ISSUE #885 - January 23, 2026 

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. 

Commonwealth v. Amy Atwood

Judge: Molloy

Prosecutor: Ryan Oliver

Police Agency: Covington

On July 6, 2025, Covington Police responded to the 300 block of Pike Street for an assault. The victim told police Amy Atwood struck her in the face multiple times with her fists and a cell phone while the victim was driving. The victim identified Atwood as her girlfriend and told police they had been dating for a month. The victim also told police the two started arguing after Atwood was bitten by a friend's dog. The victim said she stopped her car and exited the vehicle to escape the assault. Atwood left the scene in the vehicle prior to law enforcement's arrival. The victim had bruising and heavy swelling around both of her eyes, and was bleeding from cuts on her nose. The vehicle was located a short time later at 12th & Madison in Covington. Atwood was arrested a few hours later by Covington Police Officer Matthew Raabe.

Atwood was indicted by the Kenton County Grand Jury for one count of Assault in the Second Degree. The case was called for trial before Kenton Circuit Judge Kate Molloy on January 20, 2026. Asst. Commonwealth's Attorney Ryan Oliver presented the case for the prosecution. Over the course of the two-day trial, the Commonwealth called several witnesses during its' case in chief including St. Elizabeth Medical Center Forensic Nurse, Ashley Spegal, the victim, Officer Raabe, and multiple officers from the Covington Police Department. The jury deliberated for approximately 25 minutes before returning a verdict of guilty on Assault in the Second Degree. The same jury subsequently recommended a 6 year prison sentence.

Formal, final sentencing by Judge Molloy will take place in February. As a violent offender, Atwood must serve 85% of her sentence before being eligible for parole.

GUILTY PLEAS AND SENTENCINGS:

Commonwealth v. James Haney

Judge: Summe

Prosecutor: Rob Sanders & Taylor Roof

Police Agency: Covingon

On 1/20/26 James Haney pled guilty to Robbery 1st Degree, Burglary 1st Degree, and Persistent Felony Offender. Commonwealth's Attorney Rob Sanders & Asst. Commonwealth's Attorney Taylor Roof are recommending a sentence of 20 years in prison. Formal final sentencing is set for 2/10/26.

Commonwealth v. Logan Bowman

Judge: Summe

Prosecutor: Rob Sanders

Police Agency: Covington

On 1/20/26, Bowman pled guilty to Burglary 2nd Degree and Criminal Mischief 1st Degree. Commonwealth's Attorney Rob Sanders is recommending a sentence of 10 years in prison. Final Sentencing is set for 3/10/26.

Commonwealth v. Dremar Carr

Judge: Summe

Prosecutor: Hannah Reese

Police Agency: Covington

On 1/20/26, Carr pled guilty to Wanton Endangerment 1st Degree. Asst. Commonwealth's Attorney Hannah Reese is recommending a sentence of 5 years in prison, probated for 5 years. Final Sentencing is set for 3/10/26.

Commonwealth v. Kelly Clark

Judge: Summe

Prosecutor: Maria Wentz

Police Agency: Erlanger

On 1/20/26, Clark pled guilty to Possession of Controlled Substance (meth). Asst. Commonwealth's Attorney Maria Wentz is recommending a sentence of 1 year in prison, probated for 2 years. Final Sentencing is set for 3/10/26.

Commonwealth v. Mitchell Dean

Judge: Summe

Prosecutor: Casey Burns

Police Agency: Covington

On 1/20/26, Dean pled guilty to Possession of Controlled Substance (cocaine). Asst. Commonwealth's Attorney Casey Burns is recommending a sentence of 1 year in prison, probated for 2 years. Final Sentencing is set for 3/10/26.

Commonwealth v. Bradley Heist

Judge: Summe

Prosecutor: Jordan Sherrow

Police Agency: Villa Hills

On 1/20/26, Heist pled guilty to Fleeing or Evading Police 2nd Degree. Asst. Commonwealth's Attorney Jordan Sherrow is recommending a sentence of 5 years in prison. Final Sentencing is set for 3/10/26.

Commonwealth v. Mark Klein

Judge: Summe

Prosecutor: Rob Sanders

Police Agency: Covington

On 1/20/26, Klein pled guilty to Receiving Stolen Property (firearm) and Possession of Handgun by Felon. Commonwealth's Attorney Rob Sanders is recommending a sentence of 5 years in prison. Final Sentencing is set for 3/10/26.

Commonwealth v. Brian McKinley

Judge: Summe

Prosecutor: Taylor Roof

Police Agency: Kenton Co. Police

On 1/20/26, McKinley pled guilty to Strangulations 2nd Degree and Unlawful Imprisonment 1st Degree. Asst. Commonwealth's Attorney Taylor Roof is recommending a sentence of 5 years in prison. Final Sentencing is set for 3/10/26.

Commonwealth v. Cherokee Meyer

Judge: Summe

Prosecutor: Hannah Reese

Police Agency: Covington

On 1/20/26, Meyer pled guilty to Possession of Controlled Substance (fentanyl). Asst. Commonwealth's Attorney Hannah Reese is recommending a sentence of 1 year in prison. Final Sentencing is set for 3/10/26.

Commonwealth v. Shawn Sprinkle

Judge: Summe

Prosecutor: Ryan Oliver

Police Agency: Covington

On 1/20/26, Sprinkle pled guilty to Burglary 3rd Degree and Theft by Unlawful Taking >$1000. Asst. Commonwealth's Attorney Ryan Oliver is recommending a sentence of 3.5 years in prison. Final Sentencing is set for 3/10/26.

Commonwealth v. Jamie Stanley

Judge: Summe

Prosecutor: Hunter Eickhoff

Police Agency: Covington

On 1/20/26, Stanley pled guilty to Possession of Controlled Substance (meth). Asst. Commonwealth's Attorney Hunter Eickhoff is recommending a sentence of 1 year in prison, consecutive to another case. Final Sentencing is set for 3/10/26.

Commonwealth v. David Townsend

Judge: Summe

Prosecutor: Maria Wentz

Police Agency: Covington

On 1/20/26, Townsend pled guilty to Possession of Controlled Substance (meth). Asst. Commonwealth's Attorney Maria Wentz is recommending a sentence of 1 year in prison, probated for 2 years. Final Sentencing is set for 3/10/26.

Commonwealth v. John Wagner

Judge: Summe

Prosecutor: Hannah Reese

Police Agency: Ludlow

On 1/20/26, Wagner pled guilty to Burglary 2nd Degree. Asst. Commonwealth's Attorney Hannah Reese is recommending a sentence of 5 years in prison. Final Sentencing is set for 3/10/26.

Commonwealth v. Tanner Abdon

Judge: Molloy

Prosecutor: Hunter Eickhoff

Police Agency: Edgewood

On 1/22/26, Abdon pled guilty to Possession of Controlled Substance (heroin). Asst. Commonwealth's Attorney Hunter Eickhoff recommended a sentence of 1 year in prison. On 1/22/26, Abdon was sentenced to 1 year in prison.

Commonwealth v. Jessica Benson

Judge: Molloy

Prosecutor: Casey Burns

Police Agency: Erlanger

On 1/22/26, Benson pled guilty to Theft of Identity. Asst. Commonwealth's Attorney Casey Burns recommended a sentence of 1.5 years in prison, consecutive to another case. On 1/22/26, Benson was sentenced to 1.5 years in prison.

Commonwealth v. Ja'vari Bouldin

Judge: Molloy

Prosecutor: Hannah Reese

Police Agency: Erlanger

On 1/22/26, Bouldin pled guilty to Fleeing or Evading Police 2nd Degree. Asst. Commonwealth's Attorney Hannah Reese is recommending a sentence of 1.5 years in prison. Final Sentencing is set for 3/2/26.

Commonwealth v. David Carson

Judge: Molloy

Prosecutor: Casey Burns

Police Agency: Covington

On 1/22/26, Carson pled guilty to Possession of Controlled Substance (cocaine). Asst. Commonwealth's Attorney Casey Burns recommended a sentence of 1.5 years in prison, probated for 3 years. On 1/22/26, Carson was sentenced to 1.5 years in prison, probated for 3 years.

Commonwealth v. Daniel Deitsch

Judge: Molloy

Prosecutor: Casey Burns

Police Agency: Covington

On 1/22/26, Deitsch pled guilty to Wanton Endangerment 1st Degree and Criminal Mischief 1st Degree. Asst. Commonwealth's Attorney Casey Burns is recommending a sentence of 5 years in prison, probated for 5 years. Final Sentencing is set for 3/2/26.

Commonwealth v. Piankhi Grimes

Judge: Molloy

Prosecutor: Casey Burns

Police Agency: Kenton Co. Police

On 1/22/26, Grimes pled guilty to Prohibited Acts Related to Controlled Substance. Asst. Commonwealth's Attorney Casey Burns is recommending a sentence of 4 years in prison. Final Sentencing is set for 3/2/26.

Commonwealth v. Dusten Herms

Judge: Molloy

Prosecutor: Maria Wentz

Police Agency: Covington

On 1/22/26, Herms pled guilty to Possession of Controlled Substance (fentanyl). Asst. Commonwealth's Attorney Maria Wentz recommended a sentence of 1 year in prison. On 1/22/26, Herms was sentenced to 1 year in prison.

Commonwealth v. Vernon Himes

Judge: Molloy

Prosecutor: Jordan Sherrow

Police Agency: Independence

On 1/22/26, Himes pled guilty to Wanton Endangerment 1st Degree. Asst. Commonwealth's Attorney Jordan Sherrow is recommending a sentence of 3.5 years in prison. Final Sentencing is set for 3/2/26.

Commonwealth v. Vernon Howard

Judge: Molloy

Prosecutor: Maria Wentz

Police Agency: Covington

On 1/22/26, Howard pled guilty to Possession of Controlled Substance (meth). Asst. Commonwealth's Attorney Maria Wentz recommended a sentence of 1.5 years in prison, probated for 3 years. On 1/22/26, Howard was sentenced to 1.5 years in prison, probated for 3 years.

Commonwealth v. Edgar Morales

Judge: Molloy

Prosecutor: Jordan Sherrow

Police Agency: Covington

On 1/22/26, Morales pled guilty to Wanton Endangerment 1st Degree and Fleeing or Evading Police 1st Degree. Asst. Commonwealth's Attorney Jordan Sherrow recommended a sentence of 5 years in prison. On 1/22/26, Morales was sentenced to 5 years in prison

Commonwealth v. Kevin Smart

Judge: Molloy

Prosecutor: Jordan Sherrow

Police Agency: Park Hills

On 1/22/26, Smart pled guilty to Criminal Mischief 1st Degree and Tampering with Physical Evidence. Asst. Commonwealth's Attorney Jordan Sherrow recommended a sentence of 1.5 years in prison. On 1/22/26, Smart was sentenced to 1.5 years in prison.

Commonwealth v. Terry Smith

Judge: Molloy

Prosecutor: Hunter Eickhoff

Police Agency: Covington

On 1/22/26, Smith pled guilty to Possession of Controlled Substance (meth). Asst. Commonwealth's Attorney Hunter Eickhoff recommended a sentence of 1.5 years in prison, probated for 3 years. On 1/22/26, Smith was sentenced to 1.5 years in prison, probated for 3 years.

Commonwealth v. Paul Wagner

Judge: Molloy

Prosecutor: Maria Wentz

Police Agency: Ludlow

On 1/22/26, Wagner pled guilty to Possession of Controlled Substance (cocaine). Asst. Commonwealth's Attorney Maria Wentz is recommending a sentence of 1.5 years in prison, probated for 3 years. Final Sentencing is set for 3/2/26.

Commonwealth v. Brittany White

Judge: Molloy

Prosecutor: Casey Burns

Police Agency: Kenton Co. Detention Center

On 1/22/26, White pled guilty to Promoting Contraband. Asst. Commonwealth's Attorney Casey Burns recommended a sentence of 3.5 years in prison, consecutive to another case. On 1/22/26, White was sentenced to 3.5 years in prison, consecutive to another case.

Commonwealth v. Brittany White

Judge: Molloy

Prosecutor: Casey Burns

Police Agency: Covington

On 1/22/26, White pled guilty to Possession of Controlled Substance (cocaine). Asst. Commonwealth's Attorney Casey Burns recommended a sentence of 1 year in prison. On 1/22/26, White was sentenced to 1 year in prison, consecutive to another case.

FAILED TO APPEAR - WANTED!

**Confirm All Warrants Before Arrest**

Commonwealth v. Kelly Hulsey

Original Charge: Theft by Unlawful Taking

Commonwealth v. Mitchell Waddle

Original Charge: Possession of Controlled Substance

Thank you for taking the time to stay informed about criminal justice in Kenton County.   

Sincerely,