Man says he killed Bardstown officer, leaders plan to crack down on gang

BARDSTOWN, KY (WAVE) – A man is in jail accused of attacking people at a weekend party, but it's what he said while he went after his victims that is creating a lot of tension in the town.

Brant Sheckles, 24, is accused of making the statement that he killed Bardstown Police Officer Jason Ellis. Police say he is known to associate with called the Bardstown Money Gang.

Not long after Ellis was ambushed and murdered back on May 25, 2013, Kentucky State Police started looking into the so called Bardstown Money Gang or BMG.

"We don't believe they had anything to do with it," said Chief Rick McCubbin, Bardstown police. "Of course nothing is 100 percent ruled out at this point, as you know, but we don't believe they had anything to do with it."

Investigators focused on the group because prior to his death Officer Ellis arrested three of its members.

"I think this boils down to a bunch of punks who are wannabes who need to get a job and quit being leeches to society," said McCubbin. "Not only do they talk about it, they sing about it and put it on the social networks."

Over the weekend, a party in an open field quickly got out of hand in Nelson County. Witnesses tell police a group of people joined the party uninvited shouting "Big Money Bardstown Gang" and then started causing trouble.

Deputies stepped in and arrested Sheckles, who not only threatened the deputy arresting him, but also said he was involved in Ellis' murder.

Nelson County Sheriff Stephen Campbell is asking anybody with video from that night to come forward. "Texts, emails, Facebook posts, any of that type thing that may have some information, we would like to see it, so we can check it out," said Campbell.

Brant Sheckles is the nephew of Bardstown Mayor Bill Sheckles. Brant Sheckles was arrested for injuring other party-goers. As for claiming to kill Officer Ellis, McCubbin believes it's all talk.

"They're trying to empower themselves by making that claim intimidating people and using the fear factor that 'I'm so bad I killed a cop'," said McCubbin.

Sheriff Campbell has called a meeting of local leaders and government officials to address the Bardstown Money Gang and efforts that can be put it in place to get it stopped for good. The meeting is not open to the public.

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