HENDERSON, Ky. (WEHT) - A former detective with the Evansville Police Department was arrested on felony charges on Wednesday after he reportedly sent explicit death threats to a woman over Facebook.
According to an affidavit, authorities were contacted in June after a woman received threats from an account linked to former EPD detective Brent Melton, who was medically retired in 2019. The affidavit says Melton messaged the woman initially and called her 'sexy'. During the conversation, the woman reportedly called Melton distasteful for messaging a woman who was in a relationship when he was married.
The woman told authorities she attempted to message Melton's wife through Facebook, but received a message responding back that appeared to be from Melton. Authorities say that message from Melton threatened to cut the woman's throat if she contacted his wife again.
A portion of the threatening message also said "And I hope you report this go ahead... I'm not afraid of jail."
While speaking with investigators in July, Melton reportedly admitted to contacting the woman over Facebook, and confessed to making the threat to cut her throat. He also said he told the woman "They can charge me with intimidation".
Melton told authorities he believed the woman was upset with him over the Aleah Beckerle homicide investigation. He also said that the victim and another woman had been contacting his wife at work, but was unable to provide any information on when that took place.
Melton was arrested and charged with felony intimidation and booked into the Vanderburgh County Jail. He has since been released on a $500 bond.
Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Eyewitness News (WEHT/WTVW).