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Archive for the ‘KENTUCKY’ Category
Louisville Kentucky Police Shoot And Kill Man Using Taser Weapon
July 3rd, 2008
LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY - A man died after Metro Louisville police used an electrical stun device on him to break up a fight.
A police spokeswoman told the Courier-Journal the man went into what she described as a “medical emergency” after a police officer shocked him with the stun gun late Wednesday night.
Police performed CPR on him until an ambulance arrived, but the man was pronounced dead at a hospital. Police spokeswoman Alicia Smiley said the man and his brother were fighting and the first officer on the scene called for backup.
The man, his brother and the two officers were not immediately identified. In September 2006, Louisville police shocked another man with a stun gun and he also died.
A coroner’s report concluded that man died of a condition known as excited delirium.
Kentucky Attorney Melbourne Mills Jr., Jailed For A Year On Bogus Federal Charges, Found Not Guilty By Jury And Released - Was Too Drunk To Have Taken Part In A Criminal Conspiracy
July 2nd, 2008
COVINGTON, KENTUCKY — For the first time in almost a year, Lexington-area lawyer Melbourne Mills Jr. will wake up today in his own bed.
After six days of deliberation, a jury on Tuesday found Mills –who argued that he was too drunk to take part in a criminal conspiracy — not guilty of taking millions from his former clients in a $200 million fen-phen settlement.
Mills’ face broke into a wide grin and he mouthed “thank you, thank you” to the jury after the verdict was read.
Mills was released from the Boone County Jail about 1 p.m. Tuesday. James Shuffett, his attorney, said Mills will most likely return to his Lexington-area home.
Mills, 77, who had to be hospitalized during the trial because of heart problems, had been in custody since August, when U.S. District Judge William Bertelsman jailed him and co-defendants William Gallion and Shirley Cunningham Jr., saying they were too much of a flight risk.
Read MoreLawsuit Charges Crazed Whitley County Kentucky Deputy Sheriff With Beating Man In His Own Home
July 1st, 2008
WHITLEY COUNTY, KENTUCKY - A Corbin man has filed a lawsuit in federal court against Whitley County, Sheriff Lawrence Hodge, the sheriff’s department and an alleged sheriff’s deputy Tony Ramey over an alleged assault that happened in June of last year.
Dalton Brewer filed the lawsuit in U.S. District court on June 11. In the suit, Brewer claims that in late May of last year he legally purchased a gun from Perry Ramey, Tony Ramey’s son. A few days later, Brewer claims that Perry Ramey came to his residence and demanded the return of the gun. Brewer agreed to return the gun for a full refund, which according to the suit, the Rameys refused. The Rameys then entered Brewer’s home and began to beat him.
Read MoreClark County Kentucky Coroner Goes Missing After His Arrest For Indecent Exposure
July 1st, 2008
WINCHESTER, KENTUCKY - Police in central Kentucky say a county coroner who was recently arrested on indecent exposure charges has been reported missing.
David W. Jacobs, of Winchester, was reported missing by his roommate on Friday.
Clark County Sheriff’s Deputy Mark Craycraft says Jacobs has been placed on a national missing persons database. Jacobs, the county’s coroner since 1990, was arrested and charged with indecent exposure on June 17 after police say he exposed himself to an undercover officer.
The missing persons report says Jacobs had left a letter indicating he wanted to harm himself. The report says Jacobs had been upset about a recent altercation.
Craycraft says Jacobs was last seen driving a blue Ford Explorer. Appeared Here
Kentucky Attorney General Jack Conway Announces Creation Of Special Cyber-Crime Unit - Just In Time For Them To Investigate The Theft Of His Identity
June 25th, 2008
LEXINGTON, KENTUCKY - Kentucky Attorney General Jack Conway — who this month announced a special unit on cybercrime — has found himself the victim of identity theft.
When Conway tried to buy some music on iTunes, the company wouldn’t accept his credit card, saying the billing zip code didn’t match their records.
The state’s top legal officer says someone had stolen his credit card number and charged thousands of dollars worth of computers, Vonage phone service and postal service charges.
He said the thieves changed his billing address.
He isn’t responsible for the charges because he reported them quickly.
The cybercrime unit he created and federal authorities are investigating the incident.
Conway says it’s a tough crime to stop because the electronic information moves so quickly. Appeared Here
Historian Indicted In Kentucky After Rescuing An 8 Ton Rock From The Ohio River
June 19th, 2008
FRANKFORT, KENTUCKY - An Ohio historian could face hard time, all because of a rock.
A Kentucky grand jury indicted Steve Shaffer on Thursday for leading efforts to pull an 8-ton boulder known as Indian Head Rock from the Ohio River.
The indictment accuses Shaffer of breaking Kentucky law by removing a protected archaeological object, a felony. He could face one to five years in prison if convicted.
“I’m really surprised,” Shaffer said. “It’s not about historic preservation, we all know that. It’s about revenge.”
The rock’s removal triggered a dispute between Shaffer and elected officials in Kentucky who insist it belongs in their state. Shaffer says he saved it from being damaged or lost forever. It now sits in a city garage in Portsmouth, Ohio.
The rock was once a navigation marker and an attraction for locals who ventured out to carve their names into it, but it hadn’t been seen since the 1920s.
Read More5 Fayette County Kentucky Corrections Officers Indicted After Attacks On Inmates, False Reports And False Charges
June 17th, 2008
FAYETTE COUNTY, KENTUCKY - They’re supposed to watch over those accused of breaking the law, but a Federal Grand Jury says some Fayette County Jail Employees…were doing some lawbreaking of their own.
Five current and former Fayette County Corrections officers are indicted on allegations of inmate abuse.
The indictment alleges the multiple incidents of abuse took place from January to October of 2006.
Five officers face charges, they are: Lt Kristine LaFoe, Sgt. John McQueen, Sgt. Anthony Estep, Cpl. Carence McCoy and Cpl. Scott Tyree.
According to the indictment…the defendants assaulted inmates at the intake unit of the jail and they conspired with each other to cover up the abuse by filing false reports and charges.
This isn’t the first we’ve heard of alleged abuse at the Fayette County Detention Center. In October 2006, the F-B-I searched the jail and carted away documents in its probe of excessive force.
Read More24 Louisville Kentucky Police Officers Disciplined After Using Department Computers To Upload, Download, And View Pornography
June 16th, 2008
LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY - Two dozen Louisville police officers have been reprimanded or disciplined after an investigation into inappropriate use of department computers.
Most were issued written reprimands, though two were given more serious discipline because they accessed Internet sites Chief Robert White described on Friday as “lewd, obscene and unacceptable.”
Dwayne Reed was demoted from lieutenant to sergeant based on 118 counts of using the computer improperly, which included viewing and downloading pornographic material.
Officer Scott Barto, who works in the training division, received a five-day suspension for 12 counts of improperly using the Internet.
Both Barto and Reed have the right to appeal their discipline to the Police Merit Board. Appeared Here
Karma Drops The Hammer On Fired Lexington Kentucky Police Officer Joshua Cromer - Arrested For Drunk Driving And Carrying A Concealed Weapon
June 13th, 2008
LEXINGTON, KENTUCKY - A former Lexington police officer who arrested country singer John Michael Montgomery has now been arrested on the same charges.
The Lexington Herald-Leader reported that Joshua Cromer was arrested early Friday and charged with DUI and carrying a concealed weapon.
Cromer arrested Montgomery on those charges after pulling him over in February 2006. Montgomery entered an Alford plea, in which he didn’t admit guilt, but acknowledged there was sufficient evidence for a likely conviction.
Cromer was later fired for comments he posted about Montgomery’s arrest on the Web site MySpace.com.
Read MoreFormer Louisville Kentucky Police Officer Claudette McCrackenon Guilty Of Public Records Tampering After Attacking Woman At Laundry
June 10th, 2008
LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY - A former Louisville police officer has been found guilty of tampering with public records stemming from a dispute with an employee at a laundry.
A jury also acquitted Claudette McCrackenon charges of perjury, unlawful imprisonment and official misconduct. The defense and prosecution agreed to recommend a sentence of 2 years in prison.
McCracken was accused of unlawfully arresting Carolyn Hoback at the laundry where she worked and then lying in court about being assaulted by Hoback on May 16, 2006.
McCracken claimed Hoback became “irritated” when the officer asked to speak with Hoback’s manager. McCracken reported that Hoback pushed her in the chest once inside the business and then again outside when the officer asked for identification. Appeared Here
Dumbass Former Madisonville Kentucky Police Officer Brian McKinney Pleads Guilty After Stealing 85 Guns From Police Evidence Locker
May 31st, 2008
MADISONVILLE, KENTUCKY - A former Madisonville police officer plead guilty to stealing dozens of firearms from the police evidence locker.
Brian McKinney, 37, admitted to stealing 85 firearms over an 18 month period, and selling them to local gun dealers.
McKinney now lives in new Mexico.
A sentencing date is expected to be scheduled in the next two months. Appeared Here
Elsewhere:
OWENSBORO, KY - An Information was filed by the United States Attorney on April 21, 2008, charging Brian McKinney, age 37, of Farmington, New Mexico, with stealing firearms which had been transported in interstate commerce, U.S. Attorney David L. Huber of the Western District of Kentucky, and Paul Vido, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Louisville Field Division, jointly announced today.
Read MoreRude Allen And Simpson County Kentucky District Judge Frank H. Wakefield II Suspended For 30 Days, Told To STFU
May 23rd, 2008
FRANKFORT, KENTUCKY — A rural Kentucky judge has been suspended for 30 days without pay for talking too much in court and for being rude.
The decision issued Friday by the Judicial Conduct Commission said that District Judge Frank H. Wakefield II routinely “engaged in lengthy and rambling discourses” in his courtrooms in Allen and Simpson counties.
The panel found the topics weren’t even related to the cases at hand.
Wakefield didn’t immediately return a call to his home in Franklin.
An investigation also documented reports that Wakefield often belittled people in his courtroom, which violates a judicial canon that calls for judges to be dignified and courteous.
The panel also determined that Wakefield violated judicial canons by interrogating people in open court without regard to their privilege against self-incrimination and by publicly opposing a fellow judge who was seeking re-election. Appeared Here
Fulton County/City Of Hickman Kentucky Rescue Squad Votes To Stop Answering Calls Until County Buys Them A Firetruck For Christmas
May 19th, 2008
Fulton County Judge Executive David Gallagher says the Fulton County-City of Hickman Rescue Squad is invaluable to county residents, but has asked the county to buy an $89,000 truck it can’t afford.
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The County Fiscal Court offered $10,000, but the 13 members of the independent volunteer squad voted to cease responding to rescue calls — a decision that Chief Jim Moss says could lead to disbanding the group.
While Gallagher says the county wants to keep the squad operational, Moss says raising the other $79,000 in a county that ranks first in population decline in Kentucky isn’t feasible.
Among services the squad offers are river rescue on the Mississippi River, extracting people pinned in wrecked vehicles and weather spotting. Appeared Here
Veteran Louisville Kentucky Police Officer Tim Hightower Receives A Slap On The Wrist After Sending Pornography With Department Computers - Previously Suspended After Drunk Driving Arrest - 12 Other Officers Under Investigation
May 15th, 2008
LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY - Louisville Metro Police have revealed the first officer disciplined in connection to an investigation of pornographic images.
Authorities say they were using their laptops to send emails with lewd descriptions.
The officer named is a 28-year veteran of the department.
He is identified as Tim Hightower who works in the homicide department’s cold case squad.
The reprimand says Hightower used inappropriate use of the internet and sending pornographic materials thru the department’s email.
Over his career Hightower received 25 commendations but records show he also was suspended for 20 days in 2005 after being arrested for DUI.
This is the first discipline. Those familiar with the probe have told us at least 12 other officers, including a lieutenant are under investigation.
The department says it will have no comment because the case is still under investigation.
Fayette County Kentucky Jail Officer Timothy Kent Suspended After Releasing Wrong Inmate
April 28th, 2008
FAYETTE COUNTY, KENTUCKY - A Fayette County jail officer who mistakenly released the wrong inmate from custody in March was suspended for two days earlier this month for not following jail procedure.
Cpl. Timothy Kent was suspended without pay for 16 hours, or two work days, beginning on April 10. It marked the fourth time in three years that Kent had been disciplined for not following jail policies.
The April suspension stems from the erroneous release of Antoine G. Hill. Hill, 21, and Michael D. Allen, 26, were both in an intake holding area of the jail on March 23 when Allen was called for release. Hill stepped forward and gave Allen’s Social Security number and date of birth “accurately and without hesitation,” Kent wrote in a jail memo dated March 23.
Read MoreFormer Williamsburg Kentucky Police Officer Brad Nighbert Sentenced To 5 Years In Prison On Drug Charges
April 18th, 2008
WILLIAMSBURG, KENTUCKY - A former Williamsburg police officer charged with possession of a controlled substance will spend five years in prison.
Court officials say Brad Nighbert was sentenced Friday in Laurel County. He pleaded guilty earlier this year to an amended charged of possession of a controlled substance.
The charge stems from a May 2007 incident when police say Nighbert was under the influence of drugs when he showed up at the scene of a stabbing in Laurel County.
Appeared Here
Louisa Kentucky Police Officers Kevin Adkins And Barry Bellomy Arraigned For Misconduct Amid Effort To Harass News Reporter
April 16th, 2008
LOUISA, KENTUCKY - Two members of the Louisa Police Department were arraigned this morning on charges of official misconduct.
Chief Kevin Adkins and Officer Barry Bellomy face first and second degree misconduct charges after being indicted by a Lawrence County, KY Grand Jury. All the charges are misdemeanors.
According to the indictment, Bellomy is charged with ignoring a police call while he was at the home of a former reporter for the Big Sandy News.
Bellomy and the chief are also accused of harassing the reporter, Roberta Blevins.
Blevins told NewsChannel 3 that both men were trying to harass her to get tape recordings she had relating to an investigating of the two officers.
During their arraignment in District Court, Adkins and Bellomy pleaded not guilty to the charges. Their next court date is set for May 21.
Appeared Here
Mercer County Kentucky Deputy Sheriff Chris Edwards Arrested, Suspended, Charged With Leaving The Scene Of Drunken Wreck - Witnesses Watched Him Run A Red Light And Speed Down Wrong Side Of Road To Get Away
April 16th, 2008
HARRODSBURG, KENTUCKY - A Mercer County deputy sheriff has been put on leave with pay after his arrest Wednesday night for allegedly leaving the scene of an accident in Lexington, reports the Lexington Herald-Leader in its Sunday edition.
The newspaper reports that 36-year old Chris Edwards was arrested and charged after witnesses told Lexington police that Edwards caused an injury accident, then left the scene, according to Fayette District Court records, the newspaper reports.
A citation says witnesses told police that Edwards ran a red light and drove down the wrong side of the road at high speed away from the accident. Edwards was arrested at Richmond Road and New Circle Road, reports the newspaper.
Lexington police suspect Edwards was under the influence of alcohol, according to the citation. He has pleaded not guilty to the misdemeanor, which is punishable by a $20 to $2,000 fine and up to a year in jail. Mercer County Sheriff Chris Kehrt said Edwards has been put on leave pending an investigation. His next court date is April 29, reports the Lexington Herald-Leader.
Read MoreMercer County Kentucky Deputy Sheriff Chris Edwards Arrested, Suspended, Charged With Leaving The Scene Of Drunken Wreck - Ran A Red Light And Sped On Wrong Side Of Road To Get Away
April 16th, 2008
HARRODSBURG, KENTUCKY - A Mercer County deputy sheriff has been put on leave with pay after his arrest Wednesday night for allegedly leaving the scene of an accident in Lexington, reports the Lexington Herald-Leader in its Sunday edition.
The newspaper reports that 36-year old Chris Edwards was arrested and charged after witnesses told Lexington police that Edwards caused an injury accident, then left the scene, according to Fayette District Court records, the newspaper reports.
A citation says witnesses told police that Edwards ran a red light and drove down the wrong side of the road at high speed away from the accident. Edwards was arrested at Richmond Road and New Circle Road, reports the newspaper.
Lexington police suspect Edwards was under the influence of alcohol, according to the citation. He has pleaded not guilty to the misdemeanor, which is punishable by a $20 to $2,000 fine and up to a year in jail. Mercer County Sheriff Chris Kehrt said Edwards has been put on leave pending an investigation. His next court date is April 29, reports the Lexington Herald-Leader.
Read MoreKentucky State Police Trooper Investigated After Killing A Man’s Hunting Dogs For Keeping Him Awake
April 9th, 2008
LETCHER COUNTY, KY - An eastern Kentucky paper says a Kentucky state trooper is under investigation for shooting and killing a man’s hunting dogs.
According to the Appalachian News Express, the hunter, Arnold Coleman, was trying to find the animals after their electronic tracking collars went dead after an outing last month.
Coleman finally ran into the trooper near the officer’s home in Letcher County, and says the trooper admitted to shooting the dogs for “treeing a raccoon” and barking and keeping him awake.
The trooper’s name has not been released.
Trigger-Happy Barren County Kentucky Deputy Sheriff Adam Minor Shoots And Kills Couple’s Dog That Had Never Left Their Property
April 7th, 2008
BARREN COUNTY, KY - Aaron Gillespie used to look forward to coming home after a full day at work.
His dog, Aspen, would eagerly greet him with a grin.
“He honestly had a grin,” Gillespie said. “He’d pull his lips up and show his teeth. It was his smile.”
Things changed last Monday night for Gillespie and his fiance, Kate Hardison. They came home from work to find their dog had been shot and killed by a Barren County Sheriff’s deputy on the orders of an county animal control officer.
The deputy, Adam Minor, and an animal control officer had responded to a call that an aggressive dog had either bitten or attacked a child.
But no child was bitten or attacked, say neighbors who witnessed the unfolding events.
Read MoreTodd County Kentucky Sheriff Charged After Threatening Man With Taser Weapon Who Told Him Not To Block Handicapped Spaces At Wal-Mart
April 5th, 2008
TODD COUNTY, KY - Todd County Sheriff Billy Stokes has been charged with three misdemeanors after an incident with an Adairville man.
Logan County resident Dan Draper says in an affidavit that he was threatened by Stokes with a stun gun after asking him to move from a handicapped parking space on Saturday, March 22 at the Wal-Mart Supercenter in Russellville.
The charges were filed by the Logan County Attorney’s Office and includes individual counts of unlawfully parking in a handicapped space, menacing and official misconduct.
Stokes is scheduled for arraignment on April 16 in Logan County, but Stokes said Wednesday that he is confident the charges will be thrown out.
Read MoreTodd County Kentucky Sheriff Billy Stokes Charged After Parking In Handicapped Space Blocking A Second Space, Threatening Man Who Asked Him To Move With Taser Weapon
April 2nd, 2008
RUSSELLVILLE, KY - A Kentucky sheriff has been accused of threatening a man with a stun gun after the man asked him to move his vehicle from a handicapped parking spot.
Todd County Sheriff Billy Stokes has been charged with unauthorized parking in a handicapped zone, menacing and official misconduct stemming from a March 22 dispute in a Wal-Mart parking lot near the Tennessee border.
Daniel Draper said he asked Stokes to move his sport utility vehicle, which was blocking another handicapped spot and did not have a proper license plate or placard.
Draper said Stokes told him he was there on official business and could park in the space. Draper called authorities and when he went back to the SUV, he said Stokes threatened him with the gun.
Stokes told the New Era newspaper that he removed his stun gun because he was concerned by Draper’s behavior.
Read MoreMercer County Kentucky Deputy Sheriff Arrested, Suspended, Charged After Leaving The Scene Of An Accident
April 2nd, 2008
HARRODSBURG, KY - A Mercer County deputy sheriff has been put on leave with pay after his arrest Wednesday night for allegedly leaving the scene of an accident in Lexington, reports the Lexington Herald-Leader in its Sunday edition.
The newspaper reports that 36-year old Chris Edwards was arrested and charged after witnesses told Lexington police that Edwards caused an injury accident, then left the scene, according to Fayette District Court records, the newspaper reports.
A citation says witnesses told police that Edwards ran a red light and drove down the wrong side of the road at high speed away from the accident. Edwards was arrested at Richmond Road and New Circle Road, reports the newspaper.
Lexington police suspect Edwards was under the influence of alcohol, according to the citation. He has pleaded not guilty to the misdemeanor, which is punishable by a $20 to $2,000 fine and up to a year in jail. Mercer County Sheriff Chris Kehrt said Edwards has been put on leave pending an investigation. His next court date is April 29, reports the Lexington Herald-Leader.
Read MoreWhoops - Fayette County Kentucky Releases Federal Prisoner Charged With Dealing Drugs By Mistake
March 24th, 2008
FAYETTE COUNTY, KY - Police were looking Sunday for an inmate who was released from the Fayette County Detention Center by mistake.
Antoine Gregory Hill, 21, was being taken to the jail Sunday morning on a federal drug charge of possession with the intent to distribute, but released during booking due to human error, said Capt. Darin Kelly.
Lexington police, the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office and the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives were searching for Hill.
He is a black male with black hair and brown eyes, 5-foot-10 and weighing about 149 pounds.
Anyone with information about Hill is asked to call police or the sheriff’s office. Hill has not been convicted of any violent crimes.
Vanceburg Kentucky Police Chief Joe Billman Arrested, Charged With Drunk Driving - Lewis County Judge-Executive Steve Applegate Arrested Last Week
March 22nd, 2008
VANCEBURG, KY - State police have charged a police chief in northeastern Kentucky with driving under the influence of alcohol.
Vanceburg Police Chief Joe Billman was arrested early Sunday, but maintains he wasn’t intoxicated even though he’d been drinking.
Billman provided The (Ashland) Independent with a copy of tests that indicate he registered a blood-alcohol content of .038, less than the legal limit of .08.
The police citation says Billman performed poorly on sobriety tests, which led the trooper to suspect he was under the influence.
Billman is the second public official to be arrested in Lewis County for driving under the influence recently. Lewis County Judge-Executive Steve Applegate was arrested last week.
Judge Upholds Firing Of Disgraced Lexington Kentucky Police Officer Joshua Cromer After John Michael Montgomery MySpace Postings
March 22nd, 2008
LEXINGTON, KY - A Fayette Circuit Court judge has ruled that the city of Lexington had reason to fire a police officer who was embroiled in a controversy over postings on the social networking Web site MySpace.com, some of which involved the officer’s role in arresting country singer John Michael Montgomery.
Joshua Cromer was fired in February 2007. He sued the city, asking for reinstatement and back pay.
The Urban County Council unanimously approved Cromer’s firing, citing misconduct, inefficiency, insubordination and conduct unbecoming a police officer.
Cromer’s attorney, Shane Sidebottom, argued that Cromer’s firing was arbitrary, capricious and not justified based upon the circumstances.”
But Judge Thomas Clark’s opinion said the court could not rule on the city’s decision. Citing case law, Clark wrote that the council’s opinion “is not to be disturbed unless it is arbitrary or unreasonable.” In essence, he said, arbitrary would equate to “clearly erroneous” or “unsupported by substantial evidence.”
Read MoreWitness Says Former Harlan County Kentucky Deputy Sheriff Roger Hall Supplied Gun To Kill Sheriff’s Candidate
March 22nd, 2008
PINEVILLE, KENTUCKY - A convicted drug dealer testifying in a murder trial said an eastern Kentucky sheriff’s deputy supplied the gun and cash used in the plot to kill a sheriff’s candidate in 2002.
Dewayne Harris testified Thursday that then-deputy Roger Hall was concerned that if Paul L. Browning Jr. was elected Harlan County sheriff, then Hall would lose his position.
“Roger said (Browning) had to go. He had to be made away with,” Harris told jurors in the trial of his uncle, Raymond Harris, who is charged with shooting Browning in the back of the head, then helping burn Browning’s body in a pickup truck on a Bell County hillside.
Dewayne Harris’ testimony was the first time an alleged motive in the case had been made public.
Read MoreMore Indictments Returned Against Edmonson County Kentucky Sheriff Billy Joe Honneycutt
March 16th, 2008
EDMONSON COUNTY, KENTUCKY - State police say a western Kentucky sheriff is facing more charges of conducting firearms training courses that weren’t up to state standards.
Police say a Madison County grand jury returned a 13-count indictment against Edmonson County Sheriff Billy Joe Honeycutt on Thursday. Honeycutt now faces a total of 15 counts of misrepresentation of having conducted training courses and providing incomplete firearms training.
Both charges are felonies that carry a sentence of up to five years in prison.
Honeycutt’s attorney said in December when Honeycutt was indicted on two charges that the sheriff didn’t believe he broke any laws.
The training guidelines are set by the Department of Criminal Justice training in Richmond, which is where Honeycutt was indicted.
Crazed Louisville Kentucky Police Officer Thomas Pugh Charged And Suspended After Shooting At Man And 7 Year Old Child - Previously Involved In Chase that Left A Child Dead
March 16th, 2008
LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY – A Louisville police officer has been placed on paid administrative leave after being charged with wanton endangerment in Spencer County.
Officer Thomas Pugh was charged March 4 after a man filed a complaint alleging that Pugh shot at him and his 7-year-old son while they were on a four-wheel all-terrain vehicle.
The complainant, who was not identified, said Pugh, 35, fired at him and his son twice on March 2, according to Spencer County court records. A Spencer County judge issued a summons for Pugh to appear in court on April 25.
Pugh, who was off duty at the time of the alleged incident, could not be reached for comment.
Alicia Smiley, a police spokeswoman, said Pugh has been placed on leave pending the outcome of the criminal case.
Read MoreCrazed Eastern Kentucky Lawmaker Tim Couch Wants To Make Anonymous Internet Posting Illegal
March 10th, 2008
KENTUCKY - Kentucky Representative Tim Couch filed a bill this week to make anonymous posting online illegal.
The bill would require anyone who contributes to a website to register their real name, address and e-mail address with that site.
Their full name would be used anytime a comment is posted.
If the bill becomes law, the website operator would have to pay if someone was allowed to post anonymously on their site. The fine would be five-hundred dollars for a first offense and one-thousand dollars for each offense after that.
Representative Couch says he filed the bill in hopes of cutting down on online bullying. He says that has especially been a problem in his Eastern Kentucky district.
Action News 36 asked people what they thought about the bill.
Some said they felt it was a violation of First Amendment rights. Others say it is a good tool toward eliminating online harassment.
Read MoreMarshall And Calloway County Kentucky Prosecutor Mike Ward Sentenced To 8 Day In Jail For Drunk Driving
March 6th, 2008
BENTON, KENTUCKY - A western Kentucky prosecutor has reported to jail after pleading guilty to driving under the influence.
Mike Ward is the commonwealth’s attorney in Marshall and Calloway counties. He entered a plea Wednesday morning during his arraignment in Marshall County District Court. He was immediately sentenced to eight days in county jail and given credit for one day of time served.
Ward must also pay a two hundred dollar fine and complete a substance abuse counseling program as part of his sentence.
A Marshall County Sheriff’s deputy arrested Ward on Feb. 16 after authorities received a call about a possible drunk driver.
Ward can continue serving as commonwealth’s attorney because the charge is a misdemeanor.
Jackson County Oregon Public Defender, Attorney Justin Rosas, Suspended Amid Kentucky Drug Charges
March 3rd, 2008
JACKSON COUNTY, OREGON - Attorney Justin Rosas has been suspended from his duties as a Jackson County Public Defender due to pending legal action concerning drug charges in Lexington Kentucky.
The Director of the Public Defender’s office Herbert Putney, told NBC 5 that Rosas was immediately suspended as soon as he was able to confirm there were drug charges in Kentucky.
A copy of a citation received by NBC 5 listed possession of small amounts of marijuana and LSD .
Rosas has worked for the Public Defenders Office since Dec. 3rd.
Putney says that Rosas passed his bar exams for this state last year.
He says the Bar thoroughly vetts an attorney before passing the bar.
Putney says he did not know of the charges in Kentucky until Friday Morning. Shortly after 1 pm. Rosas suspension was made official.
Read MoreKentucky Pedophile Sentenced To Life In State Prison For Running Internet Child Pornography Server :)
February 27th, 2008
LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY - A man previously convicted on a child-sex charge in Ohio has received Kentucky’s first life sentence in a kiddie porn case.
James Moore pleaded guilty yesterday to advertising, receiving, distributing and possessing child pornography.
Authorities say the 42-year-old is a registered sex offender, and his criminal history includes multiple felony arrests, including two convictions for statutory rape and sexual contact.
Moore admitted to running a file server from his Louisville home with up to 8,000 images of child pornography.
Family Of Black Man Shot In The Back By Now-Fired White Louisville Kentucky Police Officer McKenzie Mattingly During Botched Undercover Drug Sting Wins Settlement For Wrongful Death
February 16th, 2008
LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY - The family of a 19-year-old man fatally shot by a Louisville police officer in 2004 has settled a federal lawsuit against the officer.
Bill Patteson, a spokesman for the Jefferson County Attorney’s Office, says the two sides have reached a monetary settlement. He did not disclose the amount or the terms.
The case was set for trial on Feb. 25.
Michael Newby was shot and killed by former Louisville Officer McKenzie Mattingly after an undercover drug deal went bad.
Mattingly was fired and later acquitted of murder charges.
Newby was shot in the back. His death marked the crest of rising racial tensions in Louisville after a string of fatal incidents involving white police officers and black suspects.
Newby’s family is planning to speak about the settlement Friday afternoon.
Former Hart County Kentucky Sheriff Jeff Staples Pleads Guilty To Federal Gun Charges
February 7th, 2008
BOWLING GREEN, KENTUCKY - Former Hart County Sheriff Jeff Staples pleaded guilty Tuesday to possession of illegal gun charges in U.S. District Court in Bowling Green.
Staples, 52, 997 E. Old Cut Road, Munfordville, entered the plea to charges of possession of an illegal weapon and possession of firearm without a serial number.
Staples had two guns that were shorter than the legal limit, said Assistant U.S. Attorney Jo Lawless of the Louisville Attorney’s office.
“Neither of the weapons were registered to Mr. Staples,” she said. “One of them also did not have a serial number.”
Staples said during the hearing he had obtained both weapons as gifts during his time in law enforcement.
He admitted that he knew the weapons had been altered and that they were not registered to him.
“Jeff’s just glad to put all of this behind him,” said Staples’ attorney, Donald Cottrell.
Read MoreMan Kicks Public Defender Lawyer Doug Crickmer’s Ass In Georgetown Kentucky Courtroom
February 7th, 2008
GEORGETOWN, KENTUCKY - To say public defender Doug Crickmer’s client was a little disgruntled would be an understatement.
In fact, when accused burglar Peter Hafer’s request for a new lawyer was turned down by a judge, he responded by assaulting Crickmer in court. The incident in the Kentucky courtroom, captured on video, shows Hafer punching Crickmer immediately after the judge started telling him he couldn’t choose his own public defender.
Hafer, who later explained he just snapped, continued to pummel Crickmer on the floor.
The lawyer was hit several times in the face and body, suffering two black eyes before Hafer was restrained.
Crickmer was treated in hospital for his injuries, but says he does not intend to file assault charges.
“I certainly don’t fault him or blame him or wish him any ill will,” Crickmer said Thursday on NBC’s “Today” show.
Read MoreFired Lebanon Junction Kentucky Police Officer Sgt. Daniel Carr Sentenced To Just One Year In Federal Prison On Drug Charges
February 5th, 2008
LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY - A former central Kentucky police officer has been sentenced after pleading guilty to drug charges.
U.S. Attorney David L. Huber says U.S. District Judge Joseph H. McKinley sentenced former Lebanon Junction police officer 33-year-old Daniel Carr to one year and one day in prison.
Carr pleaded guilty in September to a charges that he planned to distribute Oxycontin.
Carr’s girlfriend at the time of the arrest, 32-year-old Brenda Mudd, was sentence to four months imprisonment and four months of home incarceration.
Carr was a sergeant with the Lebanon Junction police department when he and Mudd were arrested June 25. Carr was fired shortly after his arrest.
Former Harland County Kentucky Deputy Sheriff Scott Moore, Out On Bail For Killing Woman, Arrested, Charged With Assaulting A Family Member
February 3rd, 2008
HARLAN COUNTY, KENTUCKY - A former Harlan County sheriff’s special deputy is back behind bars after police say he assaulted a family member.
Scott Moore of Highsplint is already facing wanton murder charges in connection with a shooting in June of last year.
State police responded to Scott Moore’s house on Highway 38 just before midnight Friday night for what they say was a domestic disturbance between him and a family member. Moore was later arrested at his home just outside beyond Evarts in Harlan County and charged with fourth degree assault. He was taken to the Harlan County Detention Center.
Moore is also charged in connection with the death of Leslie Cox, also from Harlan County. Officials say Moore was trying to break up a crowd at a lake back in June of last year, when he struck Cox in the head causing a gun in his hand to go off. Cox was shot in the head and died a month later.
Read MoreNutcase Former McCracken County Kentucky Deputy Sheriff Benny Harding’s 7 Year Prison Sentence Suddenly Turns Into A Slap On The Wrist - Shot Himself And Lied About It
January 24th, 2008
PADUCAH, KENTUCKY - A former sheriff’s deputy who shot himself but blamed it on an unknown assailant has been granted shock probation.
That means former McCracken County sheriff’s deputy Benny Harding will be released from jail on March 25 after serving six months of a seven-year sentence.
Harding was a McCracken County sheriff’s deputy in October 2006 when he reported that he had been shot by a man who had stepped from a car. Investigators said Harding made up the story to obtain a work-related injury that would qualify him for permanent disability benefits.
Harding admitted that he shot himself and falsely reported the incident.
A McCracken judge issued the order granting shock probation on Wednesday.
Lawsuit Charges Trigger-Happy Bourbon County Kentucky Sheriff’s Deputies Ed Rogers And Guy Turner With Shooting Unarmed Man With Only One Leg
January 22nd, 2008
BOURBON COUNTY, KENTUCKY - Last September, 37 year-old Robert Brewer was shot by Bourbon County Sheriff’s Deputies. He’s now filed a federal lawsuit against two deputies and the sheriff, because he says they used excessive force.
In the lawsuit, Brewer alleges the deputies shot him while he was unarmed, and missing his prosthetic leg.
On the night in question, Brewer was involved in a domestic dispute and left his home in Bourbon County. He says he then wandered over to a nearby farm, and sat down next to a tree. When property owners saw him, they called police.
According to an investigation by Kentucky State Police, when Deputies Ed Rogers and Guy Turner arrived on the scene, an intoxicated Brewer told them he had a weapon. They say when he made a sudden movement, the deputies shot him.
Read MoreLawsuit Charges Crazed Bourbon County Kentucky Sheriff’s Deputies With Shooting Man Who Was Sitting On His Own Property Because His Prosthetic Leg Was A “Weapon”
January 18th, 2008
BOURBON COUNTY, KENTUCKY - An Eastern Kentucky man has filed a lawsuit against the Bourbon County Sheriff’s Department, claiming two deputies shot him because they believed his prosthetic leg was a weapon.
Robert Shane Brewer Jr. alleges he was sitting under a tree on a farm near his home in Bourbon County on the night of Sept. 20, with his leg propped against a tree, when two deputies approached him on a trespassing call.
The lawsuit, which was filed Wednesday in U.S. District Court in Lexington, claims the deputies told Brewer to “get out from under the tree” and “drop his weapon.”
Brewer said he told the deputies he didn’t have a weapon and crawled around the tree to face them, when they opened fire without warning, shooting Brewer twice in the neck and chest.
Read MoreFormer Brea Kentucky Police Officer Lt. Billy Beavers Fined $1 After Beating Motorist
January 17th, 2008
BEREA, KENTUCKY - After three hours of deliberations, a Madison County jury convicted a former police officer of 2nd Degree Official Misconduct.
Investigators say Billy Beavers, who used to work for the Berea Police Department, didn’t file a use of force report after kicking a suspect. They say Beavers kicked James Hunt after a police chase.
An assault charge against the former lieutenant was dismissed Wednesday on the first day of the trial.
The jury fined Beavers one dollar as a punishment.
Trial Continues For Fired Veteran Berea Kentucky Police Officer Lt. Billy Beavers, Charged With Videotaped July 4th Beating Motorist - Most Serious Charge, Of Course, Disappears Like Magic Before His Trial Begins
January 17th, 2008
BEREA, KENTUCKY - Before his trial even began Wednesday, charges of fourth-degree assault were dismissed against former Berea Police Lt. Billy Beavers — leaving only a misdemeanor charge of official misconduct for a Madison County jury to deliberate.
See also: Former Berea Kentucky Police Officer Lt. Billy Beavers’ Trial Begins For July 4th Motorist Beating
Beavers was set to be tried on both charges at the conclusion of a pre-trial motion hour Tuesday. After serving 12 years on Berea’s force, Beavers was indicted in September on allegations that he kicked 40-year-old James Hunt of Lexington at the conclusion of a July 4 pursuit where Hunt was the passenger. He then failed to file a use of force report following the incident, the indictment alleges.
But special prosecutors Jennifer True and Larry Roberts of the Fayette County Attorney’s Office filed the motion to dismiss prior to seating the jury, said Special Judge Michael Harrod. Roberts declined to comment about the reason for the dismissal.
Read MoreFormer Berea Kentucky Police Officer Lt. Billy Beavers Trial Begins For July 4th Motorist Beating
January 16th, 2008
BEREA, KENTUCKY - A former Berea Police lieutenant will go on trial today and a jury of six men and women will decide whether he committed assault and official misconduct as a result of a Fourth of July pursuit.
Billy Beavers was not present Tuesday during a hearing for pre-trial motions in Madison District Court. After serving 12 years on Berea’s force, Beavers was indicted in September on allegations that he kicked 40-year-old James Hunt of Lexington at the conclusion of the pursuit where Hunt was the passenger. He then failed to file a use of force report following the incident, the indictment alleges.
The night of the pursuit, Richmond police received a complaint about a possible drunk driver on the Robert R. Martin Bypass. RPD Patrolman Josh Petry and his field training officer, RPD Officer Stephen Parker, located Barker’s vehicle just past the Blue Grass Army Depot. The vehicle’s driver, James Barker, refused to stop for the officers and the pursuit continued into Berea where Beavers and other Berea officers joined in the pursuit, which eventually ended on Jackson Street in Berea.