Jailed GOP ex-governor gets 'Texas Roadhouse' delivery as cameras go dark: guards

Corrections officers at a Louisville jail holding former Kentucky Gov. Matt Bevin say surveillance cameras went dark for several minutes over the weekend, during which time a jail lieutenant allegedly delivered him a meal from Texas Roadhouse.

Daniel Johnson, president of the union representing corrections officers at the jail, told the Courier-Journal the incident occurred around 8:30 or 9 p.m. on Sunday, adding that every camera in the facility, including those covering public areas and elevators, went black for an estimated six minutes.

"In that timeframe, it's completely black," Johnson said. "Every single camera is blacked out."

During that window, Johnson said officers observed a Louisville Metro Corrections lieutenant enter the building through its public entrance, take an elevator to the sixth floor, and use a key not authorized for use by regular corrections officers to access the wing where Bevin is held.

The lieutenant was seen carrying a bag labeled "Texas Roadhouse," according to Johnson, though it was unclear what the meal contained. A spokesperson for Louisville Metro Department of Corrections did not immediately respond to a request for comment, nor did an attorney for Bevin.

Bevin, who is being held alone in a cell, was sentenced to 60 days in jail last week after being arrested on a contempt-of-court warrant tied to an ongoing child support case.

The arrest followed his failure to appear at several hearings connected to a 2025 legal intervention filed by one of his adopted children. That child, Jonah Bevin, now 19, has said he was abused at multiple facilities for "troubled teens," including one in Jamaica that was shut down over abuse allegations. Attorneys for Jonah Bevin have also questioned the legitimacy of a high school diploma he received from an unaccredited Florida facility.

Bevin was arrested Sept. 3 on the set of a Christmas movie being filmed in central Kentucky, where he was reportedly set to appear as a "featured extra," according to the venue's owner.

Johnson said rank-and-file officers have described a pattern of preferential treatment toward Bevin during his time in custody, including being issued two extra mattresses beyond the one given at booking, along with additional linens.

He said the alleged Texas Roadhouse delivery has fueled particular anger among staff, recalling that two longtime officers were suspended for 10 days last Thanksgiving after ordering pizza for incarcerated workers who help with jail tasks like laundry and cooking as a gesture of thanks.

"Then they turn around and do this?" Johnson said. "They're pissed."