Office of the Fayette Commonwealth's Attorney

1,358 gun and gang cases results in 97.6% conviction rate.

Nine years ago the Lexington/Fayette County Cease-Fire Project began. It brought federal, state and local prosecutors and law enforcement together twice-a-month to discuss crimes in which guns were used and cases involving gang activity. The purpose of the project was to decide how to most effectively prosecute these dangerous criminals. Read more »

Click on the video below to watch the May 1, 2010 episode of Kentucky Newsmakers with Bill Bryant and Ray Larson.

Massachusetts prosecutors are charging more students in “Bullying” cases
A criminal crackdown on vicious school bullies is sweeping Massachusetts. Two students who created a cruel YouTube video of a special needs students are facing charges. Police and prosecutors are not waiting for a new law which specifically targets bullies. They are bringing charges based on existing statutes such as stalking, harassment, identity fraud among others. Read more »

Staggering toll of homicide in the black community
According to a recent report, blacks make up 13 percent of the population and 49 percent of all homicide victims. Data from the FBI’s Supplemental Homicide Report found that the homicide rate for blacks in the U.S. is five times the national average and nearly seven times greater than for whites. 86 percent of the black homicide victims were male, and 82 percent were killed by guns. Read more »

If an arrestee is booked into the Fayette County jail and does not have a social security number, the jail personnel create one for him/her that begins with 999 as the first three numbers. In addition, if the place of birth is outside the United States, the jail records reflect that fact. Read more »

During January 2010, serious crime (Part I crimes) in Lexington increased by 9.9% compared to January 2009.  There were 7 more reported Rapes, 32 more reported Burglaries and 74 more Larceny offenses which contributed to the increase. Read more »

Lt. James Curless, Dets. Rob Wilson, Matt Brotherton & Matt Sharp

The Lexington Police Department’s Homicide Unit investigates homicides and serious assaults that occur in Fayette County. This group of detectives was responsible for a 92% clearance rate in 2009 and a 93% clearance rate in 2008. This is especially noteworthy because the national clearance rate for homicides and non-negligent manslaughters was 63.6 % in 2008. The national rate for 2009 has not yet been released. Read more »

By Detective Shannon Garner

Recently, I was reminded of the importance of working relationships between crime-fighters. It is easy to forget how important it is to encourage and rely on one another as we go about our stressful jobs.

Police, prosecutors, probation and parole officers, sheriffs, detention officers and many others who work in the criminal justice system to keep our community safe, are sometimes overwhelmed just trying to keep up with day-to-day tasks. Read more »

We have reviewed the homicides which occurred in Lexington during 2009. The following is the analysis of those homicides. Read more »

By Kenton County Commonwealth’s Attorney Rob Sanders

Hon. Douglas Wright

Congratulations to Commonwealth’s Attorney Linda Tally Smith (Boone/Gallatin) and Commonwealth’s Attorney Jim Crawford (Grant/Owen/Carroll) for the successful prosecution of Daniel Keith Gabbard for the Murder of Commonwealth’s Attorney Douglas Wright in Pendleton County.  Wright was crushed to death when Gabbard’s semi tractor crossed the yellow line and ran over Wright’s car. Read more »