| Criminal Justice News |
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Every Thursday -- check WKYT.com for the latest "A 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 |
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Officer Don's Crime Prevention Tip |
Gangs
Parents can do a lot to prevent gang problems or to reduce gang-related consequences. Most important, there's a lot parents can do to keep their child from joining a gang:
Learn about gangs and signs of gang activity;
Sharpen your parenting skills and use them;
Join with others to make or keep your neighborhood gang-free.
Some signs of gang involvement:
Specific colors or emblems on jackets, hats, etc.;
Special hand signals;
Unique symbols and lettering on tattoos;
Gang symbols on walls such as graffiti or on books or clothing;
Clothing (hats, bandannas, etc.) suggesting group or gang involvement;
Possession of unexplained large sums of money;
Change(s) in attitude: violent reactions, disruptive behavior, refusal to respond to authority (teachers, police, parents) etc.;
Secretive behavior by your child regarding activities and locations;
Change(s) in friends or friends who are not brought home;
Truancy or poor school performance;
Phone calls from individuals who either refuse to identify themselves, give unusual nicknames, or use a nickname to identify your child;
Negative contact with school officials and law enforcement officers;
Involvement with known or suspected gang members;
Interest in or possession of weapons (guns, knives, etc.). |
| Sheriff Kathy Witt |
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Fugitives Wanted by the Fayette County Sheriff's Office
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WANTED |
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Deandrae Cortez McCray |
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Robbery 1st |
DOB: 12/14/1988
Race: Black
Sex: Male
Height: 5'10"
Weight: 185
Hair: Black
Eyes: Brown |
Click here to see who is wanted by the Fayette County Sheriff's Office. |
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TOP STORIES
The Crime-Fighters' Fact-Checker
Fact-Finder keeping a sharp eye on Frankfort's "soft-on-crime" efforts. Latest "soft-on-criminals" goal aimed at watering-down Kentucky's repeat offender law.
American DA - LIVE News
American DA - LIVE: Behind the scenes of America's most notorious criminal trials.
Criminal Justice News & Views
Lexington's serious crime rate for September 1st - 14th jumped 26.76% over the same time last year.
Meet Kentucky's Felony Prosecutors
Bruce Kuegel, Commonwealth's Attorney for Daviess County.
Recent Court Case
"Frog Gigging" bank robber sentenced to probation. Defendant already on probation when arrested.
Death Row Inmate Of The Week
This killer and an accomplice executed a teenage female and two male victims inside a home they were remodeling, and then attempted to throw thier bodies off a bridge.
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.
Who is on Home Incarceration in Lexington?
Convicted criminals in the Home Incarceration Program (HIP) in Lexington. Last Week's Circuit Court Sentencings
Who went to prison and who was probated. |
| The Crime-Fighters' Fact-Checker |
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 Fact-Checker Keeping A Sharp Eye On Frankfort's "Soft-On-Crime" Efforts
Latest "Soft-On-Criminals" Goal Aimed At Watering-Down Kentucky's Repeat Offender Law
That may be okay for those who live in high-priced, low-crime neighborhoods, but what about our fellow-citizens who live in the low-priced, high-crime neighborhoods? Don't they deserve to be protected from predatory repeat offenders too? Not only are our elected leaders in Frankfort and their appointed policy-makers rushing to release prison inmates as fast as they can, but now it appears that the Sentencing Committee of the Kentucky Criminal Justice Council wants to severely weaken our Persistent Felony Offender (PFO) law. Once again, they rely on the opinion of Robert Lawson.
Robert G. Lawson is a law school professor at the University of Kentucky. In his most recent article "PFO Law Reform, Crucial First Step Toward Sentencing Sanity in Kentucky," scheduled to be published in the Kentucky Law Journal in late 2008, he writes that, in his opinion, sentencing laws in Kentucky "are not right," and cry out for reform.
That, of course, is his opinion, and the opinion of so many who live in relatively safe, crime-free, and well-to-do neighborhoods in which crime is not an issue. But, for the rest of us, the PFO law does exactly what we want -- it protects us from predatory repeat offenders.
Kentucky's PFO law is intended to increase the sentences of predatory repeat-felony offenders. And it does.
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Repeat Offenders in Lexington, 1996-2007 |
| Number of Repeat Offenders prosecuted from 1996-2007 |
3,212 |
| Number of prior felony & misdemeanor convictions by this group |
45,202 |
| Average number of prior convictions each |
14.07 |
| Conviction rate of Repeat Offenders |
97.9% |
| Average sentence for Repeat Offenders |
7.4 years |
It is important that Lawson's article demanding PFO (Repeat Offender) Law Reform be examined for accuracy. He selected 20 individuals who were charged under Kentucky's PFO law as Repeat Offenders.
Lawson's goal is to use those cases to support his opinion that the PFO law is an example of "abuse of power and loss of commonsense," and "unguided prosecutorial discretion." Well, let's just examine the cases Lawson cites:
| Lawson's article says: |
 Darnell Jackson
He was accused of taking goods from Dillard's Department Store and was indicted for Theft and PFO 1st (with Knowingly Receiving Stolen Property and low level Burglary as prior convictions). He was sentenced to one year in prison for Theft, had this sentence enhanced to 10 years under the PFO and was sent to state prison for 10 years for Theft of Goods. |
 A review of Jackson's criminal record revealed: |
20 prior convictions.
Originally placed on probation.
Given the opportunity of Drug Court.
Revoked after 3rd revocation hearing.
Paroled after serving 2.5 years. | CLICK HERE for the rest of the story on these repeat offenders. |
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American DA - LIVE News |
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American DA - LIVE: Behind The Scenes Of America's Most Notorious Criminal Trials
  By Interns Andolyn Johnson & Cortney Roehrs
American DA - LIVE, hosted by Commonwealth's Attorney Ray Larson and WVLK's Jack Pattie, highlights infamous criminal cases from around America and criminal justice issues in an hour-long talk radio show that reveals details about the investigation and prosecution as well as astonishing inside information.
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Ray Larson and Jack Pattie | Every other Friday morning at 9 a.m., Lexington has the opportunity to tune in to News/Talk 590 to hear Mr. Larson, Mr. Pattie and a special guest discuss the gripping facts of some of our nations most fascinating and heinous crimes. Prosecutors, law enforcement, and specialists from all over the country offer stories that the community rarely gets to hear. The show is also available to listeners online at www.lexingtonprosecutor.com. The public's interest in the show has made it a favorite among the nation's prosecutors as well as local listeners for almost four years.
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Jeffrey Dahmer |
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BTK Killer |
The first show aired on December 10, 2004. Since then, Mr. Larson and Mr. Pattie have talked with Jim Brazelton, the District Attorney who tried Scott Peterson for the murder of his wife and unborn child. They have discussed the cases of notorious serial killers such as Jeffrey Dahmer, Ted Bundy, and BTK killer Dennis Rader with the prosecutors involved. A show in 2005 discussed the case of Aileen Wuornos, the first female serial killer, who was later played by Charlize Theron in the movie Monster. The show has also played host to the prosecutors in the Columbine High School shootings and the Oklahoma City Bombing cases.
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Michael Jackson |
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Scott Peterson | Several cases involving celebrities have been discussed on American DA - LIVE, including the Kobe Bryant rape charges with guest District Attorney Mark Hurlburt. District Attorney Tom Sneddon talked about details of the Michael Jackson child molestation charges, and Rockne Harmon, DNA expert prosecutor in the O.J. Simpson trial, has been a guest on the show as well.
As an intern at Mr. Larson's office, we have the opportunity to assist in the planning of these shows. Whether it involves looking through old case files or calling to prep guests, we get to sort through the details of some incredibly interesting cases from the occurrence of the crime to the sentencing phase.
It has been a great learning experience because we can see how all aspects of a criminal trial work together. Frequently, local detectives offer information about their involvement in the process, which always makes us realize the importance of their role in the prosecution of criminals. We can learn inside information about high-profile cases directly from the prosecutors.
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Andolyn - on the air. | After the planning process, we attend the broadcast of the radio show with Mr. Larson and Mr. Pattie. We are able to meet the guest for the week and see firsthand the production of a radio show. Participation in American DA - LIVE has been one of our favorite parts of the internship.
American DA - LIVE offers in-depth details and knowledge about local and national crimes. It also keeps the community informed about occurrences that truly affect our everyday lives. Not only is it a great resource for information, but it also tells the true stories of some of the most shocking crimes this nation has ever seen straight from those who know the facts best. Join Ray Larson and Jack Pattie for the next episode of American DA - LIVE. |
| Criminal Justice News & Views |
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 Lexington's Serious Crime Rate For September 1st - 14th Jumped 26.76% Over The Same Time Last Year
There was a 26.76% increase in the 2008 Part I Offenses (serious crimes) in Lexington compared to the same time period in 2007.
3 more Robberies;
18 more Assaults;
51 more Burglaries;
36 more Thefts, including auto break-ins, bicycle thefts, other thefts;
3 more Stolen Autos.
Editor's Comment: Well, with the "rush to release" going on in Frankfort, what did we expect? |
| Meet Kentucky's Felony Prosecutors |
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Bruce Kuegel, Commonwealth's Attorney For Daviess County
"We are pleased to welcome Bruce to the fraternity of felony prosecutors," says Ray Larson.
 Bruce Kuegel is the Commonwealth's Attorney for the 6th Judicial Circuit (Daviess County).
Bruce graduated from Daviess County High School, Kentucky Wesleyan College, and received his law degree from Chase College of Law.
Bruce is a former Daviess County Deputy Sheriff and Kentucky State Police Trooper. He currently serves as a board member on the Daviess County Parks Board and is a member of the Masonic Temple Co. Board of Directors. He was appointed Commonwealth's Attorney for Daviess County in 2007. |
| Recent Court Case |
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"Frog Gigging" Bank Robber Sentenced To Probation
Defendant already on probation when arrested.
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Wiley Bailey |
Just before 2:00 p.m. on November 13, 2007, Lexington police were dispatched to a bank robbery in the Hamburg area. Responding officers located a suspect in a matter of minutes standing next to a stream in a field near the bank. The suspect, who was wearing dress slacks with a shirt and tie, told the officers he was "frog gigging" and was on his way to a doctor's appointment. He was identified as Wiley Bailey, age 44.
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Video surveillance snap- shot of Bailey in disguise at the bank counter. |
Officers at the scene located several witnesses who had seen the suspect leave the bank and run into the nearby field. Employees in an office building next to the bank reported seeing the suspect remove his outer layer of clothing, including a baggy jacket and gloves, and continue into the field. Items including a coat, gloves, jeans, hat and shirt that matched the clothing worn by the suspect in the security video were located in the field and submerged in the stream, along with a silver cap gun. Bailey was arrested and found to have over $3,500 in his pockets.
Court records indicate that Bailey has seventeen misdemeanor convictions for offenses including Theft, Assault, Public Intoxication, DUI, Menacing, and Resisting Arrest. He violated the terms of probation on two previous occasions, and was sentenced to probation for his latest Theft offense exactly one week before he robbed the bank. Bailey pled guilty to Robbery and Tampering with Physical Evidence and was sentenced to eight years, probated for five years.
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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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Mitchell Willoughby
25 at the time
Male, White |
Mitchell Willoughby, along with Leif Halvorsen, executed a teenage female and two male victims inside a home they were remodeling in Fayette County in 1983.
These killers shot the female eight times in the back of the head. They shot the younger male five times -- in the back, testicles, right arm, left leg, and right temple. They shot the other male three times -- in the back, the chest, and in the back of his neck. That night they attempted to dispose of the bodies by throwing them from the Brooklyn Bridge in Jessamine County, Kentucky.
Willoughby was sentenced to death on September 15, 1983.
That's what he did. He sentenced himself to death. |
| 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. |
| Who Is On Home Incarceration In Lexington? |
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| Convicted Criminals In The Home Incarceration Program (HIP) in Lexington
Inmates who are nearing the end of their sentences can be placed into the Home Incarceration Program (HIP) under certain circumstances. Offenders who are part of this program are technically still incarcerated; however, they are placed in the community under electronic monitoring rather than being behind the walls of a correctional facility.
To learn the identity of the inmates presently in the Home Incarceration Program in our community, click here. |
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Fayette Circuit Court Sentencings
Friday, September 26, 2008 |
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| 3rd Division - Judge James Ishmael | |
CARSON, Dean Lee
Age: 23 |
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| Sentenced to 3 years in prison for 1st degree Possession of a Controlled Substance, 1st Offense, and 12 months in jail for Possession of Marijuana, to run concurrently for a total of 3 years in prison. Sent to prison. | |
DOBBINS, Brandon Lamarcus
Age: 25 |
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| Sentenced to 12 months in jail for the prosecution's amended charge of Sexual Misconduct. Sent to jail. | |
FISHBACK, Damarco Manolo
Age: 33 |
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| Sentenced to 12 months in jail for the prosecution's amended charge of 4th degree Assault. Sent to jail. | |
MITCHELL, Edtonio
Age: 33 |
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| Sentenced to 1 year in prison for Flagrant Non Support, probated 5 years. | |
SPARKS, Selena Sha
Age: 19 |
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| Sentenced to 12 months in jail for the prosecution's amended charge of Attempted Possession of a Controlled Substance, 1st Offense, probated 2 years. | |
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| 4th Division - Judge Pamela Goodwine | |
BENTON, John Frederick
Age: 18 |
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| RE-SENTENCED YOUTHFUL OFFENDER: Sentenced to 10 years in prison for the prosecution's amended charge of 2nd degree Robbery, and 1 year in prison for 1st degree Facilitation of a Robbery, to run concurrently for a total of 10 years in prison, probated 5 years. | |
HARRIS, Maurice Lee
Age: 26 |
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| REPEAT OFFENDER: Sentenced to 5 years in prison for 1st degree Possession of a Controlled Substance, 1st Offense and status as a persistent Felony Offender, 30 days in jail for Operating on a Suspended/Revoked Operators License, a $500 fine for No Insurance, 1st Offense, and a $25 fine for Failure to or Improper Signal, to run concurrently for a total of 5 years in prison, probated 5 years. | |
HOOVER, Christopher Clark
Age: 23 |
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| Sentenced to 5 years in prison for 1st degree Possession of a Controlled Substance, 1st Offense, and 12 months in jail for Use/Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, 1st Offense, to run concurrently for a total of 5 years in prison, probated 5 years. | |
LONG, Stephanie Linnette
Age: 29 |
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| Sentenced to 12 months in jail for the prosecution's amended charge of 1st degree Criminal Facilitation to Trafficking in a Controlled Substance, 1st Offense, probated 2 years. | |
RICHARDSON, Burt Allan
Age: 36 |
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| Sentenced to 1 year in prison for Theft by Unlawful Taking over $300, and 12 months in jail for Use/Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, 1st Offense, to run concurrently for a total of 1 year in prison, probated 3 years. Ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $8360. | |
SKINNER, Matthew
Olin
Age: 25 |
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| REPEAT OFFENDER: Sentenced to 5 years in prison for the prosecution's amended charge of Tampering With Physical Evidence and status as a Persistent Felony Offender, probated 5 years. | |
THORTON, Terry Lynn
Age: 53 |
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| REPEAT OFFENDER: Sentenced to 10 years in prison for the prosecution's amended charge of 2nd degree Assault Under Extreme Emotional Disturbance and status as a Persistent Felony Offender, 1 year in prison for 3rd degree Assault, 12 months in jail for 3rd degree Terroristic Threatening, 90 days in jail for 2nd degree Disorderly Conduct, and 30 days in jail for Alcohol Intoxication in a Public Place, 1st Offense, to run concurrently for a total of 10 years in prison. Sent to prison. | |
TYRA, Terry Darnell
Age: 45 |
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| Sentenced to 12 months in jail for the prosecution's amended charge of Criminal Attempt: Convicted Felon in Possession of a Handgun, time served. | |
WILLIAMS, Bobby Ray II
Age: 40 |
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| Sentenced to 1 year in prison for 1st degree Possession of a Controlled Substance, 1st Offense, and 60 days in jail, a $500 fine and 36 month license suspension for Operating a Motor Vehicle under the Influence of Alcohol/Drugs, probated 3 years. | |
YOUNG, ROBERT J.
Age: 43 |
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| Sentenced to 12 months in jail for the prosecution's amended charge of Non Support. Sent to jail. | |
| 7th Division - Judge Ernesto Scorsone | |
DARLING, William
Age: 44 |
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| Sentenced to 5 years in prison for 1st degree Trafficking in a Controlled Substance, 1st Offense, probated 5 years. | |
ESTANEZ-FIGUEROA, Jorge
Age: 29 |
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| ILLEGAL ALIEN: Sentenced to 1 year in prison for 1st degree fPossession of a Controlled Substance, 1st Offense, and a $250 fine and 45 day license suspension for Operating a Motor Vehicle Under the Influence of Alcohol/Drugs, conditionally discharged. IMMIGRATION CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT (ICE) NOTIFIED | |
HINES, Joshua McIntyre
Age: 19 |
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| Sentenced to 2 years in prison for Receiving Stolen Property (Firearm). Restitution to be determined. Sent to prison. | |
HOWARD, Matthew Ryan
Age: 19 |
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| Sentenced to12 months in jail and a $500 fine for the prosecution's amended charge of Criminal Attempt Possession of a Controlled Substance. Sent to jail. | |
JONES, Keith Allen
Age: 28 |
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| Sentenced to 12 months in jail, serve 30 days, for the prosecution's amended charge of Trafficking in Marijuana < 8 oz., 1st Offense, probated 2 years. | |
LEWIS, Rebecca
Age: 53 |
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| Sentenced to 1 year in prison for the prosecution's amended charge of 1st degree Possession of a Controlled Substance. Sent to prison. | |
REDMON, Wesley Allen
Age: 28 |
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| REPEAT OFFENDER: Sentenced to 15 years in prison for the prosecution's amended charge of 2nd degree Robbery, and status as a Persistent Felony Offender, 12 months in jail for the prosecution's amended charge of 2nd degree Fleeing or Evading Police, 12 months in jail for Theft by Unlawful Taking under $300, 12 months in jail for the prosecution's amended charge of 1st degree Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, to run concurrently for a total of 15 years in prison. Sent to prison. Ordered to pay $319.96 in Restitution. | |
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| 8th Division - Judge Thomas L. Clark | |
CREMEANS, Michael Shawn
Age: 23 |
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| Sentenced to 10 years in prison for the prosecution's amended charge of 2nd degree Robbery, and 12 months in jail for the prosecution's amended charge of Criminal Attempt Tampering with Physical Evidence, to run concurrently for a total of 10 years in prison. Sent to prison. | |
DAVIS, Dwayne Leroy Jr.
Age: 19 |
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| Sentenced to 1 year in prison for the prosecution's amended charge of 1st degree Unlawful Imprisonment, 1 year in prison for the prosecution's amended charge of Possession of a Controlled Substance, 1st Offense, and 5 years in prison for 2nd degree Assault, 1 year to run consecutively for a total of 6 years in prison. Sent to prison. | |
JOHNSON, Steven R.
Age: 19 |
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| Sentenced to a $250 fine for the prosecution's amended charge of Criminal Attempt to Hindering Prosecution or Apprehension. | |
LEWIS, Leon Fitzgerald
Age: 24 |
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| Sentenced to 3 years in prison for Trafficking in Controlled Substance within 1,000 Yards of a School, and 12 months in jail for the prosecution's amended charge of Criminal Attempt Tampering with Physical Evidence, to run concurrently for a total of 3 years in prison. Sent to prison. | |
SAYRE, Daniel Wade
Age: 19 |
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| Sentenced to 8 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 3rd degree Unlawful Transaction with a Minor, to run concurrently for a total of 8 years in prison. Sent to prison. Ordered to pay $600 in restitution. | |
SINDEFF, Johnnie Randell
Age: 48 |
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| Sentenced to 1 year in prison for Failure to Comply with Sex Offender Registration, 1st Offense. Sent to prison. | |
THOMAS, Terry Lynn Jr.
Age: 26 |
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| Sentenced to 1 year in prison for 1st degree Possession of a Controlled Substance, 1st Offense, and 12 months in jail for 2nd degree Possession of a Controlled Substance, 1st Offense, to run concurrently for a total of 1 year in prison, probated 3 years. | |
WRIGHT, Justin C.
Age: 18 |
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| Sentenced to 12 months in jail for the prosecution's amended charge of 2nd degree Wanton Endangerment, and 12 months in jail for 4th degree Assault, and in a separate case, 12 months in jail for the prosecution's amended charge of 2nd degree Fleeing or Evading Police, and 12 months in jail for 4th degree Assault, to run concurrently for a total of 12 months in jail, probated 2 years. | |
| 9th Division - Judge Kimberly Bunnell | |
BROWN, Anthony Wayne
Age: 29 |
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| Sentenced to 1 year in prison for 1st degree Fleeing or Evading Police, 12 months in jail for the prosecution's amended charge of 2nd degree Wanton Endangerment, 12 months in jail for 2nd degree Fleeing or Evading Police, a $200 fine and 45 day license suspension for Operating a Motor Vehicle Under the Influence of Alcohol/Drugs, 1st Offense, 30 days in jail for No Operators/Moped License, and 30 days in jail for Failure of Non-Owner Operator To Maintain Required Insurance, 1st Offense, to run concurrently for a total of 1 year in prison, probated 5 years. | |
CANTRELL, Timothy Allen
Age: 33 |
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| Sentenced to 1 year in prison for Fraudulent Use of Credit Cards Over $100 within a 6 Month Period, and 12 months in jail for Receiving Stolen Property under $300, to run concurrently for a total of 1 year in prison, probated 5 years. Ordered to pay $380.54 in restitution. | |
CHENAULT, Joshua Lamarra
Age: 20 |
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| Sentenced to 12 months in jail for the prosecution's amended charge of Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle, 1st Offense, probated 2 years. | |
HILL, Charles Henry III
Age: 33 |
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| REPEAT OFFENDER: Sentenced to 10 years in prison for 2nd degree Burglary and status as a Persistent Felony Offender, and 10 years in prison for Receiving Stolen Property Over $300 and status as a Persistent Felony Offender, to run concurrently for a total of 10 years in prison. Sent to prison. Ordered to pay $350 in restitution. | |
SPARKS, Michael Lee
Age: 37 |
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| Sentenced to 1 year in prison each for 2 counts of Possession of Matter Portraying Sex Performance by Minor, to run consecutively for a total of 2 years in prison, probated 5 years. | |
STURGIS, Timothy Wayne
Age: 30 |
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| Sentenced to 4 years in prison for 1st degree Possession of a Controlled Substance, 1st Offense, and 12 months in jail for Use/Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, 1st Offense, to run concurrently for a total of 4 years in prison, probated 5 years. | | | |
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