Fourth guilty plea in Kentucky bourbon theft ring

FRANKFORT, Ky. - A fourth defendant is facing up to a year in jail in connection with a Kentucky bourbon theft ring that investigators say sold thousands of dollars of liquor illegally.

The Lexington Herald-Leader reports that 42-year-old Dustin Adkins of Georgetown pleaded guilty Thursday in Franklin Circuit Court to an amended charge of criminal conspiracy to receive stolen property over $10,000.

In his plea agreement, Adkins says he acted as a middleman for Gilbert "Toby" Curtsinger of Frankfort in the sale of stolen bourbon from Frankfort's Buffalo Trace Distillery.

Adkins was among nine people indicted in April on charges of stealing more than $100,000 worth of bourbon from two distilleries.

Adkins says he'll cooperate in the investigation and prosecution of co-defendants. He has agreed to testify if called upon.