Ex-KYTC employee facing theft charges

MAYFIELD, Ky. (KT) - An investigation by Kentucky State Police (KSP) Post 1 detectives led to the arrest of a former Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) employee, now living in Tennessee, for thefts that occurred while he was with KYTC.

On April 13, KSP Post 1 at Mayfield received information from the KYTC Office of Inspector General reporting a suspected theft from the KYTC Driver Licensing Regional Office in Mayfield. It was reported to KSP that Hunter Simmons, while employed with KYTC, stole payments for services rendered by KYTC at the driver licensing regional office.

A thorough investigation led to findings that Simmons was employed as the Administrative Section Supervisor for both the Mayfield and Paducah KYTC Driver Licensing Regional Offices. During his employment, between April of 2024 and January of 2026, Simmons was found to have stolen $88,688.50 from the Mayfield location. An investigation of the Paducah office is still ongoing.

The Mayfield investigation was presented to the Graves County grand jury on May 12, 2026, resulting in the indictment of Mr. Simmons for the offense of Theft By Unlawful Taking (greater than $10,000 but less than $1,000,000).

After the indictment was handed down, Hunter Simmons, 33 years old, now of Bradford, Tenn., was located and arrested by the Gibson County, Tennessee Sheriff's Office on May 19, 2026. On May 21, 2026, Simmons was extradited from Tennessee and brought to the Graves County Restricted Custody Center where he was served with the indictment warrant.

The investigation remains ongoing by Detective Propes with additional charges possible in McCracken County, once that investigation is concluded.

Simmons has his next appearance before a judge scheduled for Monday at Graves Circuit Court.