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I don't see the
point of being a human being if you're not
going to be responsible to your fellow
human beings. Selfishness thefts
away the human and reduces you to just a
being.
~Candea Core-Starke
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Ever wondered what the Commonwealth's
only maximum security prison looks like on
this inside?
To take a virtual tour of the Kentucky
State Penitentiary in Eddyville, including
the electric chair, click:
HERE
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Ever wondered what a
Methamphetamine addiction will do to you?
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| Issue
#10 |
February
6, 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
.
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| GUILTY |
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Commonwealth
v. Jacob Cooley
Judge:
Summe
Prosecutors:
Bob Sanders/Delana Sanders
Police
Agency: Erlanger
On 2/21/06, Jacob Cooley, who was 19 at the
time, was speeding down Erlanger-Crescent
Springs Road in Lincoln Mark IV.
Witnesses stated that he appeared to be
playing some sort of game with the car
following Cooley that was driven by one of
Cooley's friends. The other car slowed
down as the two entered a sharp curve where
the posted speed limit was 35 mph.
Cooley did not. Alicia Embry Newman,
41, of Ludlow, had the grave misfortune to
be traveling in the opposite direction on
the road and entering the same curve.
Cooley's aggressive driving and excessive
speed caused him to cross the double yellow
line as he attempted navigate the curve.
Cooley's large sedan crashed into Newman's
Toyota Tercel head-on. Cooley was not
seriously injured. Newman was killed.
She left behind a teenage son and a large
extended family.
 
Erlanger Police Accident Reconstructionists
Sgt. Troy Vines and Sgt. Michael Bianchi
investigated the wreck. They
determined that the maximum speed by which a
car could navigate the curve without leaving
the roadway is approximately 64 mph.
The investigators determined that Cooley had
to have been traveling in excess of the
maximum speed, causing him to cross into the
lane of oncoming traffic. This
conclusion was supported by speed estimates
of witnesses traveling behind Cooley as he
entered the curve. In December of
2006, Erlanger Police charged Cooley with
2nd Degree Manslaughter.
In November 2007, Cooley was indicted for
2nd Degree Manslaughter. In December
of 2007, Bob Sanders, the father of
Commonwealth's Attorney Rob Sanders and a
former Asst. Commonwealth's Attorney
(1972-1980), along with Delana Sanders, wife
of Commonwealth's Attorney Rob Sanders,
volunteered to prosecute the case for the
Commonwealth. Neither receives any
compensation or benefits for their work.
Bob Sanders and Delana Sanders are partners
in The Sanders Law Firm in Covington and
regularly handle civil cases involving
catastrophic traffic collisions like this
case. Trial was scheduled for 2/6/08.
On 2/5/08, Cooley entered a guilty plea as
charged to 2nd Degree Manslaughter without
the benefit of a plea agreement. Final
sentencing is set for 4/22/08 before Kenton
Circuit Judge Patricia Summe.
Commonwealth's Attorney Rob Sanders credits
the expertise of his father and wife in
major civil cases with obtaining a guilty
plea to the Indictment. "Dad and
Delana went about this case with the same
passion and work ethic as they do when
there's millions of dollars at stake.
No one would have ever guessed they were
working for free," said Rob Sanders.
Bob Sanders said it "felt great"
to step back into court as a prosecutor.
"A prosecutor is a trial attorney in
the purest form," said the elder
Sanders, "and we've handled cases in
the civil arena involving the Erlanger
Police so we knew we'd have the benefit of a
quality investigation." Delana
Sanders noted that in many circumstances,
"traffic cases are only as good as the
reconstructionist's work, and this case was
top-notch."
Prosecuting has become a family affair in
Kenton County. Justin Sanders, Rob's
younger brother, has recently joined
Bob and Delana as "volunteer" Assistant
Commonwealth's Attorneys for the 16th
Judicial Circuit. All work without pay
but maintain their private practice in
Covington. Rob Sanders said that word
of his family's volunteer work is starting
to spread through the legal community and
that other private attorneys have expressed
an interest in volunteering their time for
the Commonwealth. "The volunteer
prosecutors will never replace my paid
staff," said Rob Sanders.
"Our full-time staff still carries the
lion's share of the work around here but
it's nice to give them a little relief from
time to time, especially on complex cases
like this one," said Rob Sanders who
hopes to announce the addition of more
"volunteer" assistants in the near
future.
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| GUILTY |
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Commonwealth
v. Ronald Ferrier
Judge:Bartlett
Prosecutor: Rob
Sanders
Police Agency: Erlanger
On July 31, 2007, Colin Kennedy came to
the Erlanger Police Department with the
intention of filing a complaint about the
actions of what he believed to be an
Erlanger Police Officer. Kennedy
told Sgt. Troy Vines that the
"officer" apparently was
mad that Kennedy cut him off on Dixie
Highway. After a short encounter of
"road rage" between the two,
Kennedy said he pulled into the lot of the
Silver Lake Krogers. There, Kennedy
reported that the "officer"
displayed a badge, stated that he was with
the Erlanger Police Department and
threatened to "write him a ticket...
for every time (Kennedy) cut (him)
off" before ordering Kennedy to park
his car. Inside Kroger's Kennedy
confronted the "officer" and
asked him for his name and badge number so
Kennedy could file a complaint.
Kennedy said the "officer" then
threatened him with arrest and said
he was going to "go up to the station
a file a report." The
"officer" then hurried out of
the store and quickly left the parking
lot.
Kennedy's description of the
"officer" did not match any
employee of the Erlanger Police Department
so Sgt. Vines responded to Kroger's to
view the footage of the events on store
security videos. Vines quickly
recognize the "officer" to
actually be former Kenton County Constable
Ronald Ferrier. After losing his bid
for re-election twice in 2006 (once in a
Republican primary, and once as an
Independent write-in candidate), Ferrier
resigned from office in December of 2006
and no longer held police powers.
Ferrier was well known to several Kenton
County police agencies due to complaints
received from Ferrier's behavior while
acting as Constable.
The case was assigned to Lt. Kevin Gilpin
and Det. Jeff Miles for additional
investigation. Gilpin and Miles
conducted a search warrant of Ferrier's
car, a Mercury Grand Marquis which closely
resembles the Ford Crown Victoria commonly
used by police agencies. In the car,
investigators located emergency blue
lights hidden in the grill, a police
scanner, a badge, a police baton, and a
handgun among other things.
Investigators also searched Ferrier's home
where they located additional badges and
business cards from the Sheriff's
Department and Dept. of Homeland
Security, neither of which employed or
authorized Ferrier to have those items.
Gilpin and Miles also located a handful of
people who stated that Ferrier had
identified himself as a police officer
and/or displayed a badge, months after he
was no longer the Constable.
In September, 2007, Ferrier was indicted
for Impersonating a Police Officer.
On 2/5/08, Ferrier entered a guilty plea
as charged. He had been scheduled to
stand trial on 2/12/08.
Commonwealth's Attorney Rob Sanders is
recommending that Ferrier be sentenced to
5 years probated for 5 years.
Sanders said that his #1 priority was to
make certain that Ferrier never legally
owned a firearm again. "It's
obvious that the Defendant has some
twisted fascination with being a police
officer," said Sanders. "I
hope the possibility of spending 5 years
in prison motivates Mr. Ferrier to address
his mental issues because if he ever
pretends to be a police officer again,
he'll be looking a significant prison
sentence."
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| Other
Guilty Pleas & Sentencings |
|
Commonwealth
v. Clay Walker
Judge:
Sheehan
Prosecutor: Rob
Sanders
Police
Agency: Covington
On 1/8/08, Walker pled guilty to Possession
of a Controlled Substance (Marijuana) While
in Possession of a Firearm.
Commonwealth's Attorney recommended that
Walker be sentenced to 2 1/2 years in
prison. On 2/5/08 Walker was sentenced
to 3 years probated for 3 years on the
condition that the defendant serve 60 days
in jail.
Commonwealth
v. Gary
Cleaver
Judge: Sheehan
Prosecutor: Leanne
Isler
Police Agency: Covington
On 1/8/08 Cleaver pled guilty to
Theft (>$300). Asst.
Commonwealth's Attorney Leanne Isler
recommended a sentence of 2 years probated
for 3 years. On 2/5/08 Cleaver was
sentenced t 2 years probated for 3 years.
Commonwealth
v. Shady Ashcraft
Judge:
Bartlett
Prosecutor: Rob
Sanders
Police Agency: NKDSF
On 2/4/08 Ashcraft pled guilty to
Trafficking in a Controlled Substance
(cocaine). Commonwealth's Attorney
Rob Sanders is recommending a 5 year
prison sentence. Final sentencing
is set for 3/11/08.
Commonwealth
v. Marcus Richards
Judge:
Bartlett
Prosecutor: Alysha
McKinney
Police Agency: Covington
On 2/5/08 Richards pled guilty to
Robbery 2nd Degree. Asst.
Commonwealth's Attorney Alysha
McKinney is recommending that Richards
serve 8 years in prison. Final
sentencing is set for 3/11/08.
Commonwealth
v. Jovan Parks
Judge:
Bartlett
Prosecutor: Sharif
Abdrabbo
Police Agency: Covington
On
2/5/08 Parks pled guilty to
Possession of a Controlled Substance
(cocaine). Asst.
Commonwealth's Attorney Sharif
Abdrabbo is recommending a sentence
of 3 years probated for 3 years.
Final sentencing is 3/11/08.
Commonwealth
v. Erik Spicer
Judge:
Bartlett
Prosecutor: Leanne
Isler
Police Agency: Kenton
County P.D.
On 2/11/08 Spicer pled
guilty to 1st Degree Fleeing
Police and Receiving Stolen
Property (>$300). Asst.
Commonwealth's Attorney Leanne
Isler is recommending a
sentence of 1 1/2 years in
prison. Final sentencing
is 3/11/08.
Commonwealth
v. Lisa Napier
Judge:
Summe
Prosecutor: Joseph
Meadows
Police Agency:
Covington
On 2/4/08
Napier pled guilty to Possession
of a Controlled
Substance (cocaine).
Asst. Commonwealth's
Attorney Joe Meadows is
recommending a 1 year
sentence. Final
sentencing is set for
4/22/08.
Commonwealth
v. Cory Fields
Judge:
Summe
Prosecutor: Amy
Burke
Police
Agency: Kenton Co.
Child Support
On 2/4/08
Fields pled guilty
to Flagrant
Non-Support.
Asst.
Commonwealth's
Attorney Amy Burke
is recommending a
sentence of 3
years probated for
5 years.
Final sentencing
is set for
4/22/08.
Commonwealth
v. Brandon
Daunt
Judge:
Summe
Prosecutor: Joseph
Meadows
Police
Agency:
Ludlow
On
2/4/08
Daunt pled
guilty to
2nd Degree
Burglary
and Theft
(>$300).
Asst.
Commonwealth's
Attorney
Joe
Meadows is
recommending
a 5 year
sentence.
Final
sentencing
is
4/22/08.
Commonwealth
v. Ryan
Haskamp
Judge:
Summe
Prosecutor: James T.
Redwine
Police
Agency: Edgewood
On
2/4/08
Haskamp
pled
guilty
to
2nd
Degree
Burglary.
Asst.
Commonwealth's
Attorney
Jim
Redwine
is
recommending
a
sentence
of
5
years
probated
for
5
years
on
the
condition
that
Haskamp
serve
6
months
in
jail
and
receive
mental
health
treatment.
Final
sentencing
is
set
for
4/22/08.
Commonwealth
v.
Amanda
Bramble
Judge:
Summe
Prosecutor: Joseph
Meadows
Police
Agency:
Covington
On
2/4/08
Bramble
pled
guilty
to
Possession
of
a
Controlled
Substance
(cocaine).
Asst.
Commonwealth's
Attorney
Joe
Meadows
is
recommending
that
Bramble,
who
has
no
prior
felony
record,
be
ordered
into
the
Felony
Diversion
Program
for
3 years.
Final
sentencing
is
set
for
4/22/08.
If
she
fails
diversion,
Bramble
faces
1
-
5
years
in
prison.
|
| FAILED
TO APPEAR/WANTED: |
|
Ricky J. Johnson
Bond $5,000
Original Charge(s):
Poss. of a Controlled Substance (cocaine)
(2 counts)
Jerod
Bond
Bond:
$5000
Original Charge(s):
Poss. of a Controlled Substance (cocaine)
Michael
Hon
Bond:
$unknown
Original Charge(s):
Poss. of a Controlled Substance (cocaine)
Linda
Schmidt
Bond:
$5000
Original Charge(s):
Poss. of a Controlled Substance
(cocaine)
Victor
Hutson
Bond:
$5000
Original Charge(s):
Poss. of a Controlled Substance
(cocaine)
Ricky
Kiskaden
Bond:
$5000
Original Charge(s):
Poss. of a Controlled Substance
(cocaine)
David
Caudill
Bond:
$unknown
Original Charge(s):
Probation Violation
Paula
Cipollone
Bond:
$10,000
Original Charge(s):
Poss. of a Controlled Substance
(cocaine)
**Law Enforcement should confirm
warrants prior to arrest. Do
not rely solely on this
information!**
|
| Other
Law Enforcement News: |
|
|
DRUG
TRAFFIC BENEATH THE WAVES
Sophisticated
Submersibles Are Raising New Challenges for
Colombian Navy
In
the annals of the drug trade, traffickers have
swallowed cocaine pellets, dissolved the
powder into ceramics and flown the drug as far
as Africa
on flimsy planes -- anything to elude
detection and get a lucrative product to
market. Now, the cartels seem to be
increasingly going beneath the waves, relying
on submarines built in clandestine jungle
shipyards to move tons of cocaine.
Last
year, 13 of the vessels were seized on dry
land or stopped at sea by Colombian or U.S.
patrol boats -- more than in the previous 14
years combined, according to the Pacific fleet
of the Colombian navy, which is responsible
for interdiction efforts across 130,000 square
miles.
Naval
officials say they are concerned that many
more submarines may have gotten past patrols,
especially now that the newest models are
faster and feature more seaworthy designs than
the first such vessels that Colombian
officials discovered in 1993.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/02/05/AR2008020503123.html
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Thank you for taking the time to stay
informed about criminal justice in Kenton
County.
Rob
Sanders
Commonwealth's Attorney Office
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