LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Joseph Lawson, a 32-year-old man from Nelson County, has been arrested in connection with the death of Crystal Rogers. Lawson, along with Brooks Houck, is facing charges related to the disappearance and presumed murder of Rogers. However, this is not Lawson’s first encounter with the legal system, particularly concerning allegations of violence and threats against women.

Five women have accused Lawson of assault or threats since 2009, including two women with whom he shares children. In 2020, he was accused of choking and hitting a woman in Marion County and was later convicted of misdemeanor assault and facilitation to strangulation. He received a 90-day jail sentence, which was suspended, and was placed on two years of probation. According to court records, the woman reported that Lawson threatened to kill her and continued to call her, saying he would shoot her and that she should be ready to die.

Details from court records and interviews reveal Lawson’s past as he becomes involved in the high-profile case involving the disappearance of Rogers. Lawson has a history of cycling in and out of local jails and spending less than a year in prison. In 2015, before Rogers went missing, he allegedly told a woman that she would be his next victim.

Some of Lawson’s domestic violence cases were dropped, with one woman stating that she no longer wanted to press charges because she planned to marry Lawson. She claimed that he had made progress in controlling his anger and was taking college courses online. However, there is no evidence to suggest that Lawson has ever worked with federal authorities, despite the woman’s mention of his involvement in a federal investigation.

Several women have reported that Lawson carries knives and guns. He has faced other charges, including criminal mischief, burglary, and possession of methamphetamine. The state Department of Corrections reveals that Lawson has spent just over seven months in prison and has been in and out of various county jails.

Lawson, who uses a wheelchair and has extensive physical treatment needs due to a motorcycle accident in 2021, has had difficulties preparing his defense with his attorney while in the hospital since his arrest. Despite his injury, one of Lawson’s alleged assault victims wrote a judge expressing concern that Lawson had become more aggressive and needed to be stopped.

Lawson has violated probation multiple times by not attending meetings with his probation officer and lacking a consistent address or working phone. His defense attorney, Kevin Coleman, declined to speak about Lawson’s past but emphasized the importance of a fair trial and the presumption of innocence.

Joseph Steven Lee Allen Lawson, born in 1991, has led a transient life, often being homeless or staying in other people’s homes or his vehicle. He has obtained his GED and claims to be self-employed in construction. Lawson has at least two children from different relationships. Court records indicate that women have requested name changes for their children due to Lawson’s absence from their lives.

Lawson has faced various charges, including domestic violence, property destruction, and assault. While there are no publicly available documents linking Lawson directly to Houck or Rogers, Lawson’s father, Steve Lawson, was connected to Houck in a police interrogation. Steve Lawson was mentioned as someone who worked with Houck. The investigation into Rogers’ disappearance and presumed murder is ongoing, and Rogers’ body has never been found.

Lawson pleaded not guilty to charges of criminal conspiracy to commit murder and tampering with physical evidence earlier this month in Nelson Circuit Court. His bail was set at $500,000 cash, and this indictment marks the first significant development in the case.