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Jessamine judge to hear deputy jailer's charges

June 09, 2009|Fred Petke

A Jessamine County judge will assume the case against a suspended Clark County deputy jailer after both local judges recused themselves.

District Judge Janet Booth, who serves Jessamine, Garrard and Lincoln counties, was appointed to the case of Kenneth Earl Mitchell late last week. Mitchell, 46 of Sharpsburg, is charged with official misconduct and first-degree promoting contraband following his arrest three weeks ago.

Both Brandy Oliver Brown and Earl-Ray Neal, Clark County's two district judges, disqualified themselves from the case. Mitchell often brought jail prisoners to their courtroom in Winchester, prior to his arrest.

Mitchell will be arraigned at 9 a.m. Friday in Clark District Court. Because Williams is facing felony charges, a not guilty plea will be entered automatically, unless prosecutors offer a plea agreement.

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Mitchell is free on a $2,500 third-party surety bond.

Mitchell had worked at the jail for four years, but allegedly had smuggled drugs, tobacco and cell phones into the jail in exchange for cash or sexual favors, according to Detective Arlen Horton of the Clark County Sheriff's Office.

Mitchell was arrested on May 15 following a four-month investigation by the Sheriff's Office. Horton said several inmates and their families said Mitchell had smuggled those items into the jail for some time. He also reportedly contacted recently released prisoners and asked them to testify that he was innocent, according to the arrest citation.

Mitchell has been suspended with pay, according to Jailer Bobby Stone.

Contact Fred Petke at fpetke@winchestersun.com.

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