Former Kentucky Gov. Matt Bevin was arrested Thursday, Sept. 3, while working as a featured extra on a Christmas movie being filmed at a horse farm in Paris, Kentucky. The 59-year-old former governor was taken into custody over an outstanding warrant connected to an ongoing family court dispute involving financial records and child support.
Matt Bevin Taken Into Custody on Movie Set
Bevin was participating in the production of The Greatest Christmas Gift of All, a holiday film being shot at Houstondale Farm in Bourbon County. The movie stars Danica McKellar and Matthew Marsden and is being produced by Great American Family.
According to the farm’s owner, Jessica Mohr, deputies arrived at the property after receiving information that Bevin was there and had an active arrest warrant. Officers reportedly located him inside the home while he was talking with one of the film’s lead actors.
Bevin was cooperative during the arrest and was taken into custody without incident. He was initially lodged at a local detention facility before being transferred to Louisville Metro Corrections.
Arrest Linked to Family Court Dispute
The warrant stemmed from a Jefferson County Family Court case involving Bevin’s divorce and a child support dispute involving his adopted son, Jonah Bevin.
Judge Angela Johnson had previously found Bevin in contempt after he failed to provide financial documents requested by the court and missed required hearings. A warrant was issued in June after continued noncompliance.
Bevin had also missed an earlier hearing in May. At that time, he said he was unable to attend because a large boulder had damaged his vacation property in Maine. He paid a fine and that earlier warrant was withdrawn, but another warrant was later issued.
The court had ordered Bevin to serve 60 days in jail and pay a $500 fine as part of the contempt proceedings.
Former Governor Ordered to Serve 60 Days
Bevin appeared before Judge Johnson on Friday, Sept. 4, following his arrest. The judge ordered him to serve 60 days in jail, while leaving open the possibility of reconsidering the sentence after 30 days if there is evidence of improvement.
Bevin’s legal team argued that the underlying family court dispute was nearing resolution and asked the court to consider alternatives to incarceration. Attorneys representing Jonah Bevin argued that court orders should be followed and opposed allowing Bevin to avoid the jail sentence.
Bevin served as Kentucky’s Republican governor from 2015 through 2019. He lost his 2019 reelection campaign to Democrat Andy Beshear, who remains governor.
The arrest brought an unexpected interruption to the Christmas movie production, although filming reportedly continued after Bevin was taken away from the set.
