Todd Willard was sworn in as an Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney this morning by Chief Fayette Circuit Judge Pamela Goodwine. Before becoming a prosecutor, Todd practiced in civil litigation, primarily medical malpractice defense, where he has tried several cases in state and federal courts. Todd graduated from Western Kentucky University with a degree in biochemistry and then earned his law degree from the University of Kentucky College of Law. He is originally from Oldham County, Kentucky.

On June 1, 2017, defendant Zachary Eugene Adkins was convicted by a jury of Theft by Unlawful Taking Over $10,000, two counts of Theft by Unlawful Taking under $10,000 and Receiving Stolen Property under $10,000. Between May 20th and May 27th 2016, Adkins stole and possessed four different vehicles in Fayette County. Adkins broke into each vehicle and “punched” the ignition, or damaged the ignition in a way that allowed him to start the vehicle with a screwdriver or tool instead of a key. Adkins was also convicted of Persistent Felony Offender First Degree, an enhancement based on his criminal history. The jury recommended a sentence of 11 years on the Theft by Unlawful Taking Over $10,000 and 10 years on each of the remaining charges, for a total of 11 years. Due to his criminal history, the defendant will be required to serve 10 years of his sentence before he becomes eligible for parole. Sentencing will be July 14, 2017. This case was tried in the Ninth Division before the Honorable Judge Kimberly Bunnell. The prosecutors were Francisco Villalobos II and Aaron Ann Cole.

After three days of trial, Donald Roark was convicted of manslaughter second degree in the shooting death of Corenz White on January 3, 2016. Roark had gone to an apartment complex off of Red Mile Road with White and the White’s brother in the late hours of January 2, 2016. During a confrontation after a party that evening, the Roark shot Corenz White in the chest resulting in his death. Body camera from an apartment security guard captured Roark dragging the body of Corenz White through the apartment complex shortly after the shooting. Roark was indicted for murder, but the jury found him guilty of the lesser offense of manslaughter 2nd Degree, recommending the maximum sentence of 10 years. Roark is scheduled for sentencing before Judge Thomas Travis, 8th Division, on July 21, 2016. Prosecutors were Paco Villalobos and Kathy Phillips.

Ji’Ya Alcorn is an impressive 14 year old, in many ways. Not the least of which is that she has already survived devastating loss in her young life after her 16 year old brother, Chaz was murdered in 2012. Ji’Ya did not give up and succumb to grief; instead she has worked harder than ever to make a difference in the world. She excels in school, shines on the Henry Clay softball team and recently had her first job interview. In addition to all of that, she was just awarded 1st prize in an essay contest held as a part of the #NOMOREHIDDENFIGURES put on by the Nerd Squad. You can read her wonderful essay here: Peace at War

Stolen Police Rifle Recovered

At about 10:30 p.m. on February 3, 2015 Lexington police responded to a robbery call at a convenience store on Newtown Pike. The victims reported that a man came into the store armed with an assault rifle and took cash, cigarettes, lottery tickets, and other items before leaving on
foot. A K-9 team established a track from the store to a nearby storage facility and located a suspect, who was identified as Kyler Aery, shortly thereafter. Aery was carrying a backpack and initially told the officers he was visiting his storage unit before trying to find a place to sleep for the night.

Security footage from the store showed the suspect entering with an assault rifle, taking the property, and wiping down the door as he left. Video from the storage facility showed a suspect climbing over the fence and entering one of the buildings. Aery was Mirandized and admitted to committing the robbery but stated the rifle used was a toy that he had thrown away. Police recovered several thousand dollars from the backpack and obtained a search warrant for Aery’s storage unit.

The search warrant led to the discovery of the loaded AR-15 assault rifle used to commit the robbery, checks and documents from the store, and other items including clothing that matched the security video and the stolen lottery tickets and cigarettes. The rifle had been reported stolen from a locked police cruiser in an adjacent county earlier the same day. It became apparent that Aery had changed clothes and hidden most of the stolen items in his storage unit before the police located him.

Criminal records show Aery, 30, has a relatively minor history in Kentucky, but a variety of activity from other states, including a felony burglary conviction from Wisconsin. Aery pled guilty to Robbery, First Degree and Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon and was sentenced to serve 13 years in the penitentiary.