ISSUE #843 - March 14, 2025  

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. Ronell Moore

Judge: Molloy

Prosecutor: Ryan Oliver

Police Agency: Covington

On April 17, 2024 Covington Police were called to Covington Tobacco on 4th Street for a report of a shoplifting. The 911 caller told dispatchers the suspect assaulted a store employee who attempted to stop the theft, and provided a description of the suspect. Responding officers saw a man matching the description fleeing across the street and onto the Clay Wade Bailey Bridge. The suspect discarded the jacket he was wearing over the side of the bridge in an apparent attempt to change his appearance. The suspect ignored officer commands to stop and eventually a Tazer was deployed to apprehend the man who was then identified as Ronell Moore, 35, of Cincinnati.

The Kenton County Grand Jury indicted Moore for Robbery 2nd Degree and Tampering With Physical Evidence in June, 2024. The case was called for trial before Kenton Circuit Judge Kate Molloy on March 11, 2025. Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney Ryan Oliver presented the case on behalf of the prosecution which included testimony from Covington Police Officers Bradley Morris, Trenton Goshorn, and Sgt. David Hoyle. Also called as witnesses were three store employees and Covington Police Evidence Technician Susan Stadtlander. At the conclusion of the two day jury trial, Moore was convicted on both charges. The same jury then sentenced Moore to 5 years for the Robbery 2nd Degree charge and 1 year for the Tampering With Evidence charge.

Moore will appear again before Judge Molloy for formal, final sentencing on April 14, 2025.

GUILTY PLEAS AND SENTENCING:

Commonwealth v. Daniel Steenbergen

Judge: Summe

Prosecutor: Ryan Oliver

Police Agency: Erlanger

On 3/10/25, Steenbergen pled guilty to Wanton Endangerment 1st Degree. Asst. Commonwealth's Attorney Ryan Oliver recommended a sentence of 5 years in prison. On 3/10/25, Steenbergen was sentenced to 5 years in prison.

Commonwealth v. Michael Johnson

Judge: Summe

Prosecutor: Hunter Eickhoff

Police Agency: Ft. Wright

On 3/10/25, Johnson pled guilty to Possession of Controlled Substance (fentanyl). Asst. Commonwealth's Attorney Hunter Eickhoff recommended 1 year in prison consecutive to other cases. On 3/10/25, Johnson was sentenced to 1 year in prison, consecutive to other cases.

Commonwealth v. Christopher Jacobsen

Judge: Summe

Prosecutor: Patrick Grote

Police Agency: Covington

On 3/10/25, Jacobsen pled guilty to Possession of Controlled Substance. Asst. Commonwealth's Attorney Patrick Grote recommended 1 year in prison, consecutive to other cases. On 3/10/25, Jacobsen was sentenced to 1 year in prison, consecutive to other cases.

Commonwealth v. Christopher Jacobsen

Judge: Summe

Prosecutor: Patrick Grote

Police Agency: CAO

On 3/10/25, Jacobsen pled guilty to Bail Jumping 1st Degree. Asst. Commonwealth's Attorney Patrick Grote recommended 1 year in prison, consecutive to other cases. On 3/10/25, Jacobsen was sentenced to 1 year in prison, consecutive to other cases.

Commonwealth v. Walter Tucker

Judge: Summe

Prosecutor: Hunter Eickhoff

Police Agency: Covington

On 3/10/25, Tucker pled guilty to Possession of Controlled Substance (cocaine). Asst. Commonwealth's Attorney Hunter Eickhoff is recommending a sentence of 2 years in prison, probated for 2 years. Final sentencing is set for 4/15/25.

Commonwealth v. Dillon Bradford

Judge: Summe

Prosecutor: Patrick Grote

Police Agency: Covington

On 3/10/25, Bradford pled guilty to Tampering with Physical Evidence. Asst. Commonwealth's Attorney Patrick Grote is recommending a sentence of 1.5 years in prison. Final Sentencing is set for 5/13/25.

Commonwealth v. Ethan Hawes

Judge: Summe

Prosecutor: Laura Putman

Police Agency: Erlanger

On 3/10/25, Hawes pled guilty to Possession of Controlled Substance (meth). Asst. Commonwealth's Attorney Laura Putman is recommending a sentence of 2 years felony diversion. Final sentencing is set for 4/15/25.

Commonwealth v. Russell Evans

Judge: Summe

Prosecutor: Hannah Reese

Police Agency: Covington

On 3/10/25, Evans pled guilty to Possession of Controlled Substance (cocaine). Asst. Commonwealth's Attorney Hannah Reese recommended a sentence of 1 year in prison, consecutive to other cases. On 3/10/25, Evans was sentenced to 1 year in prison, consecutive to other cases.

Commonwealth v. Russell Evans

Judge: Summe

Prosecutor: Hannah Reese

Police Agency: CAO

On 3/10/25, Evans pled guilty to Bail Jumping 1st Degree. Asst. Commonwealth's Attorney Hannah Reese recommended a sentence of 2 years in prison, consecutive to other cases. On 3/10/25, Evans was sentenced to 2 years in prison, consecutive to other cases.

Commonwealth v. Ricky Helton

Judge: Summe

Prosecutor: Hunter Eickhoff

Police Agency: Villa Hills

On 10/7/24, Helton pled guilty to Possession of Controlled Substance (meth). Asst. Commonwealth's Attorney Hunter Eickhoff recommended a sentence of 1.5 years in prison. On 3/10/25, Helton was sentenced to 1.5 years in prison.

Commonwealth v. Ashley Singer

Judge: Summe

Prosecutor: Hunter Eickhoff

Police Agency: Ludlow

On 3/10/25, Singer pled guilty to Possession of Controlled Substance (cocaine). Asst. Commonwealth's Attorney Hunter Eickhoff is recommending a sentence of 1.5 years in prison, probated for 3 years. Final sentencing is set for 4/15/25.

Commonwealth v. Andrew Osborne

Judge: Summe

Prosecutor: Laura Putman

Police Agency: Covington

On 3/10/25, Osborne pled guilty to Possession of Controlled Substance (meth). Asst. Commonwealth's Attorney Laura Putman is recommending a sentence of 1.5 years in prison, probated for 3 years. Final sentencing is set for 4/15/25.

Commonwealth v. Dearius Jackson

Judge: Summe

Prosecutor: Casey Burns

Police Agency: Covington

On 3/10/25, Jackson pled guilty to Trafficking in Controlled Substance (>4g cocaine). Asst. Commonwealth's Attorney Casey Burns is recommending a sentence of 7 years in prison. Final sentencing is set for 4/15/25.

Commonwealth v. Braibel Salcedo

Judge: Summe

Prosecutor: Patrick Grote

Police Agency: Ludlow

On 3/10/25, Salcedo pled guilty to Criminal Possession of Forged Instrument 2nd Degree. Asst. Commonwealth's Attorney Patrick Grote is recommending a sentence of 1.5 years in prison, probated for 3 years. Final sentencing is set for 4/15/25.

Commonwealth v. Brian Bruch

Judge: Summe

Prosecutor: Hannah Reese

Police Agency: Elsmere

On 3/10/25, Bruch pled guilty to Criminal Mischief 1st Degree and 3 counts of Wanton Endangerment 1st degree. Asst. Commonwealth's Attorney Hannah Reese is recommending a sentence of 7 years in prison. Final sentencing is set for 4/15/25.

Commonwealth v. Myrick Barber

Judge: Summe

Prosecutor: Casey Burns

Police Agency: Covington

On 3/10/25, Barber pled guilty to Trafficking in Controlled Substance (>4g cocaine) and Trafficking in Controlled Substance (fentanyl). Asst. Commonwealth's Attorney Casey Burns is recommending a sentence of 8 years in prison. Final sentencing is set for 4/15/25.

Commonwealth v. Mark Hurst

Judge: Molloy

Prosecutor: Ryan Oliver

Police Agency: Covington

On 1/30/25, Hurst pled guilty to Burglary 3rd Degree. Asst. Commonwealth's Attorney Ryan Oliver recommended a sentence of 5 years in prison. On 3/10/25, Hurst was sentenced to 5 years in prison, probated for 5 years.

Commonwealth v. Michael Beaty

Judge: Molloy

Prosecutor: Hannah Reese

Police Agency: Covington

On 1/30/25, Beaty pled guilty to Wanton Endangerment 1st Degree. Asst. Commonwealth's Attorney Hannah Reese recommended a sentence of 2 years in prison, probated for 3 years. On 3/10/25, Duncan was sentenced to 2 years in prison, probated for 3 years.

Commonwealth v. Santiago Wilson

Judge: Molloy

Prosecutor: Casey Burns

Police Agency: NKY Drug Strike Force

On 1/30/25, Wilson pled guilty to Trafficking in Controlled Substance (>4g cocaine). Asst. Commonwealth's Attorney Casey Burns recommended a sentence of 6 years in prison. On 3/10/25, Wilson was sentenced to 6 years in prison.

Commonwealth v. Macaylie Roark

Judge: Molloy

Prosecutor: Casey Burns

Police Agency: Covington

On 1/30/25, Roark pled guilty to Prohibited Acts related to Controlled Substance. Asst. Commonwealth's Attorney Casey Burns recommended a sentence of 3 years in prison, probated for 4 years. On 3/10/25, Roark was sentenced to 3 years in prison, probated for 4 years.

Commonwealth v. Joshua Bacon

Judge: Molloy

Prosecutor: Casey Burns

Police Agency: Erlanger

On 1/30/25, Bacon pled guilty to Possession of Controlled Substance. Asst. Commonwealth's Attorney Casey Burns recommended a sentence of 3 years in prison, probated for 3 years. On 3/10/25, Bacon was sentenced to 3 years in prison, probated for 3 years.

Commonwealth v. Justin Hennessy

Judge: Molloy

Prosecutor: Casey Burns

Police Agency: Erlanger

On 1/30/25, Hennessy pled guilty to Possession of Controlled Substance. Asst. Commonwealth's Attorney Casey Burns recommended a sentence of 3 years in prison, probated for 3 years. On 3/10/25, Hennessy was sentenced to 3 years in prison, probated for 3 years.

Commonwealth v. Reginald Nelloms

Judge: Molloy

Prosecutor: Casey Burns

Police Agency: Covington

On 1/30/25, Nelloms pled guilty to 3 counts of Possession of Controlled Substance (meth, cocaine & fentanyl). Asst. Commonwealth's Attorney Casey Burns recommended a sentence of 1.5 years in prison. On 3/10/25, Nelloms was sentenced to 1.5 years in prison.

Commonwealth v. Shayla Bishop

Judge: Molloy

Prosecutor: Hannah Reese

Police Agency: Covington

On 1/30/25, Bishop pled guilty to Possession of Controlled Substance(cocaine). Asst. Commonwealth's Attorney Hannah Reese recommended a sentence of 1 year in prison. On 3/10/25, Bishop was sentenced to 2 years in prison, probated for 3 years.

FAILED TO APPEAR - WANTED!

**Confirm All Warrants Before Arrest**

Jacintas Armstrong

Original Charge:

Possession of Controlled Substance

James Jackson III

Original Charge:

Bail Jumping

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

Sincerely,