Former Gov. Matt Bevin arrested in Central Kentucky, dispatchers confirm

Monica Kast, Lexington Herald-Leader on Sep 3, 2026

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LEXINGTON, Ky. — Gov. Matt Bevin was arrested by the Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office Thursday, according to local 911 dispatchers.

More information wasn’t immediately available. Officials at the Bourbon County jail didn’t respond to request for comment.

Bevin had been wanted for months after failing to disclose financial records as ordered by a judge in a court case related to his divorce and child support for Jonah Bevin, one of his adopted children. Bevin, a Republican, was Kentucky’s governor from 2015 to 2019.

After Bevin repeatedly failed to follow the judge’s orders, Judge Angela Johnson issued a warrant for his arrest and ordered him to spend 60 days behind bars at the Louisville Metro jail, as well as pay a $500 fine.

Johnson declined to rescind the arrest warrant until the documents were turned over. Bevin was also ordered to attend court hearings in person, which he did not do on multiple occasions.

When he attempted to join the latest hearing in July via Zoom, Johnson declined to allow him to participate virtually.

“Mr. Bevin made that decision not to be here, but you know, he’s going to pay for it in that he doesn’t get to go under oath and present his side of the story,” Johnson said.

Glenna Bevin, the former Kentucky First Lady, filed for divorce in May 2023. She complied with court orders to submit financial documents, while Matt Bevin did not, leading to Johnson issuing a warrant for his arrest on June 5.

He was previously held in contempt of court in March for repeatedly failing to turn over financial records in the case after missing the deadline to produce records showing his income, including bank statements and tax returns. In March, he told Johnson he was attempting to gather the financial records, but needed additional time because he did not have traditional documentation of income.

Then, in May, the former governor was given 14 days in jail or the fine, after again failing to comply with court orders.

He appeared at a sentencing via Zoom, saying he was unable to attend in person because a boulder had fallen on a home he owns in Maine. Matt Bevin paid the $250 fine, according to court documents, and was told to produce the requested documents by June 5 at noon.

Shortly before the deadline, his lawyer filed an emergency motion requesting an extension until June 15, which Johnson denied. Johnson then issued a warrant for his arrest.

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