George Oscar Messer, Violent Kidnappings, Kentucky 2023

LONDON, Ky.

In a shocking display of violence, George Oscar Messer, 62, of Rockholds, Kentucky, was sentenced to life imprisonment on March 8, 2023, by United States District Judge Robert E. Wier. Messer was convicted by a federal jury of two counts of kidnapping in January 2023.

The kidnappings were motivated by an unsuccessful drug transaction, during which Messer’s son and his co-conspirators lost $10,000. Messer arrived at the scene of the kidnappings with numerous firearms, including an assault rifle and .44 magnum revolver. He held the revolver to one victim’s head while demanding the lost money.

Thereafter, Messer learned that one of his co-conspirators had raped the second victim. In response to this, Messer then bound the second victim and sexually assaulted her, again, at gunpoint. The victims were held for approximately 24 hours, during which time they were interrogated, threatened, and assaulted.

The victims only escaped after a family member spotted them in a ditch on the side of the road with Messer. Law enforcement recovered 15 firearms and numerous controlled substances from the Messer residence. At sentencing, Messer received numerous enhancements based on the use of a dangerous weapon, acting as a manager or supervisor, demanding a ransom, and sexually exploiting a victim.

Messer also had a prior conviction for Sexual Abuse, Third Degree, from Whitley County in 2014. He was indicted in November 2020. His co-conspirators, Jake Messer, Joshua Mills, and Stephen Jewell, are awaiting sentencing.

This case is an unsettling example of the disturbing effects of illegal drug trafficking on our communities. The violent kidnappings, tortuous threats, and repeated sexual assaults warrant the sentence imposed. I want to commend our law enforcement partners for their dedicated efforts in this case, without which this prosecution would not have been possible.

This defendant was part of an armed drug-trafficking organization that committed heinous acts of violence. I commend the efforts of the ATF agents and Kentucky State Police who worked diligently on this investigation to help bring justice to the victims who were kidnapped, tortured, and forced to endure the unimaginable.

The investigation was conducted by the ATF and KSP. United States was represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jenna E. Reed. This case was prosecuted as part of the nationwide, crime reduction strategy, ‘Project Safe Neighborhoods’ Program, aimed at decreasing violent crime in communities. The PSN program involves a comprehensive approach to public safety.

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