Identity Theft

A Powell County man has been sentenced to a year in jail over a case of identity theft that some say resulted in the death of 20-year-old Winchester resident Jonathan Brewer. Thomas Brock Watkins, 22, pleaded guilty in Clark Circuit Court on Friday to identity theft and driving without an operator's license. The crimes occurred last March, when Watkins caused an accident on Mountain Parkway. He identified himself as Brewer, a former classmate, and did not produce a driver's license.

A local man was charged Tuesday night with identity theft. Boyle County Deputy Sheriff Marty Elliott said Efrain Cervantes, 27, of 135 E. Walnut St., Apt. 4, allegedly was using a current identification of Ricardo Acevedo, 33, of McAllen, Texas. The warrant said Cervantes used the identity with the intent to obtain benefits or property that he otherwise would not be entitled to. Cervantes was lodged in the Boyle County Detention Center and probably will be sent back to Mexico, Elliott said.

First, the bad news: There's still plenty of identity theft out there. Now, the better news: There's not as much as in previous years. And here's the best news: You can do a lot to protect yourself from being victimized. What is identity theft? It basically involves someone getting some pieces of information about you - name, Social Security number, credit card numbers, "pre-approved" credit card offers - and using this data to make purchases or withdraw funds from your accounts.

As the world becomes more dependent on computer technology, protecting personal information is becoming more important as the number of cases of identity theft increases each year. Whether or not people use a computer themselves, their personal and financial information is being used and stored on computers by their financial and health care institutions. And while people who use the Internet are most at risk of identity theft, everyone is vulnerable, whether they know it or not, and care must be taken to protect personal information.

Sen. Ed Worley, D-Richmond, filed legislation Wednesday to put more teeth into the identity theft law, according to a new release from the senator's office. Senate Bill 102 proposes that anyone who uses another person's name, Social Security number or other identifying information to avoid criminal prosecution can be charged with identity theft. Under current law, a person who gives police officers a false name can be charged with a misdemeanor. Senate Bill 102 will make this a felony offense.

LIBERTY - Three people were indicted May 25 on theft of identity charges in Casey Circuit Court, according to records in Clerk Craig Overstreet's office. Thomas M. Sturgeon, 39, of 142 Stanford Ave., Danville, is accused of theft of identify of David G. Campbell. Trooper Mike Woodrum was the grand jury witness. Sturgeon's bond is $2,500 cash or property. He will be arraigned 1 p.m. June 29. Terry J. Mounce, 39, Pulaski County Detention Center, Somerset, and Linda S. Wilson, also known as Linda S. Mounce, 41, no address listed, were charged in a separate identity theft incident in June 2004.

LEXINGTON  - The owner of Go Go Gorillas will be arraigned in federal court next week after being indicted on wire fraud and identity theft charges. Christopher Turner, 49, of Danville, will appear before Judge Karl S. Forester in U.S. District Court in Lexington on Tuesday on six counts of wire fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft stemming from allegations he defrauded investors out of millions of dollars while trying keep Go Go Gorillas afloat. A conviction on the wire fraud charges carries a maximum sentence of 20 years while the identity theft charge carries a mandatory two-year prison sentence to run consecutive to any other jail time.

Woman charged with identity theft LANCASTER - A woman with at least three aliases who was arrested last week in Lancaster on drug charges was arrested again on charges of identity theft. Amanda G. Hopkins, 24, of Owensboro was arrested March 13 on suspicion of marijuana possession and having materials to make methamphetamine under the alias of Melissa Spoonamore. She was arrested with Christopher Spoonamore, 23, of Berea, who was also accused of having materials used in the manufacture of methamphetamine.

WINCHESTER POLICE Reports - At 4:45 a.m. Thursday, police received a report of theft at 7 Holly Ave. - At 6:34 a.m. Thursday, police received a report of a stolen car stereo from 124 Ashley Drive. - At 7:50 a.m. Thursday, police received a report of a ransacked car at 706 Estes Drive. - At 11:35 a.m. Thursday, police received a report of a camera stolen from Cambridge Apartments. - At 11:51 a.m. Thursday, police received a report of identity theft.

LEXINGTON  - The owner of Go Go Gorillas will be arraigned in federal court next week after being indicted on wire fraud and identity theft charges. Christopher Turner, 49, of Danville, will appear before Judge Karl S. Forester in U.S. District Court in Lexington on Tuesday on six counts of wire fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft stemming from allegations he defrauded investors out of millions of dollars while trying keep Go Go Gorillas afloat. A conviction on the wire fraud charges carries a maximum sentence of 20 years while the identity theft charge carries a mandatory two-year prison sentence to run consecutive to any other jail time.

A Danville woman charged in an alleged murder conspiracy in Lincoln County likely will plead guilty next month in Boyle Circuit Court on related charges. Jessica N. Callahan, 27, was indicted last summer in the identity theft of her then girlfriend, Bridget Paige.  Callahan allegedly used Paige's identity to withdraw more than $500 from her bank account. Callahan appeared Tuesday in Boyle Circuit Court where it was decided she will enter her plea April 18. Commonwealth's Attorney Richie Bottoms said, “We don't have a specific agreement.

BOYLE DISTRICT COURT Cases handled recently in Boyle District Court, listed by name, charge, fine and jail sentence, where applicable, include the following. Court costs also were assessed in most cases. Ages and addresses are listed if available. Angela Kircher, 32, 111 B Highland Court, second-degree cruelty to animals, $217.60 restitution to Boyle County Circuit Court and $50 donation to Boyle County Animal Control. Chasity Hamilton, Bardstown, theft by deception less than $500, 45 days, concurrently with state time now serving, restitution; five counts of contempt of court, restitution and fees.

 A Boyle County grand jury has indicted five teenagers in connection with the most recent robbery of a Danville truck stop. Kenneth Williams, Darrell Mitchell and Devon Dean, all 19 and from Harrodsburg, and Raymarcause L. Simon, 19, of 109 W. Ashley Way, Danville, each were charged with first-degree robbery and unlawful transaction with a minor for allegedly carrying guns into Bluegrass Truck Stop and taking money from the clerk on July 19....

Editor's note: Taken from the Danville 911 records, the Police Blotter represents a history of the initial calls and the information used by the dispatcher to send officers to investigate complaints. It is not necessarily an indication of what the officer found upon arrival at the scene, or of how police may have dealt with the complaint. AUGUST 30 12:06 a.m., caller can see brake lights on amongst all the equipment being used for the new road off of Lexington Road; lights were on a piece of equipment but it was locked up and officers couldn't access it. 1:24 a.m., vehicle stop on Walton Avenue; female under arrest and tow company contacted.

Charged - Zachary Thomas Black, 23, of 510 Edison Court, was charged Wednesday with reckless driving, possession of marijuana, buying or possessing drug paraphernalia and second-degree possession of a controlled substance. - Angela R. Crowe, 35, of 200 Hickory Lane, was charged Thursday with public intoxication and illegal possession of a legend drug. - David Havens, 45, of Mount Sterling, was charged Thursday with public intoxication and possession drug paraphernalia.

The following people were indicted recently by a Casey County grand jury: Jordan Lee McAninch, 24, of Stanford, receiving stolen and theft more than $500 for allegedly having property belonging to Tommy Owens Used Cars on April 6 and taking property belonging to Diana Ratcliff on April 7. Bonds were set at $2,500. Deputy Chad Weddle testified before the grand jury. Alan Lee Gaddis, 34, 726 Poodle Doo Road, Jamie Allen Statham, 29, of 1630 Calvary Ridge Road, and Randall Wayne Lawless, 39, of 130 Paw Paw Road, receiving stolen property more than $500 for allegedly having a utility trailer belong to Mike True on Feb. 28. Gaddis and Lawless were also charged with bing persistent felony offenders.

Protecting personal information against the risk of online identity theft is becoming a bigger issue than ever, especially with the growing popularity of social media sites. Consumers have to look over their shoulders more when it comes to protecting their personal information. In 2011, there were almost 2,000 identity theft complaints made in Kentucky, and more than 8 million Americans were victims of identity theft in 2010, according to LifeLock, a company that specializes in identity theft protection.