Bourbon Heist Finally Solved. Nine Indicted.

June 29, 2015 – The on-going investigation into missing cases of Pappy Van Winkle and other high-end bourbon has come to an end with the indictment of nine people, two of whom were employees of the distilleries involved in the theft – Buffalo Trace and Wild Turkey.  The Franklin County Sheriff, Pat Melton always suspected it was an inside job.

The ringleader, Gilbert “Toby” Curtsinger, a dock worker at Buffalo Trace, led an organized crime syndicate that trafficked in stolen liquor and also imported and distributed anabolic steroids dating back to 2008.  Helping him was Mark “Sean” Searcy, an employee of Wild Turkey. Curtsinger’s wife, Julie was among the indicted.

While the “whodunnit” part of the case has been solved, not all the bourbon has been recovered.  Authorities have 25 bottles of Pappy in custody but more than 200 were stolen and may never be recovered.   Other recovered bourbon included 17year-old Eagle Rare worth about $11,000 a barrel and several barrels of Wild Turkey.

So are the distilleries looking forward to getting their product back?  If it were up to the Sheriff, he’d probably return it, especially anything in a sealed bottle, but it may have to be destroyed.  Bourbon lovers, permission to weep.