Judge raises bond for suspect accused of seriously injuring Lexington police officer
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- District Judge Lindsay Thurston raised Naqeeb Mufallah’s bond from $100,000 to $750,000.
- Mufallah faces charges including first-degree assault of a police officer and first-degree wanton endangerment.
- Officer Kevin Van Wert was in critical condition after being dragged into a light pole during a traffic stop.
A Fayette County district judge increased the bond for a suspect accused of seriously injuring a Lexington police officer because of a “change of circumstances.”
The bond for Naqeeb Mufallah, 31, is now $750,000 after District Judge Lindsay Thurston raised it from $100,000 during an arraignment Thursday afternoon. Mufallah is accused of injuring Lexington officer Kevin Van Wert during a traffic stop by accelerating his car and dragging the officer into a light pole.
Thurston told Mufallah she’s raising the bond because of “more information about the injuries of the victim and a review of your criminal history, which is a very violent one.”
Mufallah was arraigned in Fayette District Court Thursday afternoon on charges of first-degree assault of a police officer, first-degree wanton endangerment of a police officer, first-degree criminal mischief, first-degree fleeing or evading police, resisting arrest, possession of handgun by convicted felon, leaving the scene of an accident or failure to render aid with death or serious physical injury, rear license plate not illuminated and a probation violation. He pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Lexington Police Chief Lawrence Weathers said Van Wert was in critical condition Wednesday afternoon. Weathers attended Mufallah’s arraignment and said he was unable to comment on Van Wert’s condition.
Weathers previously said Van Wert pulled Mufallah over for moving violations. Mufallah fled the scene after injuring Van Wert but was arrested a short time later.
Other officers were with Van Wert during the traffic stop. Weathers previously identified them as K-CI Carmichael, Erica Sacharnoski and Dylan Sharp.
Mufallah is being held at the Fayette County Detention Center. His next scheduled court appearance is a preliminary hearing on April 21, court records say.
Mufallah has a lengthy criminal history, including previous guilty pleas to charges of assault of a police officer and fleeing or evading police on foot, according to court records. He was on probation at the time of the alleged incident.
Van Wert has been employed with Lexington police since August 2024 and graduated from the training academy in March 2025. He previously worked for the Portland Police Department in Maine.
Van Wert is from Bourbon County and graduated from the University of Kentucky with a degree in economics in 2021.
The police department’s Collision Reconstruction Unit is investigating the incident.
