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| Issue
#11 |
February
13, 2008 |
|
Greetings
Kenton County!
The men and women of
the Commonwealth's Attorney Office are
always working hard to keep Kenton County
safe. This newsletter is intended to
keep all interested parties up to date on
the latest in prosecution and law
enforcement news. If you have any
questions or would like additional
information about the cases you see in this
email, please call (859) 292-6580 or email
the Commonwealth's Attorney Office at robsanders@kentonprosecutor.com
.
|
| EDITORIAL |
|
 By:
Rob Sanders, Commonwealth's Attorney
On February 13, 2008, Kentucky's House of
Representatives Budget Committee will hold a
hearing to discuss the budget for the
Unified Prosecutorial System for the next
two fiscal years. If you've read
the newspapers lately, you know that the
Commonwealth of Kentucky is in a budget
crunch. Talks of cuts in the range of
10%-12% run rampant throughout state
government. In tight financial times,
it is incumbent upon government to
prioritize its spending. Our
legislature and governor must ask themselves
"What are government's most
essential functions?" and then
fund state agencies accordingly.
So I ask you, as a taxpayer, as a voter, as
a parent or future parent, and as a law
abiding citizen of this Commonwealth, what
is it that you absolutely, positively, want
your government to do for you before all
others? I, for one, think that
government's first obligation before all
others is to keep its citizens safe. How
many of us really think that we have too
many policemen on patrol? How many
people would accept slower response times
and longer waits for an ambulance or
firetrucks? I doubt many folks would
agree that public safety is a good place to
start cutting back. Never forget that
prosecution IS an
essential part of public safety.
Without prosecution, what's the point of
arrest?! There is no justice without
adequate amounts of prosecutors, judges, and
court workers!
I ran for and was elected Commonwealth's
Attorney because I felt it was the very best
way that I could contribute to making Kenton
County the absolute best place to live and
raise a family. Cutting the budget of
the Unified Prosecutorial System will not
effect me because my salary is set by the
state Constitution. It will, however,
have enormous impact upon the number and
quality of Assistant Commonwealth's
Attorneys throughout the state. Over
90% of the budget for Commonwealth's
Attorneys is employee salaries. The
remaining budget goes to things like rent,
utilities, and office supplies.
Commonwealth's Attorneys are not given a
budget for training and there is no fleet
of vehicles or other capital purchases that
can be cut. Quite simply, less money
means less prosecutors. Less
prosecutors means less criminals going to
prison.
It's your Commonwealth. It's your
county. It's your community. Email
your legislators and tell them that you
demand that public safety be priority #1!
Let them know you want them to look for cuts
in other parts of government.
Prosecutors are already doing "more
with less" so any cuts will only mean
that prosecutors will be doing "less
with less!" With your help, we
can ensure that Kenton County and judicial
circuits throughout the state keep the
prosecutors we need to keep our communities
safe. Those of us serving the
Commonwealth appreciate your support!
|
| GUILTY |
|
Commonwealth
v. William Thompson
Judge:
Summe
Prosecutors:
Rob Sanders
Police
Agency: Ft. Mitchell
On 5/10/07 William Thompson, of
Lakeside Park, knocked on the front
door of the Greyhound Tavern on Dixie
Highway in Ft. Mitchell shortly after
closing time as the manager and bartender
were preparing to lock up for the night.
When the manager opened the door, Thompson
barged in and asked if the restaurant was
still open. After being told it was
not, Thompson pulled out a semi-automatic
handgun, pointed it at the employees, and
said "Well in that case, I'm
going to rob you!" Thompson
wanted into the safe but was told the time
release would not open until the next day so
he then demanded that the employees give him
their money. The female bartender gave
Thompson her tip money she earned that
night. Thompson then ordered the
employees into the back dining room before
he fled out the front door.
The bartender called 911 and gave the
operator Thompson's description.
Police officers from Ft. Mitchell, Ft.
Wright, and Lakeside Park responded within
minutes and set up a perimeter in hopes of
containing Thompson's flight.
Officers quickly called for a K9 unit to
track Thompson. Kenton County Officer
Brett Benton had heard the call on his
police radio and had already started that
way with his K9 partner, Tommy. Benton
and Tommy located a scent and tracked it
across Dixie Highway and behind Jim's
Beverage where they located Thompson hiding
in the woods. Thompson pulled out his
gun at which time Benton turned his partner
loose on the Defendant. Instead of
firing at officers, Thompson put the gun to
his own head. Tommy bit Thompson just
as he pulled the trigger. The
distraction and/or force of the K9 caused
the bullet, which would have otherwise gone
through the Defendant's head, to instead
enter at the temple and exit through the
eye. Thompson's eye was destroyed but
he was otherwise unharmed.
As a precaution, Thompson was flown by
Aircare to University Hospital. Ft.
Mitchell Detective Tim Berwanger responded
to the hospital where he interviewed the
Defendant. Thompson confessed not only
to Berwanger but also to two nurses who were
treating him. Thompson stated that he
was low on money and could not pay his
rent so, after consuming a bottle of vodka,
walked to the Greyhound and robbed it.
Later that same day, Berwanger obtained a
warrant for Thompson's arrest. After
being released from the hospital, Thompson
was extradited back to Kentucky where he was
indicted for the robbery in December of
2007.
Thompson was scheduled to stand trial on
2/13/08 but changed his mind at the 11th
hour and pled guilty to 2 counts of First
Degree Robbery without the benefit of a plea
agreement. Commonwealth's Attorney Rob
Sanders is recommending the maximum 20 year
sentence on each count. Sanders, who
can be found at the Greyhound almost every
week on their famous "Fried Chicken
Night" said the brazen nature of the
crime was particularly disturbing.
"Not that it's any less serious, but
you always hear about robberies at places
like liquor stores and gas stations,"
said Sanders, "but if a criminal has
the nerve to walk into a community icon like
the Greyhound and stick a gun in someone's
face, what wouldn't he do for money?!
It was just a matter of luck that no one
other than the Defendant was seriously
injured!" Final sentencing is set
for 4/22/08 before Kenton Circuit Judge
Patricia Summe.
|
| GUILTY
VERDICT |
|
Commonwealth
v. James Kyne
Judge:Sheehan
Prosecutor: James
T. Redwine
Police Agency: Covington
On 7/1/06, Covington Police were called
to the Riverfront Marriott to assist
hotel employees with a drunk and
disorderly subject. Covington
Police Officer Brian Kane was the first
officer to arrive and hotel employees
directed him to the 3rd floor where he
located James Kyne. The Defendant
was intoxicated from a day of drinking
at the Cincinnati Reds game and causing
a disturbance to other hotel guests.
As Officer Kane approached, Kyne spun
around and attacked the officer. A
fight ensued during which time Kane's
radio was knocked loose making it
difficult for him to call for
assistance. Kyne managed to get
the officer in a choke hold and tried to
shove him over the 3rd floor balcony.
Feeling his oxygen supply being cut off,
Kane was forced to bite Kyne to get him
to release the choke and save his own
life. As Kane began to get the
upper hand, other officers arrived to
assist him and Kyne was subsequently
subdued and arrested.
Kyne was indicted for Attempted Murder
and 3rd Degree Assault (on a police
officer) in September of 2006.
After numerous motions, continuances,
and other delays, Kyne finally stood
trial on 2/1/08. After a 4 day
trial over the course of two weeks, the
jury acquitted Kyne of Attempted Murder
but found him guilty of 3rd Degree
Assault. The jury deliberated
until after 11 p.m. before deciding that
it could not reach a unanimous verdict
on sentencing. Pursuant to
Kentucky law, sentencing then becomes
the exclusive responsibility of the
trial court, Kenton Circuit Judge Martin
Sheehan. Asst. Commonwealth's
Attorney James T. Redwine, who
prosecuted the case, said he was
disappointed that Kyne was not found
guilty of the more serious charge but
was glad the defendant was still being
held accountable for the assault, noting
that justice was a long time coming for
Officer Kane. "Assaults on
police officers don't get much more
serious than this," said Redwine,
"so I am glad the defendant is now
behind bars." Kyne, who's
bond was revoked by the Court after the
guilty verdict, is scheduled for
sentencing on 3/23/08. He faces
1-5 years in prison.
|
| Other
Guilty Pleas & Sentencings |
|
Commonwealth
v. Jimmy Boyd
Judge:
Summe
Prosecutor: Laura
Ward
Police
Agency: Covington
On 12/11/07, Boyd pled guilty to Attempted
Sodomy First Degree. Asst.
Commonwealth's Attorney Laura Ward
recommended a sentence of 13 years in
prison. On 2/12/08 Boyd was sentenced
to 13 years in prison.
Commonwealth
v. Melissa
Keeling 
Judge: Bartlett
Prosecutor: Leanne
Isler
Police Agency:
On 2/11/08 Keeling pled guilty to Theft By
Failure to Make Required Disposition
(>$300). Asst. Commonwealth's
Attorney Leanne Isler recommended that
Keeling, who has no prior felony record, be
ordered into the Felony Diversion Program
for 2 years. Keeling was ordered into
the diversion program for 2 years.
Keeling faces 1-5 years if she fails
diversion.
Commonwealth
v. Debra Eatmonds
Judge:
Sheehan
Prosecutor: Sharif
Abdrabbo
Police Agency: Covington
On 2/12/08 Eatmonds pled guilty to
Possession of a Controlled Substance
(cocaine). Asst. Commonwealth's
Attorney Sharif Abdrabbo is recommending
that Eatmonds be sentenced to 3 years
probated for 3 years on the condition that
she serve 12 months in the county jail.
Final sentencing is set for 3/11/08.
Commonwealth
v. Joshua Gregg
Judge:
Sheehan
Prosecutor: Jason
Kinser
Police Agency: Covington
On 2/12/08 Gregg pled guilty to Burglary 3rd
Degree. Asst. Commonwealth's
Attorney Jason Kinser is
recommending that the defendant serve 1
year in prison. Final sentencing
is set for 3/11/08.
Commonwealth
v. Victoria Robinson
Judge:
Sheehan
Prosecutor: Sharif
Abdrabbo
Police Agency: Ft.
Mitchell
On
2/12/08 Robinson pled guilty to
Possession of a Controlled Substance
(cocaine). Asst. Commonwealth's
Attorney Sharif Abdrabbo is
recommending a sentence of 1 year
probated for 3 years. Final
sentencing is 3/11/08.
Commonwealth
v. Kent Stewart
Judge:
Sheehan
Prosecutor: Sharif
Abdrabbo
Police Agency: NKDSF
On 2/12/08 Stewart pled
guilty to Trafficking in a
Controlled Substance (cocaine),
2nd Offense, and Trafficking in
Marijuana (>8oz.), 2nd
Offense). Asst.
Commonwealth's Attorney Sharif
Abdrabbo is recommending a
sentence of 12 years in prison.
Final sentencing is 3/11/08.
Commonwealth
v. Matthew Patton
Judge:
Sheehan
Prosecutor: Joseph
Meadows
Police Agency:
Covington
On 2/12/08
Patton pled guilty to Burglary
3rd Degree. Asst.
Commonwealth's Attorney Joe
Meadows is recommending
a sentence of 4 years
probated for 4 years on the
condition that Patton serve
165 days in the county jail.
Final sentencing is set for
3/11/08.
Commonwealth
v. Dana Simmons
Judge:
Summe
Prosecutor: Rob
Sanders
Police
Agency: Kenton
Co. Police
On 1/14/08 Simmons
pled guilty to Tampering
With Physical
Evidence.
Commonwealth's
Attorney Rob
Sanders recommended
that Simmons, who
has no prior felony
record, be ordered
into the Felony
Diversion Program
for 5 years.
On 2/12/08, Simmons
was sentenced to 5
years in the Felony
Diversion Program.
If Simmons
fails diversion she
faces 1-5 years in
prison.
Commonwealth
v. Brandon
Daunt
Judge:
Summe
Prosecutor: Leanne
Isler
Police
Agency:
Ludlow
On
2/12/08
Daunt pled
guilty to 1st
Degree Robbery.
Asst.
Commonwealth's
Attorney
Leanne Isler is
recommending
a 10
year
sentence.
Final
sentencing
is 4/22/08.
Commonwealth
v. Matthew
Hummel
Judge:
Summe
Prosecutor: Joseph
Meadows
Police
Agency: NKDSF
On
1/14/08
Hummel
pled
guilty
to
Possession
of
a
Controlled
Substance
(cocaine).
Asst.
Commonwealth's
Attorney
Joe
Meadows
recommended
a
sentence
of
2
years
probated
for
3
years.
On
2/12/08
Hummel
was
sentenced
to
2
year
probated
for
3
years.
Commonwealth
v.
Shaun
Fredrick
Judge:
Summe
Prosecutor: Sharif
Abdrabbo
Police
Agency:
Elsmere
On
1/7/08
Fredrick
pled
guilty
to
Possession
of a
Controlled
Substance
(cocaine).
Asst.
Commonwealth's
Attorney Sharif
Abdrabbo recommended
a 1
year
sentence.
On
2/12/08
Fredrick
was
sentenced
to 1
year
in
prison.
Commonwealth
v. Gregory
Mullins
Judge:
Summe
Prosecutor: Jason
Kinser
Police
Agency: Crescent
Springs
On
1/7/08
Mullins
pled
guilty
to
Possession
of
a
Controlled
Substance
(cocaine).
Asst.
Commonwealth's
Attorney
Jason Kinser
recommended
that
Mullins,
who
has
no
prior
criminal
record,
be
ordered
into
the
Felony
Diversion
Program
for
2
years.
On
2/12/08 was
sentenced
to
2
years
of
felony
diversion.
Mullins
faces
1-5
years
if
he
fails
diversion.
Commonwealth
v. Jerry
Valentor
Judge:
Summe
Prosecutor: Leanne
Isler
Police
Agency: Elsmere
On
1/14/08
Valentor
pled
guilty
to
Theft
(>$300).
Asst.
Commonwealth's
Attorney
Leanne
Isler recommended
a
sentence
of
2
years
probated
for
3
years.
On
2/12/08 Valentor
was
sentenced
to
2
year
probated
for
3
years.
Commonwealth
v. Willie
Gordon
Judge:
Summe
Prosecutor: Leanne
Isler
Police
Agency: Ft.
Wright
On
1/14/08 Gordon
pled
guilty
to
First
Degree
Fleeing
Police.
Asst.
Commonwealth's
Attorney
Leanne
Isler
recommended
a
sentence
of
2
years
in
prison.
On
2/12/08 Gordon
was
sentenced
to
2
years
in
prison.
Commonwealth
v. John
Bradford
Jr.
Judge:
Summe
Prosecutor: Sharif
Abdrabbo
Police
Agency: Covington
On
1/10/08
Bradford
was
convicted
by
a
jury
of
Possession
of
a
Controlled
Substance
(cocaine).
On
2/12/08
Judge
Patricia
Summe
followed
the
jury's
recommendation
and
imposed
the
maximum
5
years
in
prison.
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