FRANKFORT — The Kentucky State Police (KSP) is investigating a series of violent threats made to Kentucky Parole Board members after false information circulated online about the release of inmate Ronald Exantus.
Officials clarified in a release Monday that the Kentucky Parole Board did not release Exantus. The Board voted unanimously for him to remain in prison. However, state law required the Department of Corrections to release him under Mandatory Reentry Supervision in accordance with KRS 439.3406.
“At a time when political violence is on the rise, it’s more important than ever that information shared is accurate and threats like these are taken seriously,” the Kentucky Justice and Public Safety Cabinet said in the release.
Parole Board Chair Ladeidra N. Jones said board members have faced significant personal threats despite their decision to deny parole.
“Despite repeatedly voting for Ronald Exantus to remain in prison, Parole Board members have faced significant threats over the last several days, even having their personal addresses released publicly,” Jones said. “We are encouraging individuals to take these threats seriously and to prioritize factual information, which is that the board did not release Exantus – instead, a law passed by the General Assembly did.”
According to officials, the Parole Board reviewed Exantus’s case Sept. 30 and unanimously determined he should serve out the remainder of his sentence. The Department of Corrections, not the Parole Board, is responsible for implementing Mandatory Reentry Supervision, which is governed strictly by state statute, officials said.
KSP said in a statement Monday that personal identifying information belonging to several Board members has been released online in recent days, followed by threats of violence and death against them and their families. The KSP emphasized that “threatening to cause harm to others is a crime punishable by a jail sentence” under KRS 508.080.
The agency urged individuals to stop making threats toward Parole Board members. For those who continue to participate in this criminal activity an investigation will be opened and charges may be issued, the KSP warned.
Anyone with information about threats against the Parole Board can report them at kentuckystatepolice.ky.gov/tip