The Commonwealth’s Corner is a new feature designed to introduce you to the Jessamine County Commonwealth’s Attorney and to keep you abreast of my efforts to combat criminal activity within our community. As the Commonwealth’s Attorney, my staff and I are responsible for the prosecution of all felony criminal cases in the Jessamine Circuit Court. Felony offenses are serious criminal cases where the defendant could receive a prison sentence from one year to life, or even the death penalty in very rare circumstances. I hope that this periodic column will help all Jessamine County residents gain a more comprehensive understanding of the criminal court system and a deeper appreciation for the efforts of the men and women in local law enforcement. This column is specifically dedicated to these law enforcement officers whose service helps ensure that Jessamine County will remain a safe place for our families to live.

Here are several noteworthy convictions from the Jessamine County Circuit Court in the past few weeks.

• Adam Hager – Hager was convicted of the offenses of first-degree burglary, first-degree robbery, tampering with physical evidence and felon in possession of a handgun. He committed an armed home invasion. While inside the residence, he threatened the use of force to accomplish a theft from the homeowner. He received a sentence of ten years in a state penitentiary. Due to the violent nature of his offenses, he will not be eligible for parole until he serves at least 85 percent of that 10-year sentence.

• Cali Fellers – Fellers was convicted of several counts of criminal possession of a forged instrument, first-degree. She was found to be possessing multiple counterfeit bills purporting to be United States currency. She was also convicted of trafficking in a controlled substance, first-degree. She received a five-year sentence.

• Zachary Mackie – Mackie was convicted of first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance, felon in possession of a firearm, and possession of a defaced firearm. He was found to be possessing a quantity of heroin with the intent to sell or transfer that drug to another person. He was sentenced to seven years in a state penitentiary.

• Austin Clark – Clark was convicted of multiple counts of burglary, third-degree, and related theft offenses. He burglarized several local area businesses. He received a five-year sentence.

• Vondel Richards – Richards was convicted of two separate counts of first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance. On both occasions, he sold a quantity of crack cocaine to an undercover police operative. He was sentenced to five years in a state penitentiary.

• Christian Vonroenn – Vonroenn was convicted of first-degree burglary and felon in possession of a handgun. He committed an armed home invasion into a local residence with the intent to commit a crime therein. He was sentenced to 10 years in a state penitentiary.