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ISSUE #424
July 1, 2016
GREETINGS KENTON COUNTY!
 
The men and women of the Commonwealth's Attorney Office are always working hard to keep Kenton County safe.  This newsletter is intended to keep all interested parties up to date on the latest in prosecution and law enforcement news.  If you have any questions or would like additional information about the cases you see in this email, please call   (859) 292-6580 or email the Commonwealth's Attorney Office at rsanders@prosecutors.ky.gov. 
GUILTY VERDICT!
Commonwealth v. Hailey Turner
Judge: Lape
Prosecutors: Maria Schletker & Casey Burns
Police Agency: Erlanger

On August 11, 2015, Hailey Turner traveled from Nicholasville, Kentucky, to Cincinnati, Ohio, where she purchased over 6 grams of Heroin. Turner then returned to Kentucky, bringing those 6 grams of Heroin into Kenton County. Turner was en route back to Nicholasville where she could sell it for more than double the price she payed in Ohio.
 
As Turner traveled Interstate 75, the car in which she was a passenger stopped at Sunoco Gas Station on Buttermilk Pike. Erlanger Police were called to the gas station for a report of suspicious activity. Upon arrival, Officers JoshNezi and Joe Scroggins approached the vehicle where Turner was seated. During their investigation, officers located 6.527 grams of Heroin and a digital scale in Turner's handbag. Officers questioned Turner, who admitted the substance was Heroin and it was purchased from Cincinnati, Ohio earlier that night. Turner was arrested and originally charged with Possession of Heroin.
 
On September 25, 2015, the Kenton County Grand Jury returned indictments against Turner for Importing Heroin and Trafficking in a Controlled Substance, More Than 2 Grams of Heroin, rather than simple Possession.
 
The case was called for trial before Kenton Circuit Judge Kathleen Lape on June 28, 2016. Turner showed up almost 30 minutes late for trial, prompting Judge Lape to revoke her bond meaning she would be kept in jail while the court was in recess.  Assistant Commonwealth's Attorneys Maria Schletker and Casey Burns presented evidence on behalf of the Commonwealth during the two day trial. The Commonwealth's witnesses included Officer Nezi and Director Christopher Conners of the Northern Kentucky Drug Strike Force, an expert in the field of narcotics trafficking.  Nezi testified about the facts resulting in Turner's arrest. Conners testified about quantities Heroin is commonly consumed in as well as the value of the quantities. Conners also said 6 grams was such a large amount of Heroin that it shows Turner intended to traffic in the drug because no one person could consume that much.
 
The jury deliberated less than an hour before finding Turner guilty on both counts: Importing Heroin and Trafficking in a Controlled Substance, More Than 2 Grams of Heroin. During the sentencing phase of the trial, Schletker urged the jury to send a message to the community that drug dealers will not be tolerated in Kenton County!  Schletker also noted there is already too much Heroin in Northern Kentucky without people like Turner bringing even more into the state. The jury recommended a sentence of 6 years to serve on each count, running consecutively for a total of 12 years to serve. Turner must serve at least 50% of her sentence before being eligible for parole thanks to legislation passed in 2016 by the Kentucky General Assembly which increased the parole eligibility from the former 20% minimum.
GUILTY PLEAS AND SENTENCING:
Commonwealth v. David Reeves
Judge: Lape
Prosecutor: James Redwine
Police Agency: Covington

On 6/29/16 Reeves pled guilty to Possession of a Firearm by Convicted Felon, Receiving Stolen Property (Firearm), and Trafficking in Marijuana while in possession of a Firearm.  Asst. Commonwealth's Attorney Noah Wentz is recommending a sentence of 3.5 years in prison.  Final sentencing is set for 8/2/16.

Commonwealth v. Nathan Marcum 
Judge: Lape
Prosecutor: Noah Wentz
Police Agency: Covington
 
On 6/29/16 Marcum pled guilty to Possession of a Controlled Substance (cocaine). Asst. Commonwealth's Attorney Noah Wentz is recommending a prison sentence of 1.5 years, probated for 3 years.  Final Sentencing is set for 8/2/16. 

Commonwealth v. Duane Switzer 
Judge: Lape
Prosecutor: Noah Wentz
Police Agency: Ft. Wright

On 6/29/16 Switzer pled guilty to Possession of a Controlled Substance (methadone). Asst. Commonwealth's Attorney Noah Wentz is recommending a prison sentence of 1.5 years in prison, probated for 3 years.  Final Sentencing is scheduled for 8/2/16.

Commonwealth v. Tarron Hill
Judge: Lape
Prosecutor: Rachel Hensley
Police Agency: Covington

On 6/29/16 Hill pled guilty to Possession of a Controlled Substance (cocaine). Asst. Commonwealth's Attorney Rachel Hensley is recommending a sentence of 2 years in prison, probated for 3 years.  Final sentencing is set for 8/2/16.

Commonwealth v. Timothy Connett
Judge: Summe
Prosecutor: Casey Burns
Police Agency: Erlanger

On 6/27/16 Connett pled guilty to Assault 2nd Degree.  Asst. Commonwealth's Attorney Casey Burns is recommending a sentence of  7.5 years in prison, probated for 5 years.  Final sentencing is scheduled for 8/8/16.

Commonwealth v. Brittany Crawford 
Judge: Summe
Prosecutor: Maria Schletker
Police Agency: CAO

On 6/27/16 Crawford pled guilty to Bail Jumping 1st Degree. Asst. Commonwealth's Attorney Maria Schletker is recommending a sentence of 1.5 years in prison.  Final sentencing is set for 8/8/16.

Commonwealth v. Brittany Crawford
Judge: Summe
Prosecutor: Maria Schletker
Police Agency: Covington

On 6/27/16 Crawford pled guilty to Possession of a Controlled Substance.  Asst. Commonwealth's Attorney Maria Schletker is recommending a prison sentence of 1.5 years.  Final sentencing is set for 8/8/16.

Commonwealth v. Matthew Blauser
Judge: Lape
Prosecutor: Noah Wentz
Police Agency: Erlanger

On 6/27/16 Blauser pled guilty to Possession of a Controlled Substance (heron), and Receiving Stolen Property (more than $500). Asst. Commonwealth's Attorney Noah Wentz is recommending a sentence of 3 years in prison, probated for 3 years.  Final sentencing is set for 8/15/16.

Commonwealth v. Patricia Soper
Judge: Summe
Prosecutor: Corey Plybon
Police Agency: Lakeside Park

On 5/2/16 Soper pled guilty to Theft by Unlawful Taking (more than $10,000). Asst. Commonwealth's Attorney Corey Plybon recommended a sentence of 10 years in prison, probated for 5 ears. On 6/27/16, Soper was sentenced to 10 years in prison, probated for 5 years.

Commonwealth v. Khalfoni Coleman
Judge: Summe
Prosecutor: Casey Burns
Police Agency: Covington

On 5/2/16 Coleman pled guilty to 3 counts of Trafficking in a Controlled Substance (heroin), and Importing Heroin. Asst. Commonwealth's Attorney Casey Burns recommended a sentence of 5 years in prison. On 6/27/16, Coleman was sentenced to 5 years in prison.

Commonwealth v. Clarence Williams
Judge: Summe
Prosecutor: Casey Burns
Police Agency: Covington

On 5/9/16 Williams pled guilty to Trafficking in a Controlled Substance, Prohibited Acts Related to a Controlled Substance, 3 counts Trafficking in a Controlled Subsatnce (cocaine), and Promoting Contraband. Asst. Commonwealth's Attorney Casey Burns recommended a sentence of 20 years in prison. On 6/27/16, Williams was sentenced to 20 years in prison.

Commonwealth v. Scott Green  
Judge: Summe
Prosecutor: Corey Plybon
Police Agency: Independence

On 5/9/16 Green pled guilty to Burglary 2nd Degree, Fraudulent Use of a Credit Card (more than $500), and Receiving Stolen Property (more than $10,000). Asst. Commonwealth's Attorney Corey Plybon recommended a sentence of 8 years in prison. On 6/27/16, Green was sentenced to 8 years in prison.

Commonwealth v. Michael Rhein
Judge: Summe
Prosecutor: Noah Wentz
Police Agency: Kenton Co. Police

On 5/9/16 Rhein pled guilty to Possession of a Controlled Substance (oxycodone). Asst. Commonwealth's Attorney Noah Wentz recommended that Rhein, with no felony record, be ordered into the felony diversion program for 3 years.  On 6/27/16, Rhein was sentenced to 3 years diversion.

Commonwealth v. Evelyn Neinaber
Judge: Summe
Prosecutor: Emily Arnzen
Police Agency: Erlanger

On 3/2/16 Neinaber pled guilty to Forgery 2nd Degree. Asst. Commonwealth's Attorney Emily Arnzen recommended a sentence of 1.5 years in prison, probated for 3 years, consecutive to another case. On 6/27/16, Neinaber was sentenced to 1.5 years in prison, probated for 3 years consecutive to another case.

Commonwealth v. Derek Hoober
Judge: Summe
Prosecutor: Maria Schletker
Police Agency: Covington

On 5/9/16 Hoober pled guilty to Possession of a Controlled Substance (heroin). Asst. Commonwealth's Attorney Maria Schletker recommended that Hoober, with no felony record, be ordered into the felony diversion program for 3 years.. On 6/27/16, Hoober was sentenced to 3 years diversion.

Commonwealth v. Kenneth Denman
Judge: Lape
Prosecutor: Lawrence Hilton
Police Agency: Kenton Co. Detention Center

On 5/9/16 Denman pled guilty to Tampering with Prisoner Monitoring Device. Asst. Commonwealth's Attorney Lawrence Hilton recommended a sentence of 1.5 years in prison. On 6/27/16, Denman was sentenced to 1.5 years in prison.

Commonwealth v. Kenneth Denman
Judge: Summe
Prosecutor: Rachel Hensley
Police Agency: Covington

On 5/9/16 Denman pled guilty to Possession of a Controlled Substance (heroin). Asst. Commonwealth's Attorney Rachel Hensley recommended a sentence of 1.5 years in prison. On 6/27/16, Denman was sentenced to 1.5 years in prison.

Commonwealth v. Clarence Williams
Judge: Lape
Prosecutor: Casey Burns
Police Agency: Covington

On 5/25/16 Williams pled guilty to Trafficking in a Controlled Substance (more than 2 grams, heroin). Asst. Commonwealth's Attorney Casey Burns recommended a sentence of 15 years in prison, consecutive to another case. On 6/27/16, Denman was sentenced to 15 years in prison consecutive to another case.

Commonwealth v. Sharifah Howard
Judge: Lape
Prosecutor: Casey Burns
Police Agency: NKY Drug Strike Force

On 3/29/16 Howard pled guilty to Possession of a Methamphetamine Precursor. Asst. Commonwealth's Attorney Casey Burns recommended a sentence of 3.5 years in prison. On 6/27/16, Howard was sentenced to 3.5 years in prison.

Commonwealth v. Shelby Walker
Judge: Lape
Prosecutor: Casey Burns
Police Agency: Covington

On 5/25/16 Walker pled guilty to Trafficking in a Controlled Substance (less than 2 grams heroin), and Trafficking Simulated Controlled Substance. Asst. Commonwealth's Attorney Casey Burns recommended a sentence of 3 years in prison. On 6/27/16, Walker was sentenced to 3 years in prison.

Commonwealth v. Joselyn McGinnis
Judge: Lape
Prosecutor: Emily Arnzen
Police Agency: Covington

On 5/25/16 McGinnis pled guilty to Theft by Unlawful Taking (more than $500). Asst. Commonwealth's Attorney Emily Arnzen recommended that McGinnis, with no felony record, be ordered into the felony diversion program for 3 years. On 6/27/16, McGinnis was sentenced to 3 years diversion.

Commonwealth v. Cimerica Napier
Judge: Lape
Prosecutor: Corey Plybon
Police Agency: Covington

On 5/25/16 Napier pled guilty to Theft by Unlawful Taking (more than $500). Asst. Commonwealth's Attorney Corey Plybon recommended a sentence of 3 years in prison, probated for 3 years. On 6/27/16, Napier was sentenced to 3 years in prison, probated for 3 years.

Commonwealth v. Brandy Gregory
Judge: Lape
Prosecutor: Noah Wentz
Police Agency: Covington

On 5/25/16 Walker pled guilty to Possession of a Controlled Substance (heroin). Asst. Commonwealth's Attorney Noah Wentz recommended a sentence of 1.5 years in prison, probated for 3 years. On 6/27/16, Gregory was sentenced to 1.5 years in prison, probated for 3.

WANTED - FAILURE TO APPEAR
**confirm all warr
ants before arrest**

Name: Cory Skiles

City: Covington
Bond: Unknown

Original Charge(s): Theft by Unlawful Taking (more than $500)


Name: Christopher Hutchinson 1

City: Falmouth
Bond: Unknown

Original Charge(s): Possession of a Controlled Substance (cocaine)


Name: Samantha Baucom 1

City: Newport
Bond: $2,500

Original Charge(s): Criminal Possession of a Forged Instrument 2nd Degree


Name: Jeremy Hawk

City: Covington
Bond: $5,000

Original Charge(s): Flagrant Non-Support


Name: Railey Wallace

City: Rising Sun, IN
Bond: $3,000

Original Charge(s): Possession of a Controlled Substance (heroin)


Name: Modibo Sangare

City: Baltimore, MD
Bond: $2,500

Original Charge(s): Fraudulent Use of a Credit Card


Name: Thomas Jolly

City: Erlanger
Bond: $5,003

Original Charge(s): Possession of a Controlled Substance (heroin)
Thank you for taking the time to stay informed about criminal justice in Kenton County.   
 
Sincerely,
Signature
Rob Sanders
Commonwealth's Attorney Office

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