The Commonwealth’s Corner is designed to keep readers abreast on the efforts of Commonwealth Attorney Andy Sims to combat criminal activity within the community. Sim’s and his staff are responsible for the prosecution of all felony criminal cases in the Jessamine Circuit Court. Below are noteworthy cases submitted by Sims from Friday, March 10 through Friday, April 14.

• James Taylor: Taylor was convicted of two counts of first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance. On two occasions, he sold a quantity of heroin to an undercover agent working with the Nicholasville Police Department. He received a sentence of ten years in a state penitentiary.

• Sean Blankenship: Blankenship was convicted of leaving the scene of an accident, tampering with physical evidence and felon in possession of a handgun. After causing a vehicular collision, Blankenship drove away from the scene. When officers responded to the scene and located his vehicle, Blankenship threw a handgun from the car in an effort to conceal it from law enforcement. He received a six-year sentence.

• Rodney Rutherford: Rutherford was convicted of trafficking in marijuana. He was found to be in possession of fewer than eight ounces of marijuana with the intent to sell or transfer that drug to another person. He received a sentence of three years. In addition to that sentence, he was ordered to forfeit the motor vehicle he used to commit that offense to the Wilmore Police Department.

• Brandon Collins: Collins was convicted of the second-degree escape.  He ran away from the custody of an officer with the Nicholasville Police Department while the officer was preparing him to be booked into the Jessamine County Detention Center. The officer gave chase and was able to apprehend him a short distance from the jail. He received a sentence of two years for his efforts to escape.

• Randy Labonte: Labonte was convicted of first-degree sexual abuse. He subjected a child less than 16 years of age to sexual contact. He received a sentence of three years. He will also be on the Sex Offender Registry for at least the next twenty years.

• Angela Manning: Manning was convicted of third-degree burglary.  She unlawfully entered a local residence with the intent to commit a crime therein. She received a sentence of five years.

• Glen Robinson: Robinson was convicted of five counts of second-degree criminal possession of a forged instrument and the offense of theft of identity. He was found to be in possession of several forged credit cards. He received a ten-year sentence. Due to the superb investigation conducted by our local law enforcement, Robinson was apprehended and handed over to the United States Marshall Service. As a result of our case, Robinson is awaiting prosecution by the United States Attorney’s Office.

• Bobby Ray Robinson: Robinson was convicted of third-degree burglary.  He was found to have unlawfully entered the garage of a local residence with the intent to commit a theft from that building.  Robinson was quickly apprehended by officers with the Nicholasville Police Department.  He was sentenced to five years.

• Angela Jones: Jones was convicted of theft by unlawful taking and theft of identity.  She was detained by officers with the Loss Prevention Department of Kohl’s after she was observed concealing merchandise.  Upon confrontation with law enforcement, she provided a false name and stolen identifying information.  Further investigation by deputies with the Jessamine County Detention Center revealed her true identity.  She was sentenced to six years for her efforts.