KY SEAL 2
Sanders

From the Office of:

ROB SANDERS
COMMONWEALTH'S ATTORNEY
16th Judicial Circuit - Kenton County, KY 
 

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 This Week in Kenton Circuit Court...

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In This Issue
Guilty
Guilty
Guilty Verdict
Other Guilty Pleas & Sentencings
Failures to Appear/WANTED
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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 .
 
GUILTY  
Commonwealth v. Harold Houstonharold houston
Judge: Summe
Prosecutors: Laura Ward
Police Agency: Kenton Co. Police
 
In July, 2007, a teenage relative of Harold Houston reported to authorities that Houston had been molesting her since she was less than 12 years old.  Kenton County Police Detective Steve Benner began an investigation.  Benner was able to determine that the more serious acts, Class A felonies (those that occurred when the child was >12 years old), occurred in Grant County at Houston's former residence.  Benner determined that additional offenses constituting Class B felonies did, however, occur in Kenton County.  Benner confronted Houston with the allegations and after much discussion Houston confessed to the sex acts.
 
Houston was indicted by the Kenton County Grand Jury for 1st Degree Rape, 3 counts of 1st Degree Sodomy, 4 counts of Incest, and 2 counts of Sexual Abuse, in July of 2008.  On 2/11/08 Houston entered a guilty plea to all charges.  Asst. Commonwealth's Attorney Laura Ward is recommending that Houston serve 30 years in prison.  Houston would have to serve 85% of the sentence before being parole eligible.  Final sentencing is set for 4/22/08.  Houston still faces additional felony charges in Grant County.
GUILTY  
Commonwealth v. Harry Stricklandharry strickland
Judge: Bartlett
Prosecutor: James T. Redwine
Police Agency: Covington
 
On 11/3/07 a 23 year old man from Erlanger was spending the evening at the Venus Show Lounge in Covington.  His paramour arrived and was not happy with her boyfriend's choice of venues for his entertainment and she demanded that he leave with her.  On their way down Madison Avenue the argument continued until she threw him out of the car.  The man walked to the Sunoco Gas Station at 13th and Madison in Covington and made a purchase.  While at the case register three men approached the man and asked for a cigarette then noted aloud that he had an awful lot of money in his pocket.  As the man left the gas station, the three approached him again, only this time one had a gun.  As that suspect held the victim at gunpoint, Harry Strickland took the money out of the victim's pockets.  One of the three told the victim not to call the police or they would shoot him and they walked away. 
 
Shortly thereafter Covington Police Officer Chris Dees happened onto the Sunoco lot during regular patrol.  The victim stopped Dees and told him what happened.  Dees noticed that the three suspects who had been standing near a payphone on the opposite end of the lot were now hurrying away.  One of the suspects ran down Madison Avenue and was never caught.  Dees stopped Strickland and the suspect who reportedly had the gun on East 13th Street and ordered them to the ground at gunpoint.  Once additional officers arrived, Dees went back to where the three had been standing and recovered what turned out to be a pellet gun discarded in the grass.  A search of Strickland's person produced the victim's money, mostly singles.
 
Strickland and his co-defendant were charged with Robbery.  On 2/15/08 Strickland pled guilty to 2nd Degree Robbery.  Asst. Commonwealth's Attorney James T. Redwine is recommending an 8 year sentence.  Final sentencing is set for 3/31/08.
GUILTY VERDICT  
Commonwealth v. Domenico S. Vilardodomenico s vilardo
Judge: Sheehan
Prosecutor: Rob Sanders
Police Agency: Covington
 
On April 2, 2007 Covington Police received a call for a man with a gun making threats in the 1600 block of Garrard Street.  Covington Police Officer James Miskanin responded and observed a man matching the description of the gunman walking away from the scene.  Miskanin exited his car and ordered the man to the ground at gunpoint.  Rather than following the officer's commands, the man kept walking towards the officer and reached for his waistband.  Miskanin could clearly see the outline of the gun's handle through the man's shirt.  But for a group of people standing on the sidewalk further down the block behind the defendant, the man likely would have been shot by the officer.  Instead he took off running down Garrard, turned onto East 16th Street, and then turned again onto Collins Street before cutting behind some houses.  Miskanin gave chase and called out the direction of the pursuit on the police radio. 
 
As the man ran through the back yards he tossed the gun under a bush.  Miskanin chased the man out from between two of the houses and back into Collins street where the man was nearly hit by a police car driven by Officer David Hoyle who was responding to assist.  Miskanin and Hoyle took the suspect into custody at which time Miskanin ran back into the yard and recovered the discarded handgun.  The suspect was identified as Domenico Sergio Vilardo.  A criminal history check revealed that Vilardo, 24, had been convicted of 4 separate felonies.  The first prior felony was actually committed on Vilardo's 18th birthday when he was found driving a stolen car.
 
Vilardo was indicted by the Kenton County Grand Jury for Possession of a Handgun by a Convicted Felon and Persistent Felony Offender 1st Degree in May, 2007.  Vilardo was scheduled to stand trial on 2/13/08 but on the morning of trial and with the jury waiting in the hallway, Vilardo announced his intention to plead guilty to the handgun charge and waive a jury trial on the persistent felon charge, choosing to instead take his chances with Judge Martin Sheehan.  After 3 1/2 hours of testimony from an officer from the Dept. of Probation and Parole and legal arguments, Sheehan found Vilardo guilty of Persistent Felony Offender 1st Degree.  Sentencing is scheduled for 4/1/08.  Commonwealth's Attorney Rob Sanders is recommending the maximum sentence of 20 years.  Regardless of the sentence ultimately imposed by the court, Vilardo must, by law, serve 10 years day for day without the benefit of any "good time" before being eligible for parole.  Sanders called Vilardo "one of the most dangerous people in Kenton County" and said he had never seen such a long criminal history on such a young defendant.  Vilardo's priors include 1st Degree Wanton Endangerment and 2 convictions for Possession of a Controlled Substance (cocaine). 
 
While in jail awaiting trial, Vilardo also got into a fight with detention center deputies who requested that he submit to a drug test.  During the fight, Vilardo began to shout racial slurs at an African-American deputy and then attempted to spit blood on him.  The blood missed its intended target but landed on 2 other deputies.  For that encounter, Vilardo was indicted for 3 counts of 3rd Degree Assault on a Peace Officer and Persistent Felony Offender 1st Degree.  The 3rd Degree assault charges carry penalties of 1-5 years which would be enhanced to 10-20 years if convicted of the persistent felon charge.  That case is scheduled for a trial setting on 2/25/08.  Any sentence Vilardo receives must, by law, be served consecutive to the sentence imposed for the previous charge.
 
EDITOR'S NOTE  
NO 4th Division Docket This Week
 
Due to the President's Day Holiday and staff scheduling, there was no docket in the 4th Division this week.  Regular 4th Division docket will resume next week.
Other Guilty Pleas & Sentencings  
Commonwealth v. Joseph Putmanjoseph putnam
Judge: Sheehan
Prosecutor: Alysha McKinney 
Police Agency: Covington
 
On 2/19/08 Putman pled guilty to Possession of a controlled substance (cocaine).  Asst. Commonwealth's Attorney Alysha McKinney is recommending a 2 year prison sentence.  Final sentencing is set for 3/18/08.
 
Commonwealth v. Tiffany Cobb adrienne peacock
Judge: Sheehan
Prosecutor: Rob Sanders 
Police Agency: Edgewood
 
On 12/18/07 Cobb pled guilty to Possession of a Forged Instrument. Commonwealth's Attorney Rob Sanders recommended that Cobb, who has no prior felony record, be ordered into the Felony Diversion Program for 2 1/2 years.  On 2/19/08 Cobb was ordered into the diversion program for 2 1/2 years.  Cobb faces 1-5 years if she fails diversion.
 
Commonwealth v. Jessica Antonispeech
Judge: Sheehan
Prosecutor: Leanne Isler 
Police Agency: Covington
 
On 2/15/08 Antoni pled guilty to Theft (>$300).  Asst. Commonwealth's Attorney Leanne Isler is recommending that Antoni, who has no prior criminal record, be ordered into the felony diversion program for 2 years.  Final sentencing is set for 3/18/08.
 
 
Commonwealth v. James A. Brownjames a brown
Judge: Sheehan
Prosecutor: Leanne Isler
Police Agency: Ft. Wright
 
On 2/19/08 Brown pled guilty to Fraudulent Use of a Credit Card.  Asst. Commonwealth's Attorney Leanne Isler is recommending that Brown, who has no prior criminal record, be ordered into the felony diversion program for 2 years.  Final sentencing is set for 3/18/08.
 
Commonwealth v. Raymond A. Cook  raymond cook
Judge: Summe
Prosecutor: Amy Burke 
Police Agency: Kenton Co. Child Support
 
On 2/19/08 Cook pled guilty to Flagrant Non-Support.  Asst. Commonwealth's Attorney Amy Burke is recommending a sentence of 3 years probated for 5 years on the condition that the Defendant serve 6 months in the county jail.  Final sentencing is 3/18/08.
 
Commonwealth v. Dorothy Ingramadrienne peacock
Judge: Summe
Prosecutor: Laura Ward
Police Agency: Covington
 
On 2/22/08 Ingram pled guilty to Assault 2nd Degree.  Ingram is facing 5 - 10 years in prison.  Final sentencing is 4/22/08.
 
 
 
Commonwealth v. Roberta S. Gambleadrienne peacock
Judge: Summe
Prosecutor: James T. Redwine
Police Agency: Kenton Co. Sheriff
 
On 2/11/08 Gamble pled guilty to Promoting Contraband and Loitering for the Purposes of Prostitution.  Asst. Commonwealth's Attorney Jim Redwine is recommending a sentence of 1 year to serve.  Final sentencing is set for 4/22/08. 
 
Commonwealth v. Darvin Hicksadrienne peacock
Judge: Summe
Prosecutor: Amy Burke
Police Agency: Kenton Co. Child Support
 
On 2/11/08 Hicks pled guilty to Flagrant Non-Support.  Asst. Commonwealth's Attorney Amy Burke is recommending a sentence of 5 years probated for 5 years on the condition that the defendant serve 6 months in jail.  Final sentencing is set for 4/22/08. 
 
Commonwealth v. Brandon Dauntadrienne peacock
Judge: Bartlett
Prosecutor: Leanne Isler
Police Agency: Ludlow
 
On 2/15/08 Daunt pled guilty to Receiving Stolen Property (>$300).  Asst. Commonwealth's Attorney Leanne Isler is recommending a 1 year sentence, consecutive to Daunt's other 2 felony sentences for a total of 16 years in prison.  Final sentencing is 3/31/08. 
 
 
Commonwealth v. Donte Blackdonte black
Judge: Summe
Prosecutor: Jason Kinser 
Police Agency: Covington
 
On 2/11/08 Black pled guilty to Trafficking in a Controlled Substance (cocaine).  Asst. Commonwealth's Attorney Jason Kinser is recommending a sentence of 8 years.  Final sentencing is set for 4/22/08.
 
Commonwealth v. Sascha Starkeysascha starkey
Judge: Summe
Prosecutor: Jason Kinser
Police Agency: Covington
 
On 2/11/08, Starkey pled guilty to Fascilitation of Trafficking in a Controlled Substance.  Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney Jason Kinser is recommending a sentence of 12 months, conditionally discharged for 2 years.  Final sentencing is set for 4/22/08.
 
Commonwealth v. Dwayne Hearddwayne heard
Judge: Bartlett
Prosecutor: Joseph Meadows 
Police Agency: Covington
 
On 2/15/08 Heard pled guilty to Possession of a Controlled Substance (cocaine).  Asst. Commonwealth's Attorney Joe Meadows is recommended that Heard, who has no prior criminal record, be ordered into the felony diversion program for 2 years.  Heard ordered Heard into the felony diversion program for 2 years.
 
Commonwealth v. Tanika Robertstanika roberts
Judge: Bartlett
Prosecutor: Sharif Abdrabbo 
Police Agency: Bartlett
 
On 2/15/08 Roberts pled guilty to Possession of a Controlled Substance (cocaine) and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia 2nd Offense.  Asst. Commonwealth's Attorney Sharif Abdrabbo is recommended a sentence of 1 year probated for 3 years.  Final sentencing is set for 3/31/08.
 
Commonwealth v. Joseph E. Smithjoseph smith
Judge: Sheehan
Prosecutor: Leanne Isler
Police Agency: Ft. Mitchell
 
On 1/15/08 Smith pled guilty to Terroristic Threatening (bomb threat).  Asst. Commonwealth's Attorney Leanne Isler recommended a sentence of 2 years probated for 2 years.  On 2/19/08 Smith was sentenced to 2 years probated for 2 years and restitution to the City of Ft. Mitchell.
 
Commonwealth v. Timothy Tuckertim tucker 
Judge: Sheehan
Prosecutor: Joseph Meadows
Police Agency: Covington