Laurel County man pleads guilty to threatening commonwealth’s attorney
Note: A recent document from the United States Attorney’s Office lists Rhodes as being from Lexington.
A Laurel County man pleaded guilty to a federal charges related to threatening Jackie Steele, the local commonwealth’s attorney.
Christopher Rhodes entered a guilty plea Sept. 24 to a charge of interstate communication of a threat when he sent an email to Steele that a reasonable person could interpret as a threat.
Steele is the commonwealth’s attorney for Laurel and Knox counties. He has served the 27th Judicial Circuit since 2008.
Rhodes’ initial email, sent in May, told Steele his home needed curtains and referenced Steele’s wife being “in bed” and Steele’s children “roaming around,” according to the plea agreement.
Court documents said the language in the email implied Steele should be scared for himself and his family.
This message was sent as part of a series of emails over a course of weeks that expressed anger with Steel and his service as the commonwealth’s attorney.
Rhodes faces a maximum of five years in prison, a fine of no more than $250,000 and no more than three years of supervised release.
A sentencing hearing is scheduled for Jan. 27, 2026, according to court documents.
This story was originally published September 29, 2025 at 7:44 AM.
