On February 21, 2017, a Fayette County jury found Sean O’Brien Pittman guilty of Robbery in the Second Degree and recommended a sentence of 5 years and 6 months.

On June 19, 2016, the defendant robbed a Radio Shack store, located at 524 West New Circle Road. There was a Sprint store within the Radio Shack. After entering the story, Pittman locked the door, then he threatened the clerk with a sock filled with rocks or pieces of gravel. The clerk complied with the Pittman’s demands, and he left the store with over $25,000 worth of Sprint and Radio Shack merchandise. Pittman was apprehended shortly thereafter, and was still in possession of the stolen items and the weapon he used to rob the store.

The jury had the options of convicting Pittman of Robbery First Degree, Robbery Second Degree, or Felony Theft. Sentencing is scheduled for March 30th, 2017. Prosecutors were Aaron Ann Cole and Kathy Phillips

Shooter’s Gang Membership Determined by Court

A 20-year old Lexington man has been sentenced to 10 years for second degree assault and one year for possession of cocaine. The assault victim was shot during a drug deal.

Stephon Vanzant pled guilty and was sentenced to prison earlier this month. Prior to sentencing, Vanzant challenged the Lexington Police Department’s finding that he is a member of The Westside Down Bottom Gang.

A hearing was held regarding the finding and Lexington Gang Resource Officers testified about their history with Vanzant, images they located on his social media accounts, his tattoos, and the recovery of a “Down Bottom Gang” bracelet from his person shortly before his last court hearing. Based upon the officers’ testimonies, and other evidence provided to the Court, Fayette Circuit Judge Kimberly Bunnell, found Vanzant to be a member of The Westside Down Bottom Gang. The Court relied upon the Defendant’s tattoos and the bracelet that was found in the Defendant’s possession in reaching its opinion.

Vanzant was not eligible for probation because of the firearm, but will be eligible for parole after serving 20% of his sentence. The prosecutor in the Gang Validation Hearing was Dan Laren.

Suspect Arrested Again After Release on Bond

In August of 2015, the Lexington Police Department executed a search warrant at the Spiegle Heights residence of Terrica Cayson. Narcotics detectives seized over 100 oxycodone pills, almost $16,000 in cash, and two handguns. Cayson was arrested for trafficking in narcotics and released on bond shortly thereafter.

While on bond Cayson continued to engage in narcotics activity and police returned to the residence in January of 2016, with another search warrant. Cayson was in possession of several hundred oxycodone pills and over $5,000, arrested again, and charged with trafficking in narcotics.

Ms. Cayson was 29 at the time of the first offense and has only minor misdemeanor offenses in her background, which also includes experience as a former corrections officer.

Cayson pled guilty to two counts of trafficking in a controlled substance, first degree for the 2015 and 2016 violations. On January 27, Cayson was sentenced to a total of seven years in prison, to be followed by five years of probation, with forfeiture of the narcotics, paraphernalia, firearms, and over $21,000 seized. She will be eligible for parole after serving 20% of her sentence. The prosecutor was Dan Laren.

January 23, 2017. A Fayette County jury deliberated just over an hour before finding Croley Vance Ball, Jr., guilty of Third Degree Terroristic Threatening for threatening to detonate explosives at St. Joseph Hospital in January of 2016. The jury recommended a sentence of 12 months and a $500 fine. The jury was given the options of finding Ball guilty of Terroristic Threatening Second Degree and Third Degree. Formal sentencing is scheduled for February 24, 2017, before Judge Pamela Goodwine. Prosecutors in the case were Taylor Brown and Alex Garcia