhibit A & B: KLEC and DOCJT official responses confirming no
certification.
2. Executive Summary: A 1-page breakdown of the violations.
3. Institutional Knowledge Timeline: Proof the county knew and did nothing.
4. Undisclosed Relationships: Documentation of the conflicts of interest in
this prosecution.
I have an additional 20-page evidentiary file including CAD reports, fuel
receipts proving illegal compensation, and documented testimony contradictions
available immediately upon request.
Respectfully,
Note: Mr. Grayson, I am following up on a phone conversation that we had in May and then I came to see you at your home in June. I feel that I finally have enough proof of the corruption that has been long standing in Lawrence County to come forward and tell mine and Christopher Sons story. I hope you will publish this as soon as possible as Christopher and I still have between us 4 active felony cases in Lawrence County Circuit Court. We are individually filing pro se 1983 Civil Rights lawsuits in Federal Court to preserve our rights. It is literally criminal what has been perpetrated against us, and the TRUTH needs to come out. Daniel Castle is a pathological liar, dangerous, and a very low character individual. May God have mercy on his soul because I will not.
Executive Summary: The Lawrence County “Ghost” Deputy Scandal
Subject: Systemic “Color of Law” Violations and Official Misconduct
Date: July 24, 2026
Contact: Callee A. West | (606) 446-1020 | sonscallee@gmail.com
THE CORE ISSUE:
For nearly four years, the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Department has illegally deployed Daniel
Castle as a “Special Deputy” despite his lack of legal authority. Written confirmation from the
Kentucky Law Enforcement Council (KLEC) and the Department of Criminal Justice Training
(DOCJT) proves Castle holds zero peace officer certifications. Under KRS 15.386(1)(a), his
enforcement powers automatically expired on December 30, 2021. He is, in the eyes of
Kentucky law, a civilian.
INSTITUTIONAL KNOWLEDGE AND COVER-UP:
Sheriff Chuck Jackson, Judge Executive Phillip Carter, and the magistrates of the Lawrence
County Fiscal Court have had documented knowledge for well over a year that Daniel Castle
did not meet the training and certification requirements mandated by state law. Despite this
knowledge, they flagrantly flaunted Kentucky law, continuing to invest Castle with the authority
to carry a gun and a badge while equipping him with state-funded equipment, including a Ford
F-150 patrol vehicle (#373).
After nearly a year, Christopher Sons and Callee West continue to be maliciously prosecuted in
an effort to cover up these flagrant violations and protect the county from the catastrophic
liability of its own actions.
KEY EVIDENCE OF MISCONDUCT:
The “Ghost” Stop: On August 9, 2025, Castle initiated a pursuit of Marine Veteran Christopher
Sons. The stop was never called in; a CAD event had to be created retroactively at 8:55 p.m.,
already underway by 8:56 p.m.
Perjury & Victim Substitution: In a January 8, 2026, incident, an off-duty, uncertified Castle
allegedly assaulted a handcuffed Callee West. To preserve the resulting felony charge, the
Grand Jury indictment substituted a certified officer as the victim—directly contradicting the
original arrest citation naming Castle.
Usurpation of Judicial Power: On the day before Christopher Sons’ bond review hearing, Daniel
Castle orchestrated a forced mental health evaluation against Ms. West. This was a deliberate
attempt to use the civil mental health system to usurp judicial bonding powers and prevent Ms.
West from posting bond for Mr. Sons.
Documented Conflicts: Text messages prove Castle coordinated with adverse family members
to “target” the couple, feeding them inaccurate narratives to justify his actions.
AVAILABILITY:
Supporting documentation—including KLEC/DOCJT response letters, CAD records,
insurance declaration pages, and Castle’s contradictory sworn testimony—is available
immediately upon request. Christopher Sons and Callee West are seeking accountability for the
destruction of their lives and the flagrant misuse of power by Lawrence County officials.
All documents were received by TheLevisaLazer
