HOGENVILLE, Ky. — A Kentucky jail deputy is facing criminal charges after a livestream captured him using racist, obscene and threatening language while he was on duty and wearing his detention center uniform, The News-Enterprise reports.
Zachary Behlke, 20, a deputy with the LaRue County Detention Center, was arrested on Dec. 3 and charged with first-degree official misconduct and third-degree terroristic threatening, according to the Hodgenville Police Department. He was booked into the Grayson County Detention Center.
The arrest followed a viral TikTok livestream recorded on Nov. 30 in which Behlke appeared on an online speed-dating show. During the live, Behlke stated he was on duty and could be seen wearing his detention center uniform.
Partway through the livestream, the host read messages that were allegedly sent by Behlke earlier in 2025 and contained racist and derogatory language. Behlke denied sending the messages and requested an opportunity to explain. Moments later, he was recorded using obscene, racist and threatening language toward another individual participating in the livestream.
Among the statements heard on the broadcast was, “Yeah I don’t like * black people, they’re stupid,” along with additional racial slurs and derogatory remarks, The News-Enterprise reports.
LaRue County Jailer Jody Perry said he learned of the incident in the early morning hours of Dec. 1. After confirming the livestream occurred while Behlke was on jail property and actively on duty, Perry said Behlke was terminated for violating the detention center’s code of ethics and social media policies. The incident was then referred to law enforcement.
Behlke had been employed at the detention center since September. Perry noted that because Behlke was under the age of 21, he did not have direct supervision over inmates during his employment.
