| Criminal Justice News |
Every Thursday --
Message from
Ray the D.A.
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| American D.A. - LIVE
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Forensic Friday
Every other Friday 9 am
WVLK 590 AM |
| Officer Don's Crime Prevention Tip |
Test Your "Street Smarts" IQ
Do you jog or walk early in the morning or late at night when the streets are quiet and deserted?
Do you think it's a waste of time to lock your car when you'll be back in a few minutes?
If you answered "yes" to either of these questions, you need to change a few habits.Trust your instincts.
If something or someone makes you uneasy, avoid the person or leave.
Stick to well-traveled streets. Avoid shortcuts through wooded areas, parking lots, or alleys.
Have to work late? Make sure there are others in the building and ask someone to walk you to your car or transit stop. |
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| Meet the Summer 2008 Interns |
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University of Kentucky - Senior, Accounting |
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Hannah Hodges |
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University of Kentucky, College of Law - 2L |
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Andolyn Johnson |
| University of Kentucky - Senior, Public Relations & Spanish |
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Sharletta Mahone |
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University of Kentucky, College of Law - 2L |
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Stephanie Tew |
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Northern Kentucky University, Salmon P. Chase College of Law - 3L |
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Daniel Whitley |
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Florida A & M University, College of Law - 2L |
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Danielle Yannelli |
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Campbellsville University - Senior, Political Science & Broadcast Journalism | | |
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 Welcome to our E-Newsletter
Feel free to forward our E-Newsletter to others. |
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TOP STORIES
"The Real Deal" Intern Series
Episode 3: COMPSTAT Report.
"The Real Deal" Intern Series
Episode 4: Video Arraignments - defendants' first appearance and motions to reduce bond.
"The Real Deal" Intern Series
Episode 5: Police Ride-Along.
"The Real Deal" Intern Series
Episode 6: Pretrial Conferences.
Crime-Fighters' Sharp Eye Out Department
Worried neighbors in Nashville high-crime areas speak out about persistent street crime. Cops & Robbers News From Across America
Criminal justice news and trends from around the country.
Meet Lexington's Felony Prosecutors
Jason D. Moore prosecuted in Bell County for 1 1/2 years, now deals with drug cases.
Death Row Inmate Of The Week
Donald Johnson brutally murdered a 62-year-old woman because she refused to let him use the phone.
Immigration Update
One Lexingtonian's outrageous experience with an illegal, unlicensed and uninsured driver.
Office News
Financial Crime is a BIG DEAL to the victims. Over 80% of businesses who are the victims of employee-embezzlement never recover. Training for investigators and prosecutors is critical to successful prosecutions.
Information Center
Want to know what cases were Indicted, Dismissed, or Transferred Back To District Court by the Grand Jury and what cases are set for trial? Check it out here.
Last Week's Circuit Court Sentencings
Who went to prison and who was probated. |
| "The Real Deal" Intern Series - Episode 3 |
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COMPSTAT Report
 By Intern Stephanie Tew
Prosecutor interns Stephanie Tew and Daniel Whitley accompanied Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney Dan Laren to the COMPSTAT meeting at the Lexington Police Department on May 21, 2008. COMPSTAT is a monthly meeting held at the Lexington Police Department headquarters in downtown Lexington.
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| "The Real Deal" Intern Series - Episode 4 |
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Video Arraignments: Defendants' First Appearance And Motions To Reduce Bond
 By Intern Hannah Hodges
Jeff Caudill and I had the chance to watch prosecutors prepare for arraignments. An arraignment is the next step in the criminal justice process after an individual has been arrested. It consists of the formal readings of criminal charges, the defendant's initial plea to charges, bail determination and appointing of counsel for indigent
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Hannah and Jeff with Judge Pamela Goodwine | defendants. Today, thanks to technology, arraignments no longer have to involve the costly and time-consuming measures of transporting a defendant from jail to the Courtroom for his or her arraignment. Now, the defendant is able to take part in his arraignment via video conferencing. The judge, defense counsel, and prosecutor all still convene in the courtroom for the procedure.
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| "The Real Deal" Intern Series - Episode 5 |
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Police Ride-Along
 By Intern Sharletta Mahone
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Sharletta ready to begin the Ride-Along with Officer Burks. |
When I learned there was a police ride-along scheduled, I did not really know what to expect. I was, however, pleasantly surprised with what I learned about the dedicated officers who serve this community. I had the privilege of riding with Officer David Burks, who was assigned a beat in the Central Sector of Lexington.
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| "The Real Deal" Intern Series - Episode 6 |
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Pretrial Conferences
 By Intern Daniel Whitley
The interns attended pre-trial conferences with the Assistant Commonwealth's Attorneys at the Fayette Circuit
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Daniel and Brad meet with a defendant and his attorney. |
Courthouse. I went with Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney Brad Bryant. A pretrial conference is a meeting between the prosecutor, the defendant and the defendant's attorney. During these conferences the prosecutor meets with the defendant to discuss the evidence against him or her and inform them of the Commonwealth's recommended sentence if he or she chooses to plead guilty. What made this experience so interesting was the "lawyering" that took place. I did not realize how much negotiations took place between the prosecutor and the defense counsel.
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 Crime-Fighters' Sharp Eye Out Department |
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Worried Neighbors In Nashville High-Crime Areas Speak Out About Persistent Street Crime
The same is being said by the residents of the high-crime neighborhoods in Lexington - BUT NOBODY SEEMS TO BE LISTENING!
Excerpted from Nashville Tennessean, Columnist Dwight Lewis, May 25, 2008
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Dwight Lewis | It was "straight" talk about crime in Nashville's urban areas -- unfortunately, where most of the city's violent crime occurs. It took place at a town-hall meeting about a "War on Violence."
Nashville Metro Police Chief Ronal Serpas told the group that, although Nashville is now safer than anytime since the 1990's, he was just as frustrated about the crime as the neighborhood residents, mostly because repeat offenders are being put right back on the streets.
He said, "We arrest people over and over who have been convicted, but they are soon back out on the streets . . . 41% of the people we arrest have been convicted of crimes before . . . Convicts are often released from prison after serving only a short portion of their sentence. . . We cannot solve this without the assistance of the legislature."
Editor's Comment: And what do our legislators, editorial writers, law professors and Frankfort policy-makers want to do? Let' em out of prison as fast as they can. Street crime doesn't seem to be a great concern in their neighborhoods. Nope, it is mostly a real fear in Lexington's high-crime neighborhoods - which, unfortunately, are mostly lower socio-economic and predominately minority. |
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Cops & Robbers News From Across America |
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Andolyn Johnson |
Information collected from around the country by Ray Larson and prepared by Andolyn Johnson.
May 1-18, 2008 Crime Stats Up
 There was a 5.1% increase in the 2008 Part I crimes during the first half of May, 2008 when compared to the same time period in 2007. Eight more robberies and 31 more larceny offenses contributed to that increase.
Editor's Comment: We hope this is an exception. However, with the proposed release of prison inmates by prison officials, we can expect more of these increases in crime.
Three State Study: Sentencing Guidelines Eliminate Bias
 State sentencing guidelines virtually eliminate discrimination in criminal punishments, says a new study from the national center for state courts. At least 20 states use guidelines that consider the nature of the offense and the defendant's criminal history when determining a defendant's sentence.
Editor's Comment: It would be great if convicted criminals were required to serve their entire sentence or at least 85% of it. Right now in Kentucky, it's the Parole Board that determines how long a defendant must serve.
Pennsylvania Debate: Would Elimination of Parole Prevent Crime?
 Violent offender? No parole. That is the idea being debated in Pennsylvania. One representative said, "The very system of parole no longer works, and we have to make drastic changes to the system." Under this plan, parole and early release programs would be eliminated for any offender convicted of rape, robbery, murder, aggravated assault, or any crime with a gun.
Editor's Comment: Sounds like a great plan to me. The public is entitled to believe that people who commit these violent crimes will be off the streets for as long as possible.
Seattle Police Training Force, "The Threat Of Terrorists To The World"
 A Miami based company is providing this training for Seattle law enforcement. It is billed as providing insight into the formative phases of Islam, the religion's different branches, radical Islam, and how to respond to terrorist acts.
The two-day program covers the history of Islam to provide an understanding of the terror mind set and reasons for global Jihad. It is not intended to be an all-inclusive course on Islam.
Editor's Comment: Terrorism both external and internal remains a great concern. Anything law enforcement can do to educate themselves about identifying threats should be done. Good for Seattle.
Indianapolis Sheriff E-mailing Sex Offender Residence Alerts
 The Marion County Sheriff is sending e-mails to anyone who wants alerts whenever a sex offender moves into their neighborhood. "I don't want to scare anyone," the Sheriff said, "but I do want our community to have the resources they need to keep our children safe."
Editor's Comment: We simply cannot effectively prosecute crime without the cooperation of witnesses. Any person who threatens a witness to a crime should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
Witness Refusal To Cooperate With Law Enforcement Hinders Prosecutions
 Witnesses to killings and other violent crimes refusal to cooperate with police investigations is driving down the rate of solved murders throughout the country, according to police officials. In a survey of 76 police agencies, 78% reported a decrease in willingness to testify by witnesses, and a 45% drop in the rate of solved cases.
Editor's Comment: We simply cannot effectively prosecute crime without the cooperation of witnesses. Any person who threatens a witness to a crime should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
DNA Machine Speeds Process And Reduces Backlog
 An M-48 machine is a large rectangular machine that resembles a doughnut box with a see-through window. It delicately extracts DNA. The M-48 machine does in an hour what it would take dozens of technicians to do in several weeks.
For example, in Massachusetts during the last three months of 2006, 112 DNA cases were completed. With the M-48, that figure soared to 330 completed DNA cases in the first three months of 2008.
Editor's Comment: The speed with which DNA technology is advancing is breathtaking. These improvements in the speed with which DNA testing can be completed will vastly improve law enforcement's capability of solving crimes.
With Copper Costs Rising, Scrap Yards Are Being Watched By Law Enforcement
 A swell in the cost of copper has caused a boom for scrap yards and put pressure on law enforcement to crack down on thieves plundering construction sites and abandoned buildings for the suddenly valuable metal. The metal is often melted down and sold to scrap yards which makes the copper difficult to track where it was taken.
Editor's Comment: Lexington scrap yards are required by city ordinance to keep track of who brings loads of metal to be sold. |
| Meet Lexington's Felony Prosecutors |
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Jason D. Moore |
Jason Dean Moore is from Hopkinsville, Kentucky. He graduated from Transylvania University with a degree in Business Administration and a minor in Political Science. He earned his law degree from the University of Kentucky and has been a prosecutor for three years.
Jason previously prosecuted in Bell County. He has developed an expertise in the prosecution of drug crimes. He joined the Fayette Commonwealth's Attorney's Office in October of 2006.
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| Death Row Inmate Of The Week |
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What did this killer do to convince a jury to sentence him to death?
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Donald Herb Johnson
22 at the time
Male, White | Donald Herb Johnson murdered a 62-year-old laundry attendant in Floyd County in 1989. Johnson went into the Laundromat where the victim worked and asked to use the phone. After she refused, telling him that the place was closed, Johnson stabbed her at least 24 times, repeatedly bit her, beat her, and then disemboweled her. Her body was so disfigured that a co-worker of 13 years was unable to identify her. It was determined that the victim had also been sexually assaulted.
Johnson was sentenced to Death on October 1, 1997.
That's what he did. He sentenced himself to death. |
| Immigration Update |
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Here Is One Lexingtonian's Experience With An Illegal Unlicensed And Uninsured Driver
 We recently received this e-mail from a frustrated Lexingtonian: "My email is to complain because I am now among the many victims of illegal aliens in our community.
Two weeks ago I was rear-ended by a male Hispanic. He had no driver's license. He presented a Safe Auto Insurance Card. He was given a ticket for No Operator's License. The next day I discovered that his insurance had been cancelled in March. So, when he hit me, he had no insurance either.
A little investigation revealed that this guy had outstanding warrants for non-payment of fines for the same charges, just a different victim. I filed a criminal complaint for a summons but was told that restitution would not be sought against this guy for the damage to my car.
Luckily, no one was hurt and I am only out $1,000. Anything I can do to get a handle on this illegal alien problem - just let me know."
Editor's Comment: So, there you go! Some guy in our country illegally driving with no driver's license, no insurance, has a wreck and nothing is being done about it. Ever wonder why our citizens are frustrated and losing faith in our government? There you have it!
Phoenix Police Expand Illegal Immigration Enforcement
 Under a new policy, Phoenix police can now contact Immigration and Customs Enforcement when they suspect a person to be in the country illegally. This shift in policy is expected to increase the number of illegal aliens deported from the U.S. Under the new policy, everyone arrested in Phoenix will be questioned about his or her citizenship. If an officer makes contact with someone who did not commit a crime but is still believed to be in the country illegally, the officer can give ICE that person's contact information.
North Carolina Pushes Ban On Illegals Attending Community Colleges
 While many other states are struggling with the issue of illegal aliens and illegal immigrants and the drain on government resources and services, North Carolina is moving ahead with its interpretation of a federal law that the state says bars illegal immigrants from attending state community colleges. |
| Office News |
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| Financial Crime Is A BIG DEAL To The Victims
Over 80% of businesses who are the victims of employee-embezzlement never recover. Training for investigators and prosecutors is critical to successful prosecutions.
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Andrea Mattingly Williams |
Assistant Fayette Commonwealth's Attorney Andrea Mattingly Williams was an instructor at the Kentucky Office of Financial Institutions' (OFI) White Collar Crime School. The training was designed for law enforcement personnel who are involved in the investigation and prosecution of financial fraud.
Ms. Williams heads-up the Fayette County Financial Crimes Task Force, and has been instrumental in the successful investigation and prosecution of a number of financial crimes in and around the Lexington area.
The Fayette County Financial Crimes Task Force brings together federal, state and local prosecutors and law enforcement to coordinate the effective investigation and prosecution of financial crime cases at both the federal and state levels. |
| Information Center |
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To see the latest Grand Jury returns, including Indictments, Dismissals, and cases Returned to District Court, click on the dates below:
The Fayette Commonwealth's Attorney's Office Criminal Trial Schedule is updated each Monday. To see our trial schedule, click here. |
Fayette Circuit Court Sentencings Wednesday, May 21, 2008 and Friday, May 23, 2008 |
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| 3rd Division- Judge James Ishmael | |
| BONNETT, Melissa J.
Age: 30
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| Sentenced to 12 months in jail for the prosecution's amended charge of False Statement/Representation to Received Benefits <$100, probated for 2 years and ordered to pay $4,219.00 in restitution. | |
| GUEST, Latoya Katrice
Age: 34
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| Sentenced to 12 months in jail for the prosecution's amended charge of an Alford Plea to Criminal Facilitation to 2nd degree Criminal Possession of a Forged Instrument, probated for 2 years. | |
| HICKLE, Melissa Ann
Age: 26
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| Sentenced to 2 years in prison for Theft By Unlawful Taking >$300, probated for 5 years. | |
| JONES, David Tyrone
Age: 38
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| REPEAT OFFENDER. Sentenced to 5 years in prison for Tampering With Physical Evidence and status as a Persistent Felony Offender and 12 months in jail for the prosecution's amended charge of Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, to run concurrently for a total of 5 years. Sent to prison. | |
| 4th Division - Judge Pamela Goodwine | |
| HALL, Deborah Sue
Age: 43
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| REPEAT OFFENDER. Sentenced to 5 years in prison for the prosecution's amended charge of Possession of a Controlled Substance and status as a Persistent Felony Offender and 12 months in jail for Possession of Drug Paraphernalia 1st Offense, to run concurrently for a total of 5 years, probated for 5 years. | |
| HUGHES, Mackenzie
Age: 30
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| Sentenced to 12 months in jail for the prosecution's amended charge of Theft By Unlawful Taking <$300, probated for 2 years. | |
| KING, Byron Lee
Age: 43
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| Sentenced to 5 years in prison for Operating Motor Vehicle Under the Influence of Alcohol/Drugs 4th Offense, 90 days in jail for Operating on Suspended/Revoked Operator's License and 90 days in jail for 1st degree Failure of Non-Owner Operator to Maintain Required Insurance, to run concurrently for a total of 5 years. Sent to prison. | |
| MULLINS, Alisha Marie
Age: 27
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| Sentenced to 12 months in jail for the prosecution's amended charge of Criminal Attempt Tampering With Physical Evidence and 12 months in jail for Possession of Marijuana, to run concurrently for a total of 12 months, probated for 2 years. | |
RUSSELL, Sherry Ann
Age: 39 |
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| Sentenced to 4 years in prison for Theft By Deception >$300 and 6 months in jail for the prosecution's amended charge of Giving Officer False Name/Address, to run concurrently for a total of 4 years, probated for 5 years. | |
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| 7th Division - Judge Sheila Isaac | |
| ARNETT, Taylor Jr.
Age: 53
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| Sentenced to 1 year in prison for the prosecution's amended charge of Possession of a Controlled Substance, 12 months in jail for the prosecution's amended charge of Possession of Marijuana and 12 months in jail for Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, to run concurrently for a total of 1 year, probated for 3 years. | |
| BELL, Maria Latrice
Age: 32
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| Sentenced to 3 years in prison for the prosecution's amended charge of 2nd degree Criminal Abuse. Sent to prison. | |
STEPHENSON, Michael Richard
Age: 30 |
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| Sentenced to 2 years in prison for 1st degree Possession of a Controlled Substance 1st Offense, probated for 5 years. | |
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| 8th Division - Judge Thomas L. Clark | |
BROWN, Frank Cisco Jr.
Age: 37 |
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| Sentenced to 5 years in prison for the prosecution's amended charge of Trafficking in Marijuana without a Firearm, 2 years in prison for the prosecution's amended charge of Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon, to run consecutively for a total of 7 years and 12 months in jail for Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, to run concurrently, probated for 5 years. | |
BROWN, Lucian Lee
Age: 67 |
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| Sentenced to 20 years in prison for Failure to Comply with Sex Offender Registration 2nd or > Offense and status as a Persistent Felony Offender. Sent to prison. | |
COOK, Richard W.
Age: 31 |
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| Sentenced to 2 years in prison for Receiving Stolen Property >$300, probated for 4 years. | |
| DE LA MORA, Antonio Torres
Age: 25
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| ILLEGAL ALIEN. Sentenced to 1 year in prison for Trafficking in Marijuana, 8 oz. to <5 lbs. 1st Offense, 12 months in jail for the prosecution's amended charge of Criminal Attempt to 2nd degree Trafficking in a Controlled Substance and 12 months in jail for Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, all counts to run concurrently for a total of 1 year. Sent to prison. IMMIGRATION, CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT (ICE) NOTIFIED. | |
JOHNSON, Anthony Andre
Age: 36 |
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| Sentenced to 1 year in prison for each of 3 counts of Flagrant Non Support, to run consecutively for a total of 3 years, probated for 5 years. Ordered to pay $43,801.36 in arrears. | |
RICHARDSON, Cory S.
Age: 18 |
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| Sentenced to 3 years in prison for 3rd degree Burglary, probated for 4 years. | |
| 9th Division - Judge Kimberly Bunnell | |
| ARGRETT, Ruby Dreux
Age: 37
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| Sentenced to 12 months in jail for the prosecution's amended charge of Reckless Neglect of an Adult by Person, probated for 2 years. | |
| EDWARDS, Bennie Anthony
Age: 37 |
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| Sentenced to 1 year in prison for Flagrant Non Support, probated for 5 years. Ordered to pay $26,90.48 in arrears. | |
| HARRIS, Justin D.
Age: 22
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| Sentenced to 5 years in prison for Attempted 1st degree Robbery, 12 months in jail for each of the prosecution's amended charge of two counts of Trafficking in Marijuana <8ounces, to run concurrently for a total of 5 years. Sent to prison. | |
| HOGAN, Tory Sendell
Age: 22
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| Sentenced to 1 year in prison for Theft By Unlawful Taking >$300 and 12 months in jail for the prosecution's amended charge of Attempted Theft By Unlawful Taking >$300, to run concurrently for a total of 1 year, probated for 5 years, Ordered to serve 60 days in jail. Ordered to pay $3,804.07 in restitution. | |
| POWERS, Markesha Deshae
Age: 38 |
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| Sentenced to 12 months in jail for the prosecution's amended charge of Criminal Attempt Making False Statement to Obtain Increase of Benefits >$100, probated for 2 years. Ordered to pay $6,935.00 in restitution. | |
| RICHARD, James Thomas Jr.
Age: 21 |
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| Sentenced to 5 years in prison for the prosecution's amended charge of 3rd degree Sodomy. 20 year sex offender registrant. Sent to prison. | |
| SMITH, Quinston Warren
Age: 52 |
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| Sentenced to 2 years in prison for the prosecution's amended charge of Failure to Comply with Sex Offender Registry 1st Offense. Sent to prison. | |
| TALAVERA, Carla Rae
Age: 47
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| Sentenced to 5 years in prison for Tampering With Physical Evidence and 12 months in jail for the prosecution's amended charge of Facilitation to 2nd degree Burglary, probated for 5 years. Ordered to pay $1,236.86 in restitution. | |
| TOWLES, Tracy W.
Age: 39
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| Sentenced to 7 years in prison for the prosecution's amended charge of 2nd degree Burglary and 12 months in jail for the prosecution's amended charge of Facilitation to Tampering With Physical Evidence, to run concurrently for a total of 7 years, probated for 5 years. Ordered to pay $1,236.86 in restitution. | |
| WRIGHT, Louise Hart
Age: 47
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| Sentenced to 2 years in prison for Theft By Deception >$300 and 12 months in jail for Use/Possession of Drug Paraphernalia 1st Offense, to run concurrently for a total of 2 years, probated for 5 years. Order to pay $10,104.36 in restitution. | | | |
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