Kentucky Parole Board to conduct review for Ronald Exantus after his prison release

UPDATE: Nov. 20 at 9:30 a.m.

On Thursday, the Kentucky Parole Board is set to conduct a full review for Ronald Exantus after he declined a hearing in relation to the failure to register as a felon violation in Florida.

Officials reported that Exantus was released from a prison in Kentucky early after serving less than half of his sentence in connection with the stabbing death of 6-year-old, Logan Tipton, Woodford County child in 2015.

Thursday’s review could determine how much additional time Exantus may spend back in custody.

UPDATE: Nov. 17 at 1:30 p.m.

An officials with the Justice & Public Safety Cabinet confirmed to LEX 18 that Ronald Exantus submitted a written waiver, declining a hearing and admitting to the failure to register as a felon violation.

The official added that "The parole board will conduct a file review on Nov. 20, and the decision in writing will be made public once final."

UPDATE: Oct. 29 at 2:30 p.m.

LEX 18 obtained a letter from the Kentucky General Assembly that requested the Parole Board return Exantus to prison and "deem him ineligible for re-release."

The letter, signed by several district representatives, highlighted the severity of the case, noting that they often refrain from engaging in specific cases before the board.

"Mr. Exantus's actions in Florida represent a direct violation of his reentry, including failure to abide by the law in another jurisdiction and an apparent attempt to conceal his violent criminal history from the community in which he moved."

Read the full letter below.

UPDATE: Oct. 29 at 10:15 a.m.

According to VINE, Ronald Exantus is in custody at the Kentucky State Reformatory in La Grange, as of 7:06 a.m. on Wednesday.

According to the communication director with the Justice & Public Safety Cabinet, Exantus has the choice "between his right to a hearing or to waive that right." Upon making a decision, the Administration Law Judge (ALJ) will hold a Final Revocation Hearing.

If the judge finds probable cause, the board will conduct a file review to determine if Exantus's release should be revoked. If the board votes to revoke, Exantus will remain incarcerated in a Kentucky state prison, the director reported.

Should Exantus choose a hearing rather than waive his right, the Final Revocation Hearing will be public with notice sent once scheduled. Following that step, the Parole Board will conduct a file review, and their written decision will be public.

"Florida participates in the Interstate Compact for Adult Offender Supervision, which allowed Exantus to request and be accepted by Florida to serve out the rest of his supervision under Kentucky statute KRS 439.561," the director concluded.

UPDATE: Oct. 28 at 2 p.m.

During a press conference on Tuesday, the Marion County Sheriff's Office in Florida confirmed that Ronald Exantus is being extradited back to Kentucky.

A sheriff stated, "The parole board in Kentucky did the right thing; a unanimous vote to say 'no' to this individual being released. And because of some stupid obscure law that Kentucky has, that murderer came here. That was his mistake."

Further, the sheriff pointed out that the house Exantus was reportedly living in was "less than 40 yards from a school entrance."

The sheriff added, "And as far as I'm at, Kentucky if you're listening, keep their a***** in your state. Do not allow them to come to Florida. Definitely do not allow them to come to Marion County...We will hunt you down and ensure that you're put right back where you should be because the truth is this individual should not see the light of day."

UPDATE: Oct. 10 at 11:30 a.m.

New details, along with bodycam footage, have been released from the Marion County Sheriff's Office in the arrest of Ronald Exantus in Florida on Thursday.

Exantus was taken into custody on charges of failure to register as a convicted felon, according to an arrest affidavit from the Marion County Sheriff's Office.

Exantus was released on supervised parole on Oct. 6 after serving time for felony convictions in Kentucky. On that same day, he reported to the Florida Department of Corrections West office in Marion County, where he was instructed to register with the Marion County Sheriff's Office within 48 hours.

WATCH THE BODYCAM FOOTAGE OF ARREST:

A detective found that Exantus had obtained a Florida driver's license on Oct. 3. A search revealed Exantus is on supervised parole through Nov. 28, 2035, the affidavit read.

An officer from the Florida Department of Corrections confirmed that Exantus signed documentation on Oct. 6 acknowledging he understood the requirement to register with the sheriff's office within 48 hours.

Exantus was previously convicted in Kentucky of second-degree assault, which is considered a felony in Florida. He was adjudicated guilty but mentally ill on March 5, 2018, for the assault charge.

The arrest affidavit states there is probable cause for Exantus' arrest for failing to register as a felon within the required 48-hour time frame. He is being held without bond, the affidavit reports.

According to officials, there is no current timeline to extradite Exantus to Kentucky.

Below is the press conference from the Marion County Sheriff's Office in Florida detailing the arrest:

UPDATE: Oct. 9 at 11 p.m.

A man found not guilty by reason of insanity in the 2015 killing of 6-year-old Logan Tipton is back behind bars after failing to register as a felon in Florida, as required by state law.

Ronald Exantus was arrested on Thursday in Marion County, Florida. The county's sheriff's office confirmed he was living just blocks away from schools.

He had been released early from Kentucky custody last week on assault charges related to attacking the Tipton family.

Logan's family says they learned about Exantus' arrest through news reports rather than being contacted directly by authorities.

"We should have been the first people contacted," Logan's father said. "I'm putting you on blast. Guys, we are the victims. We matter, let us know."

Logan's sister, Koral, expressed relief at the news of Exantus' arrest.

"Our world felt like they were crashing down around us and with us. Now, knowing that he's back behind bars right now, it takes a huge weight off of our shoulders," she said. "I didn't think somebody could be that stupid to not register as a convicted felon."

In a statement, the Marion County Florida Sheriff said the situation was particularly troubling given Exantus' proximity to schools, given his criminal history.

"The fact that he was living right next to an elementary school is even more repulsive. I have no tolerance for this type of dangerous person flaunting our laws and thinking he would hide out in our county," the sheriff said.

The Tipton family praised Florida authorities for their swift action compared to their experience with Kentucky officials.

"Florida did a better job of anything than Kentucky did," Logan's mother, Heather, said.

Logan's father noted that Florida authorities seemed genuinely concerned about Exantus' presence in their community.

"I think they are upset that he was living in their town," he said.

Exantus is currently in jail with no bond. Florida's Attorney General James Uthmeier announced on Thursday, via X, that Florida officials are now working to "send him back to Kentucky."

The family previously spoke about the lasting impact of Logan's death when Exantus was released last week.

"He didn't just kill my son. He killed every member of my family, every single one of us, and every person that's sitting here today is a completely different person," Heather said.

UPDATE: Oct. 9 at 5:20 p.m.

Ronald Exantus is now back in police custody after failing to register as a felon in Florida.

In a press release, the Marion County Sheriff's Office reported that they received information that 42-year-old Exantus had relocated from Kentucky and confirmed his residency in Marion County.

He was later found to be residing in a home adjacent to an elementary school and blocks from a middle school.

Under Florida law, Exantus was required to register as a felon within 48 hours, the department reports.

“I am proud of the quick response by my deputies and the inter-agency teamwork that helped locate and arrest this disgusting individual," said Sheriff Billy Woods. "The fact that he was living right next to an elementary school is even more repulsive. I have no tolerance for this type of dangerous person flaunting our laws and thinking he would hide out in our county."

He is lodged in the Marion County Detention Center with no bond.

Original Story:

An arrest warrant has been obtained for Ronald Exantus in Florida for failing to register as a convicted felon, Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier reports.

According to Uthmeier, who made the announcement on Thursday via X, Florida officials are now working to "send him back to Kentucky."

"My office has been working with State Attorney Gladson’s office in Marion County since we were alerted that this dangerous individual who murdered a child by repeatedly stabbing him in the head was in Florida," he wrote.

Covering Kentucky

6-year-old's accused killer released, White House 'looking into' case

Ajay Patel

Exantus was released last week after serving less than ten years in connection to the death of 6-year-old Logan Tipton. Although Exantus was found not guilty by reason of insanity for Tipton's murder, he was convicted on two counts of assault.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt announced via X on Saturday that the White House was looking into the case, calling it "wholly unacceptable."

Tipton's family has been outspoken following Exantus's release.

"He didn't just kill my son. He killed every member of my family, every single one of us, and every person that's sitting here today is a completely different person than they were when they went to bed December 6," Heather Tipton said on Oct. 2.