MAIL FRAUD INDICTMENT
Former auto plant worker indicted in federal mail fraud case
GEORGETOWN, Ky. (AP) — A federal grand jury has indicted a former Kentucky auto plant worker accused of stealing parts from the facility and selling them online, profiting more than $250,000.
News outlets report the 14 count indictment came down Thursday for Randall Perry.
Court documents state Perry took laser scanners and electronic components from his former job at the Toyota Motor Manufacturing plant in Georgetown. The indictment says Perry sold the parts on eBay between Nov. 2015 and Nov. 2017.
If convicted, Perry would have to forfeit the more than $250,000 he’s accused of obtaining in the scheme, and could be sentenced to up to 20 years in prison.
Perry is scheduled to appear in federal court in July. It is unclear if he had a lawyer who could comment.
POLICE CHASE-LAWSUIT
Kentucky high court rules police can be sued in deadly chase
(Information from: Lexington Herald-Leader, http://www.kentucky.com)
LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) — The Kentucky Supreme Court has ruled that police can be sued for damages when their car chases lead to the death or injury of third parties.
The Lexington Herald-Leader reports the court’s 6-1 ruling on Thursday overturned a 1952 decision that had granted police blanket immunity. The ruling will align Kentucky practice with that of most other states where juries are allowed to decide whether police are at fault.
In the case at hand, the children of Luis Gonzalez will be allowed to sue the Scott County sheriff and a deputy for damages related to their father’s death.
Gonzalez died in 2014 when a suspected drug dealer crashed head-on into his vehicle during a chase.
Attorney Barry Stilz, representing the sheriff’s office, said they are disappointed with the ruling.
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OWENSBORO VIOLENCE
Owensboro man wants to stop town’s growing violence
(Information from: Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer, http://www.messenger-inquirer.com)
OWENSBORO, Ky. (AP) — An Owensboro man is trying to bring residents together to stop the town’s growing violence.
The Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer reports , in a year that is not quite half over there have been five homicides within the city and two in the county, all gun-related.
That’s already one more homicide than the six for all of 2018.
The most recent occurred on Sunday, when 25-year-old Nicholas Decker was found at home with a gunshot wound shortly after midnight.
Decker’s friend Zachary Miller was one of those who showed up at a Thursday community meeting. He said it is important to bring people together for something positive.
The meeting was organized by Tim Collier, who said the goal is to “win these streets back.”
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ARMY ANNIVERSARY
Fort Campbell celebrates Army’s 244th birthday
FORT CAMPBELL, Ky. (AP) — Soldiers and others at Fort Campbell have marked the Army’s 244th birthday with a celebration at the post on the Kentucky-Tennessee state line.
Celebrating Thursday were leaders of the 101st Airborne Division, Blanchfield Army Community Hospital, U.S. Army Garrison Fort Campbell, tenant units and civilian guests.
The post said the ceremony followed tradition, with the senior commander joined by the oldest and youngest soldiers in the division to cut a cake.
After 101st Airborne deputy commander Col. Clair Gill, Lt. Col. John McDonough of Blanchfield received the second piece of cake. McDonough, who was born in 1957, spent years in the Navy and joined the Army in 2010. The post said he passed his slice of cake to Pvt. Justin Davila, who was born in 2001 and joined the Army last year.
TEXT 911
Text 911 service launches in 4 central Kentucky counties
LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) — Officials say people in four central Kentucky counties can now use texting to communicate with emergency dispatchers.
Lexington Mayor Linda Gorton said in a statement on Thursday that people can now send text messages to 9-1-1 call centers in Fayette, Jessamine, Garrard and Lincoln counties. She said operators can also send text messages to a 9-1-1 caller if needed.
Gorton called it “a huge step forward in public safety.”
Lexington Division of Enhanced 9-1-1 Director Robert Stack says text messages should include the location of the emergency and an explanation of the help needed. He says messages should be brief and shouldn’t include photos or videos, which can’t be sent.
WANTED MAN-ASSAULT
Police: Driver dragged Kentucky officer through Kroger lot
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — A man is accused of trapping a Kentucky trooper’s arm in his car window, dragging the officer through a Kroger parking lot and nearly crashing into other officers.
News outlets report 26-year-old Thomas Trummer Jr. was arrested Thursday in Louisville on charges including third-degree assault. The charges stem from a Tuesday clash between Trummer and the trooper.
Police say a patrolling trooper noticed Trummer slumped over in his car and approached him. They say the trooper had an arm through Trummer’s window when Trummer rolled it up and drove off, dragging the trooper.
An arrest warrant was issued, but Trummer evaded authorities until Thursday when he was confronted by troopers in Louisville. Police say he tried to flee and nearly crashed into police. Charges in that confrontation are pending.
