CONVICTED: MUGSHOT ROUND-UP 27 AUGUST

THE RIVER CITY NEWS MORE COVINGTON NEWS THAN ANY OTHER SOURCE

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In this week's edition of the Mugshot Round-Up, The River City News spoke with the author of This Week in Kenton County Court, Kenton Co. Commonwealth's Attorney Rob Sanders. He will now offer more elaborate explanation about some of the issues presented in his weekly newsletter and you can read his answers right here at RCN. 

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RCN: Every week there are multiple convictions related to heroin. Is this drug growing in use in the county? What does that mean for the community?

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SANDERS: Heroin is a plague. It has taken over the drug scene in just a couple years and the problem is still growing. What many folks don't realize is almost every Burglary, Forged Instrument, Theft, and Receiving Stolen Property case is the newsletter is a heroin addict trying to get money for drugs. It all starts with pain pills which are easy to get (legally or illegally) but expensive. Heroin is very cheap. When pill addicts run out of cash, they start shooting or snorting heroin. I could go on for hours about heroin but, in short, there's only 2 ways off heroin: death or prison.

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RCN: These folks who are listed under the "Failure to Appear" header, what kind of extra trouble are they going to be in?

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SANDERS: If the defendant had notice of their court date and failed to appear, they can be charged with Bailjumping which is a D felony carrying an additional 1-5 years.

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RCN: What's up with the mugshots of a brick wall?

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SANDERS: We use the brick wall when there is no photo of the defendant. We get our mugshots off http://www.jailtracker.com/kncdc/kenton_inmatelist.html but some defendants are not on there either because they were never booked into the jail, or just a computer glitch. Originally I used a cartoon inmate with "No Photo Available" printed over it but then came across an empty photo of the brick wall one day and found it more amusing. This is easily the most common question about the newsletter.

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And now, let's take a look at who's going to prison, who got probation, and who's on the loose...

The following is part of a long list of individuals convicted this week in Kenton County Circuit Court for crimes ranging from burglaries and robberies to drugs and child pornography and more.

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More mugshots with an explanation of the crime and length of recommended sentence is available at the link below, courtesy of Kenton County Commonwealth's Attorney Rob Sanders. Some have been sent away, some are awaiting sentencing, and others will get probation. Whatever they end up with, let's hope as a community that they return healthy and rehabilitated, otherwise the cycle continues. Click the link.

More: This Week in Kenton Circuit Court 

CONVICTED: MUGSHOT ROUND-UP 20 AUGUST

THE RIVER CITY NEWS MORE COVINGTON NEWS THAN ANY OTHER SOURCE

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FACEBOOK: The River City News

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YOUTH PASTOR SENTENCED FOR SEXUAL ABUSE OF BOY

The full story behind the arrest, conviction, and sentencing of Jason Cline who sexually abused a 13-year old boy while serving as a youth leader at a local church, via Kenton County Commonwealth's Attorney Rob Sanders:

Jason Cline

On September 1, 2011, an employee of Community Family Church in Independence observed Jason Cline touching a 13 year old boy. The touching was not sexual at the time but obviously inappropriate. The employee reported the observation to the boy's mother. The mother became angry, called Cline, and demanded that he stay away from her son. After the call from the boy's irate mother, Cline began calling and text messaging other members of the church and made admissions to inappropriate sexual contact with the boy. The boys parents contacted church leaders and a meeting was held the next day. After the meeting, the church's pastor notified Cline that he was being removed as a Youth Leader and was no longer welcome at the church. During the meeting Cline admitted he "relieved the juvenile on several occasions" in an apparent reference to providing manual sexual gratification.
The boys parents also contacted Kenton County Police. Detective Rob Scroggin was assigned to investigate the case and began collecting statements, text messages, and emails from the various witnesses with whom Cline had communicated. Originally the victim downplayed the extent of the abuse to his parents. When interviewed at the NKY Children's Advocacy Center, however, the boy disclosed seven incidents of abuse during the months of July and August, 2011. When Detective Scroggin went looking for the suspect, Cline was nowhere to be found in NKY and reportedly hiding in Ohio. On September 15, 2011, Scroggin sought and received a warrant for Cline's arrest, charging him with 1st Degree Sexual Abuse. Cline was subsequently arrested and returned to Kenton County. Cline was then indicted by the Kenton County Grand Jury for 7 counts of the same offense for the sequence of events with the same child victim.
The case was called for trial before Kenton Circuit Judge Patricia Summe on August 15, 2012. Asst. Commonwealth's Attorney Megan Mersch presented testimony and evidence from Detective Scroggin, the juvenile victim, the victim's mother, the church pastor, and three additional church employees to whom the defendant made admissions. A representative of Cricket mobile phones was also flown to Kentucky to testify to the authenticity of the text message admissions found in the Defendant's phone records. Cline took the stand in his own defense and claimed he only provided "sports massages" to the 13 year old and that any witness who got the idea things were sexual was mistaken.
At the conclusion of the two day trial, jurors took just over an hour to convict Cline as charged on all counts. At the sentencing phase of the trial, Cline faced 1 to 20 years in prison. Jurors took about 2 hours to decide Cline should go to prison for 15 years. Cline must also register as a sexual offender and be subjected to numerous restrictions upon his release from prison. Formal, final sentencing will take place in September.

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Who's going to prison? Who got probation? And who's on the loose?

The following is part of a long list of individuals convicted this week in Kenton County Circuit Court for crimes ranging from burglaries and robberies to drugs and child pornography and more.

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More mugshots with an explanation of the crime and length of recommended sentence is available at the link below, courtesy of Kenton County Commonwealth's Attorney Rob Sanders. Some have been sent away, some are awaiting sentencing, and others will get probation. Whatever they end up with, let's hope as a community that they return healthy and rehabilitated, otherwise the cycle continues. Click the link.

More: This Week in Kenton Co Circuit Court 

CONVICTED: MUGSHOT ROUND-UP 13 AUGUST

THE RIVER CITY NEWS MORE COVINGTON NEWS THAN ANY OTHER SOURCE

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FACEBOOK: The River City News

@theRCnews on Twitter  

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Who's going to prison? Who got probation? And who's on the loose?

The following is part of a long list of individuals convicted this week in Kenton County Circuit Court for crimes ranging from burglaries and robberies to drugs and flagrant non-support and more.

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More mugshots with an explanation of the crime and length of recommended sentence is available at the link below, courtesy of Kenton County Commonwealth's Attorney Rob Sanders. Some have been sent away, some are awaiting sentencing, and others will get probation. Whatever they end up with, let's hope as a community that they return healthy and rehabilitated, otherwise the cycle continues. Click the link.

This Week in Kenton Co Circuit Court 

CONVICTED: MUGSHOT ROUND-UP 4 AUGUST

THE RIVER CITY NEWS MORE COVINGTON NEWS THAN ANY OTHER SOURCE

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FACEBOOK: The River City News

@theRCnews on Twitter  

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SEE PREVIOUSLY:

A fist fight between girls on the Eastside ended with a man shot last summer. Now two people are headed to prison. Full story at the link.

Full story: 

Two People Convicted After Fight Between Girls Leads to Shooting 

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Who's going to prison? Who got probation? And who's on the loose?

The following is part of a long list of individuals convicted this week in Kenton County Circuit Court for crimes ranging from burglaries to drugs and more.

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More mugshots with an explanation of the crime and length of recommended sentence is available at the link below, courtesy of Kenton County Commonwealth's Attorney Rob Sanders. Some have been sent away, some are awaiting sentencing, and others will get probation. Whatever they end up with, let's hope as a community that they return healthy and rehabilitated, otherwise the cycle continues. Click the link.

This Week in Kenton Co Circuit Court 

CONVICTED: MUGSHOT ROUND-UP 30 JULY

THE RIVER CITY NEWS MORE COVINGTON NEWS THAN ANY OTHER SOURCE

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FACEBOOK: The River City News

@theRCnews on Twitter  

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Who's going to prison? Who got probation? And who's on the loose?

The following is part of a long list of individuals convicted this week in Kenton County Circuit Court for crimes ranging from burglaries to weapons possession to drugs and more.

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More mugshots with an explanation of the crime and length of recommended sentence is available at the link below, courtesy of Kenton County Commonwealth's Attorney Rob Sanders. Some have been sent away, some are awaiting sentencing, and others will get probation. Whatever they end up with, let's hope as a community that they return healthy and rehabilitated, otherwise the cycle continues. Click the link.

This Week in Kenton Circuit Court 

CONVICTED: MUGSHOT ROUND-UP 20 JULY

THE RIVER CITY NEWS MORE COVINGTON NEWS THAN ANY OTHER SOURCE

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FACEBOOK: The River City News

@theRCnews on Twitter  

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Who's going to prison? Who got probation? And who's on the loose?

The following is part of a long list of individuals convicted this week in Kenton County Circuit Court for crimes ranging from burglaries to weapons possession to drugs and more.

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More mugshots with an explanation of the crime and length of recommended sentence is available at the link below, courtesy of Kenton County Commonwealth's Attorney Rob Sanders. Some have been sent away, some are awaiting sentencing, and others will get probation. Whatever they end up with, let's hope as a community that they return healthy and rehabilitated, otherwise the cycle continues. Click the link.

This Week in Kenton Circuit Court 

CONVICTED: MUGSHOT ROUND-UP 16 JULY

THE RIVER CITY NEWS MORE COVINGTON NEWS THAN ANY OTHER SOURCE

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FACEBOOK: The River City News

@theRCnews on Twitter  

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by Michael Monks 

Email Michael

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Who's going to prison? Who got probation? And who's on the loose?

The following is part of a long list of individuals convicted this week in Kenton County Circuit Court for crimes ranging from burglaries to weapons possession to drugs and more.

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More mugshots with an explanation of the crime and length of recommended sentence is available at the link below, courtesy of Kenton County Commonwealth's Attorney Rob Sanders. Some have been sent away, some are awaiting sentencing, and others will get probation. Whatever they end up with, let's hope as a community that they return healthy and rehabilitated, otherwise the cycle continues. Click the link.

This Week in Kenton Circuit Court 

CONVICTED: MUGSHOT ROUND-UP 7 JULY

THE RIVER CITY NEWS MORE COVINGTON NEWS THAN ANY OTHER SOURCE

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FACEBOOK: The River City News

@theRCnews on Twitter  

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by Michael Monks 

Email Michael

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Who's going to prison? Who got probation? And who's on the loose?

The following is a list of individuals convicted this week in Kenton County Circuit Court for crimes ranging from burglaries to weapons possession to drugs and more.

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More mugshots with an explanation of the crime and length of recommended sentence is available at the link below, courtesy of Kenton County Commonwealth's Attorney Rob Sanders. Some have been sent away, some are awaiting sentencing, and others will get probation. Whatever they end up with, let's hope as a community that they return healthy and rehabilitated, otherwise the cycle continues. Click the link.

This Week in Kenton Co Circuit Court

CONVICTED: MUGSHOT ROUND-UP 30 JUNE

THE RIVER CITY NEWS MORE COVINGTON NEWS THAN ANY OTHER SOURCE

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FACEBOOK: The River City News

@theRCnews on Twitter  

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by Michael Monks 

Email Michael

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UPDATE: 9:35AM. Kenton County Commonwealth's Attorney Rob Sanders reports that Felix Santos Velez was captured in Cincinnati last night by the Kenton County Sheriff's Office and the United States Marshals.  Velez now faces felony bailjumping charges as well. Original post is below.

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Convicted of serious assault charge, man flees trial

Apparently seeing the guilty writing on the wall during his trial for assaulting a man in Covington's Austinburg neighborhood, Felix Santos Velez did not return to court after the first day. More from Commonwealth's Attorney Rob Sanders: 

Felix Santos Velez

On August 21, 2011, Covington Police responded to the area of 17th & Maryland Avenue for a report of a possible shooting. Officer James Laurence arrived and found a 40 year old man bleeding from a serious wound to his head. Officers discovered that the wound was not the result of a gunshot, but rather from being hit over the head with a tree branch. Witnesses said that prior to the assault, several younger females were involved in an altercation on the street. One of the females was the victim's daughter. Witnesses said the victim broke up the fight between the women and was in the process of herding his daughter back into their home when he was struck over the head with the wood. 

The witnesses only knew the suspect as "Felix" but did not know his last name. They did, however, know that he was dating a young woman who lived in the same direction in which the suspect fled. Officers responded to the girlfriend's residence and located Felix Santos Velez inside. Witnesses identified Velez as the man who hit the victim but said he changed clothes. A search of the residence produced clothes that Velez was wearing at the time of the assault. The victim was transported to the hospital where we would be treated for a brain injury. Eventually the victim would undergo multiple surgeries, lose a small portion of his skull, and suffer long lasting brain impairment. Velez claimed he struck the victim in self defense but his version of the events did not match those of the multiple witnesses, who all claimed the victim had his back turned and never attempted to hit Velez. Covington Police arrested Velez and charged him with 1st Degree Assault.

The case was called for trial before Kenton Circuit Judge Martin Sheehan on June 26, 2012. Asst. Commonwealth's Attorney Megan Mersch presented testimony and evidence on behalf of the Commonwealth in the two day trial. Velez, however, had apparently heard enough of the Commonwealth's evidence in just the first day because he failed to return to court for the second day of trial. After a long delay while the defense attorney attempted to locate his client, the trial resumed against Velez in abstentia. At the conclusion of the evidence, and with Velez still conspicuously absent, the jury deliberated for less than an hour befor finding Velez guilty as charged. After a short sentencing hearing, the jury recommended that Velez serve 12 1/2 years in prison when located. 

Judge Sheehan issued a warrant for the arrest of Velez. Formal, final sentencing will be scheduled once Velez is located. Velez is believed to be hiding locally, probably in Covington. If you see Velez, call 911. Do not attempt to apprehend him. He should be considered armed and dangerous.

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Others convicted in Kenton Co this week: 

The following people are on the list from this week's activity in Kenton County Circuit Court. Some are going to prison while others got probation or were sent to the felony diversion program. A few more are still wanted for failing to appear in court: 

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See what their sentences are along with more mugshots at the link with explanations of charges and recommended sentences from the office of Kenton County Commonwealth's Attorney Rob Sanders.   Some have been sent away, some are awaiting sentencing, and others will get probation. Whatever they end up with, let's hope as a community that they return healthy and rehabilitated, otherwise the cycle continues. Click the link below. 

This Week in Kenton County Circuit Court 

DRUG SWEEP LEADS TO ARRESTS ALL OVER COVINGTON

THE RIVER CITY NEWS MORE COVINGTON NEWS THAN ANY OTHER SOURCE

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FACEBOOK: The River City News

@theRCnews on Twitter  

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by Michael Monks 

Email Michael

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UPDATE: Covington Police have updated the arrest total to 36 as of late Thursday night.
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ORIGINAL POST: 
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Ninety suspected drug dealers were targeted for arrest in a city-wide sweep led by Covington Police Thursday afternoon and evening. By the time the sweep started, fifteen suspects were in jail on unrelated charges while the addresses of ten others were unknown leaving more than sixty targets for arrest. Covington Police with the assistance of deputies from the Kenton County Jail, the Commonwealth's Attorney office, and helicopter surveillance from the Air National Guard, hit most of the City's neighborhoods in an effort to round up as many as possible. At the time of this posting, more than ten had been rounded up. 

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The River City News was invited to ride with a team of officers for several stops in the sweep, part of an eight month-long investigation involving undercover officers buying pills, heroin, and other drugs from the dealers. Police Chief Spike Jones says official numbers from today's efforts will be released later and that efforts will continue throughout the weekend. On Monday, those suspects that have not been captured will see their mugshots or wanted photos released to the media. Check out images from Thursday's sweep below: 

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Lots more photos below, just click the link!

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