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| Officer Don's Crime Prevention Tip |
iCrime
iPods are tempting targets for thieves these days: over 90,000,000 have been sold, they are valuable, easy to resell, and people who use them are typically absorbed in the music and usually oblivious to their surroundings.
To avoid being the victim of an iCrime:
Don't get "lost" in the music;
Pay attention to your surroundings;
Keep your iPod in your hand, if possible;
If someone does grab your iPod and run, exercise caution. Don't ever forget - your iPod is not worth your life or a serious injury. |
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TOP STORIES
Meet Lexington's Elder Abuse Prosecutor
Traci Caneer - Crimes against the elderly have been her area of special interest.
Crime Victim News
Burglaries are a violent crime. Briana Gaylord focuses on these victims.
Last on American D.A. - LIVE
Commonwealth of Kentucky vs. Michael Flick. Death Row Inmate of the Week
A tragic loss of lives by this killer.
Recent Court News
Robber wears a blond wig to avoid identification. It didn't work.
Crime Analysis: Statistics Tell a Story
Races victimize their own race.
Office News
Financial Crimes Task Force fills a huge void. Cops & Robbers News & Trends
The cost of illegal aliens in the criminal justice system.
Last Week's Circuit Court Sentencings
Who went to prison and who was probated. |
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Meet Lexington's Elder Abuse Prosecutor |
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Asst. Commonwealth's Attorney Traci Caneer |
Traci Caneer has been a prosecutor with the Fayette Commonwealth's Attorney's Office for more than 10 years. She is a graduate of Lexington Catholic High School and has a Communications Degree and her Juris Doctor Degree from the University of Kentucky.
Traci has successfully prosecuted cases across the board, from child sexual abuse, to rape, to murder cases. Her area of special interest is cases involving crimes against the elderly. In 2000, Traci started the Elder Abuse Task Force with the goal of getting all of the various agencies together which are involved with elder abuse on some level. This provided an opportunity for these agencies to share information and strive to prosecute those who perpetrate crimes against some of our most vulnerable citizens.
The Elder Abuse Task Force is now in its eighth year of meeting monthly to review all referrals of physical abuse, neglect or financial exploitation of the elderly. As a result, cases which have gone unnoticed in years past are scrutinized and prosecuted to the fullest extent. "Traci's efforts have given a voice to many who cannot speak for themselves," says Ray Larson, Commonwealth's Attorney. |
| Crime Victim News |
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Burglary Is A "Violent" Crime -- Just Ask A Victim
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Victim Advocate Briana Gaylord |
Our criminal laws classify Burglary as a "Non-Violent" crime. Oh, yeah! Just ask a burglary victim whose residence has been broken into by one of these criminals, if they think burglary is a "non-violent" crime. "It's not the 'things' they took from my house, it's what they took from 'me.' They took away my sense of safety and security." They will tell you that they feel violated, that their sense of security is gone. "Will they come back to get me?" they worry.
The Fayette Commonwealth's Attorney's Office has dealt with:
1,134 residential burglaries in 2007
1,341 residential burglaries in 2006
Well, we think burglary is a violent crime. Our legislature should be aware that the victims of burglary don't appreciate, one bit, the attitude of elected representatives that burglary is not a violent crime. |
| Last On American D.A. - LIVE |
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Commonwealth of Kentucky vs. Michael Flick
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Prosecutor Lou Anna Red Corn |
Prosecutor Shawna Virgin |
Defendant Michael Flick |
Murder Victim Christina Wittich |
In 2003 the defendant Michael Flick sold his optometry business to Dr. Randall Lambirth. In November of 2004, Dr. Lambirth fired the defendant for breaching the terms of the contract. On May 25, 2005, the defendant drove to Dr. Lambirth's house after work. Dr. Lambirth was not home but his girlfriend, Christina (Chrissy) Wittich was home. The defendant Flick entered the couple's home and shot Chrissy two times, killing her.
The three-week trial resulted in the jury convicting Michael Flick of murdering Chrissy Wittich and recommended that he serve a life sentence. Listen as the prosecutors, Lou Anna Red Corn and Shawna Virgin, discuss the investigation and trial of this tragedy on American D.A.- LIVE.
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| Death Row Inmate of the Week |
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Marco Chapman
30 at the time
Male, White |
On the morning of August 23, 2002, this killer murdered a seven-year-old girl and a six-year-old boy in their home in Warsaw, Kentucky. Both of the children's throats had been slit and they suffered multiple lacerations and stab wounds on their bodies. Their ten-year-old sister played dead after also being stabbed several times. The hands of the mother were bound with duct tape and she was tied to the bed frame. She was raped and stabbed in the chest with a knife that broke off in her chest. She was later stabbed with a larger knife and left for dead.
After stabbing the victims, the killer burglarized the home and left the scene. He was arrested later the same day in West Virginia.
Chapman was sentenced to Death on December 14, 2004. |
| Recent Court News |
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| "Baby, Just Give Me All Your Money..."
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Charles Sanford |
Charles Sanford, 45, was into dressing up and robbing banks. His scheme worked for a while, until he was arrested by the Lexington Police Department and indicted by the Fayette County Grand Jury for seven counts of Robbery. Ultimately Sanford's downfall was a vehicle that he had purchased with the money from one of the banks he robbed.
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Bank video of Charles Sanford dressed in costume | Sanford dressed up in several different outfits to rob local banks, including a female blond wig, a surgical mask, and sunglasses. He would enter the bank, display a gun, and tell the bank teller, "Baby, just give me all your money."
Witnesses gave a variety of descriptions of Sanford because of the costume-like clothing he wore during the robberies. There was evidence, however, of a maroon SUV that had been used at several of the banks. Sanford had even placed a handicap pass on the vehicle.
Lexington detectives eventually identified the vehicle and its owner. Sanford pled guilty to several counts of Robbery and Persistent Felony Offender. Criminal records show Sanford has a prior felony conviction for Criminal Possession of a Forged Instrument and seven misdemeanors including Theft by Deception, Forgery, and Resisting Arrest. He was sentenced to twenty years in prison and ordered to pay over $11,000 in restitution.
Article Written by Intern Gwen Massie
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| CRIME ANALYSIS: Statistics Tell A Story |
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Homicides Are Usually Races Victimizing Their Own Race
by Maureen Ratliff
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Maureen Ratliff | The statistics show that 80% of the homicides in Lexington since 1986 were committed by a member of a race victimizing a member of their own race. During that time period, 331 homicides were committed in which there was a serious suspect. In those 331 homicides, when broken down, the race of the suspect and the victim confirm those findings.
There were 63, or 20%, of the homicides which occurred between races.
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331 homicides |
114 black suspects |
114 black victims |
35% of homicides |
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331 homicides |
136 white suspects |
136 white victims |
40% of homicides |
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331 homicides |
18 Hispanic suspects |
18 Hispanic victims |
5% of homicides | |
| Office News |
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Financial Crimes Task Force Fills A Huge Void
by Andrea Mattingly Williams
There seemed to be more and more complaints of being ripped-off. Victims didn't know where to turn. Recognizing the need to address this increasing number of financial crime complaints, state, federal and local porosecutors and law enforcement joined forces to create the Fayette County Financial Crimes Task Force.
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Members of the Fayette Commonwealth's Attorney's Office Fayette County Financial Crimes Task Force |
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Lori Boling |
Brad Bryant |
Andrea Mattingly Williams |
Jason Moore |
James Havey |
The Financial Crimes Task Force was created after a meeting attended by local, state and federal investigators and prosecutors at the Fayette Commonwealth's Attorney's Office on March 7, 2007. At the meeting, the group determined that a task force would be beneficial in investigating and prosecuting financial crimes due to their time-consuming nature and complexity of issues.
The task force consists of persons from the U.S. Secret Service, F.B.I., Kentucky Revenue Department, Office of Financial Institutions, Lexington Police Department, Fayette County Sheriff's Department, U.S. Postal Inspector, FDIC, Central Bank, U.S. Attorney's Office, Fayette Commonwealth's Attorney's Office and the Fayette County Attorney's Office.
The task force first met as a group in April of 2007. At the initial meeting, the group decided to hold a monthly meeting on the second Friday of each month with the Commonwealth's Attorney's Office hosting the event. The task force also determined the types of cases which would be reviewed.
The task force has discussed many types of cases, including mortgage fraud, insurance fraud, fraudulent postal and money orders, employee thefts, securities fraud, and internet fraud.
Since its inception, the Financial Crimes Task Force has had ten meetings and discussed over 20 cases for possible prosecution and investigation. The task force successfully investigated and prosecuted Shirley Bachelor, who stole over $1 million from Glenn Auto Mall. Two other cases are currently working their way through the legal system that were discussed by the group. The task force is currently investigating several cases for possible prosecution on either and/or both the state and federal levels. |
| Cops & Robbers News & Trends |
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| The Cost Of Illegal Aliens In The Criminal Justice System
 Two dozen counties along the U.S.-Mexican border from Texas to California say the cost of catching, arresting and convicting illegal alliens is crippling their court systems. From 1999 through 2006, the 24 counties spent a staggering $1,230,000,000 to process these criminals through the law enforcement and court system.
It's all about the criminal justice costs associated with criminal aliens.
Editor's Comment: That's a lot of money that should have been otherwise used to educate their kids, improve their roads, and provide for the public safety of their communities. |
Fayette Circuit Court Sentencings
Friday, March 7, 2008 |
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| 3rd Division - Judge James D. Ishmael, Jr. | |
| BLACK, Joseph Michael
Age: 19
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| Sentenced to 12 months in jail for the prosecution's amended charge of 3rd Degree Criminal Trespassing, probated 3 years. | |
| LYNN, Nathan Bradley
Age: 27
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| Sentenced to 12 months in jail for each of 4 counts of Receiving Stolen Property < $300, and 12 months in jail for Theft By Deception < $300, probated 2 years. | |
| MOORE, Jordan Allen
Age: 20
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| Sentenced to 2 years in prison for the prosecution's amended charge of 3rd Degree Burglary, probated 3 years. | |
| RALEIGH, Vivian Lynn
Age: 45
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| REPEAT OFFENDER. Sentenced to 12 months in jail for the prosecution's amended charge of Facilitation to Commit Forgery 1st Degree, 5 years in prison enhanced to 5 years for the prosecution's amended charge of 2nd Degree Criminal Possession of a Forged Instrument and status as a Persistent Felony Offender, and 1 year in prison for 1st Degree Promoting Contraband. Last 2 sentences are to run concurrent for a total of 6 years in prison, probated 5 years. | |
| STEPHENS, Saucha Danielle
Age: 35
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| Sentenced to 1 year in prison for 1st Degree Possession of a Controlled Substance and a $100 fine for 3rd Degree Criminal Trespassing. Sent to prison. | |
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| 4th Division - Judge Pamela Goodwine | |
| ALEXANDER, Susan J.
Age: 30
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| Sentenced to 1 year in prison for Fraudulent Use of Credit Cards > $100 within a 6 month period, probated 3 years. Required to pay restitution of $1,391.36 and enter and complete Drug Court. | |
| FLOYD, Parker Charles
Age: 50
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| Sentenced to 1 year in prison for Flagrant Non-Support, probated 3 years. | |
| JIMENEZ-MARTINEZ, Gabriel A.
Age: 24
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| Sentenced to 1 year in prison for 2nd Degree Criminal Possession of a Forged Instrument and 12 months in jail for the prosecution's amended charge of Criminal Attempt Theft of Identity of Another without Consent. Sentences are to run concurrent for a total of 1 year in prison. Sent to prison. | |
| STANSBERRY, Amber Renee
Age: 23
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| Sentenced to 1 year in prison for Theft By Unlawful Taking > $300, probated 3 years. Required to pay restitution of $3,000, maintain full-time employment, and attend a re-entry program. | |
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| 7th Division - Judge Sheila R. Isaac | |
| WILSON, Kristall Helynn
Age: 29
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| Sentenced to 3 years in prison for the prosecution's amended charge of Facilitation to Commit Robbery, probated 3 years. | |
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| 8th Division - Judge Thomas L. Clark | |
| BEATTIE, James Lee
Age: 27
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| Sentenced to 1 year in prison for Flagrant Non-Support, probated 4 years. | |
| LEWYN, Bryan Printiss
Age: 27
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| Sentenced to 1 year in prison for Theft By Unlawful Taking > $300, probated 5 years. Required to pay restitution of $6,000. | |
| MORALES, Gregorio Romero
Age: 27
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| Sentenced to 2 1/2 years in prison for the prosecution's amended charge of 2nd Degree Assault Under Extreme Emotional Disturbance. Sent to prison. | |
| NEWTON, Danny Offutt Jr.
Age: 30
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| Sentenced to 1 year in prison for each of 3 counts of Theft By Deception > $300, and 12 months in jail for each of 2 counts of the prosecution's amended charge of Theft By Deception < $300. First 3 counts are to run consecutive for a total of 3 years in prison. Required to pay restitution of $13,663.16. Sent to prison. | |
| WARD, Alecia Daniele
Age: 27
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| Sentenced to 5 years in prison for 1st Degree Trafficking in a Controlled Substance, 1 year in prison for 3rd Degree Possession of a Controlled Substance, 12 months in jail for the prosecution's amended charge of Criminal Attempt Possession of a Controlled Substance, 12 months in jail for the prosecution's amended charge of 3rd Degree Possession of a Controlled Substance, and 7 days in jail for Operating a Motor Vehicle Under the Influence of Alcohol/Drugs. First 2 sentences are to run consecutive for a total of 6 years in prison, probated 5 years. Required to enter and complete Drug Court, license is to be suspended for 1 year, and required to pay a fine of $350. | |
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| 9th Division - Judge Kimberly Bunnell | |
| ADAMS, Harold Marshall
Age: 41
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| Sentenced to 4 years in prison for Flagrant Non-Support. Sent to prison. | |
| GREENE, Shawn Gregory Jr.
Age: 20
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| Sentenced to 10 years in prison for the prosecution's amended charge of 2nd Degree Robbery, 1 year in prison for Tampering with Physical Evidence, and 1 year in prison for Receiving Stolen Property > $300. Sentences are to run concurrent for a total of 10 years in prison. Required to pay restitution of $617. Sent to prison. | |
| RODRIGUEZ, Miguel
Age: 26
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| Sentenced to 1 year in prison for 1st Degree Possession of a Controlled Substance, 1 year in prison for 2nd Degree Criminal Possession of a Forged Instrument, and 2 days in jail for Operating a Motor Vehicle Under the Influence of Alcohol/Drugs. Sentences are to run concurrent for a total of 1 year in prison. Sent to prison. | |
| SMITH, Johnny
Age: 45
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| Sentenced to 2 years in prison for Theft By Unlawful Taking > $300 and 12 months in jail for Possession of Burglary Tools. Sent to prison. | |
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Fayette Commonwealth's Attorney
