A Frankfort man has been indicted on multiple counts in a human trafficking case involving teenage girls. There is a possibility that there are more victims.

There are 22 counts against Jonathan Diaz. Prosecutors have said that the 19-year-old was pimping out 15-year-old girls and “coaching” them by text messages on how to pose for photos in pornographic positions, then he would send the pictures to potential johns.

“There were text messages sent by Mr. Diaz of photos of the juveniles,” said Zach Becker, Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney.

The Franklin County Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney said that the indictment involves two 15-year-old girls, one of whom came to Frankfort to meet a customer. The meeting was actually a police sting.

Authorities said that Diaz would use Facebook and other social media to prey on girls, build their trust and hire them as prostitutes.

“It really highlights the dangers posed to young people these days that, here they are, should be freshman in school 15 years old, maybe learning to drive and instead they’re being pimped out,” said Becker.

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Prosecutors said that Diaz claimed to “employ” up to eight girls. They want those victims to tell a parent or teacher so police can be notified.

A former Jefferson County Public Schools teacher convicted of rape and sodomy will spend 15 years in prison.

Prosecutors say Scott Quisenberry and a student were engaged in a three-year sexual relationship that began in 2009, when the student was just 12 years old. Quisenberry was a teacher at Bullitt Lick Middle School.

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The judge followed the jury recommendation in handing down the 15 year sentence. Quisenberry will be eligible for parole in three years.

Quisenberry also will be required to register as a sex offender under the condition that he successfully completes a sex-offender treatment program.

Justin Levi Burns, 33, was found guilty by a jury of committing Continuous Sexual Abuse of a Child and then sentenced to life in prison.

Burns is not eligible for parole.

The victim in this case involved an autistic child who was 9 years old at the time of trial but who had been sexual abused by Burns between the ages of 4 to 6. The lead investigator on the case was Detective Todd Hoff with the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office.

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Hoff testified that during his investigation he learned that Burns had left Texas and went to Colorado. Colorado authorities were requested to assist, but Burns eluded arrest attempts. Several leads were developed as to Burns’ possible location.

Investigator Joey Ashton with the Montgomery County D.A.’s Office went to Colorado and was able to locate and arrest Burns. Burns tried to give a false name at the time of his arrest but Ashton was able to identify Burns from photographs and tattoos.

Colorado confirmed Burns’ identity by fingerprints and Burns was extradited to Montgomery County to stand trial.

This case was tried by prosecutors Nancy Hebert and Monica Cooper with the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office. Hebert credits Hoff’s investigation and Ashton’s resolve in locating Burns as crucial in seeking justice in this case and applauds the child’s counselors, Veronica Sewell of Montgomery County I.S.D. and Valerie Bryan with Children’s Safe Harbor, with helping the child feel strong enough to face Burns in court.

At trial, the jury heard details of the abuse from the forensic interviewer, Kari Prihoda with Children’s Safe Harbor, who initially interviewed the child. The jury also heard from the child.

Hebert emphasized that “the true hero in this case is the child who was brave enough to tell and courageous enough to testify.”

The jury also heard testimony from DNA analysts with the DPS Crime Lab in Houston, Adam Vinson and Jenna Dunton, confirming the presence of semen recovered from the child’s anus collected during a forensic medical exam by the forensic medical nursing team, and Rachel Bryant and Jamie Ferrell with the Memorial Hermann Hospital’s forensic nursing program.

“The jurors let it be known that our community will not tolerate those who sexually abuse our children. The jury also reinforced that we will believe our children when the selfish desire of a perpetrator steals the innocence of a child,” Nancy Hebert, Special Victims Division chief, said after the trial.

District Attorney Brett Ligon added, “I applaud the bravery and courage of this 9-year-old child. I also commend the efforts of law enforcement, counselors, medical nursing team, and Children Safe Harbor professionals for pulling together to bring justice for this victim.”

The Commonwealth is mourning a murdered Kentucky State Trooper, who was gunned down in the line of duty late Sunday night.

Trooper Joseph Cameron Ponder was shot on I-24 in Lyon county, after a traffic stop and high-speed chase. On Monday there was an escort as Trooper Ponder’s body was taken from the hospital to the funeral home.

Trooper Ponder had only been with Kentucky State Police for nine months. He was a Navy vet, a graduate of North Hardin High School and he will most definitely be missed.

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“Just a fantastic young man. Humble, quiet, unassuming,” said Coach James Webb. As Trooper Ponder’s former football and track and field coach at North Hardin High School, Webb still remembers Ponder more than a decade after his graduation. A former star athlete, turned hero.

“Cameron graduated and went to the Navy. He was a diver,” said Webb.

That’s where he excelled, achieving awards, before graduating from the Kentucky State Police academy in January.

Kentucky State Police said late Sunday night Trooper Ponder pulled over Joseph Johnson-Shanks, 25, of Missouri. Police said he was driving more than 100 miles an hour on I-24 in Lyon County.

Two young children and two women were in the car, when Shanks, who also had a suspended license, took off. Investigators said Trooper Ponder gave chase, and some 8 miles later, Shanks slammed on his brakes causing the two to crash.

“Mr. Johnson-Shanks leaned out the driver side window and fired several rounds into the trooper car, hitting the hood, and the windshield, and Trooper Ponder,” said Trooper Jay Thomas, with Kentucky State Police.

Police said Shanks ran from the scene. He was tracked down in some woods about a mile from the interstate on Monday morning.

“Mr. Shanks had a weapon, drew the weapon at the trooper, refused verbal commands to put down the weapon, and he was shot,” said Trooper Thomas.

His crime, and two lives, were over.

“It’s a tragic day for two families. The State Police family, and Mr. Johnson Shanks family as well,” said Thomas.

Kentucky State Police said Shanks’ 18-year-old niece, Abrea Shanks, was one of the women in the car. She’s charged with hindering prosecution, and is being held in the Caldwell County Jail. Investigators said the other woman in the car cooperated with police, and is not facing charges.

In separate press releases on Monday, Kentucky Congressman Ed Whitfield, Governor Steve Beshear and Senator Mitch McConnell released statements on the shooting death of Kentucky State Trooper Joseph Cameron Ponder.

“My thoughts and prayers are with the loved ones of Kentucky State Police Trooper, Joseph Cameron Ponder.  Trooper Ponder was callously murdered while carrying out his duties to serve and protect the citizens of Kentucky.  Our Nation must stand united with the men and women of law enforcement who risk their lives every day to ensure that we are able to live in a safe and peaceful society,” said Whitfield.

“Jane and I are deeply saddened by the death of Trooper Ponder. Senseless acts like this are a tragic reminder of the risks that our law enforcement officers face every day, just by putting on their uniform and doing their job. That he was killed in the line of duty makes his death memorable, but we must never forget the most significant part of Trooper Joseph Cameron Ponder’s story – how he lived, his selfless service to others, and his willingness to give his life for that commitment,” – said Beshear.

“Elaine and I were heartbroken to hear of the tragic loss of Kentucky State Police Trooper Joseph Ponder.  This is a sad day for the Commonwealth and for our law enforcement community.  Please join me in praying for Trooper Ponder’s family, his friends and his fellow officers, said McConnell.

Ponder,31, was killed Sunday during a high speed chase. He is the second trooper from the Mayfield post killed in the line of duty this year.

A woman indicted in a deadly 2013 crash in Scott County has pleaded guilty to reckless homicide.

Police say Carolyn Breunig was driving under the influence when she crashed into a tree. Her passenger, Seth Gibson, died in the crash. Investigators say she initially told deputies another man was driving, and that he got out of the car and ran away.

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A grand jury indicted Breunig on a manslaughter charge.

Sentencing is scheduled for Nov. 2. Breunig is expected to read a letter of apology to the family at that time.

Saturday, September 12, police charged a woman on Ballard Drive in Richmond, for assaulting her boyfriend with a hatchet.

According to a press release from the Richmond Police Department, officers were dispatched to the home of Della L. Albritton, 53, around 2:55 p.m, Saturday.

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When they arrived on the scene, police said that the Albritton’s live-in boyfriend was bleeding from head wounds. The boyfriend told police that during an argument, Albritton struck him several times with a hatchet.

She is charged with Assault first degree and lodged in the Madison County Detention Center.

Lexington police continue to investigate an attempted murder suicide.

Police and EMS responded to a home along Tulane Drive around 9:30 a.m. after a caregiver found an elderly man and woman suffering from gunshot wounds. One person was transported from the scene by EMS, and the coroner showed up a short time later.

The coroner confirmed Millard Ray West, 74, was killed and his wife suffered a gunshot wound to the face.

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“She was pretty shook up,” said the Fayette County Coroner Gary Ginn. “We made sure someone drove her other than driving herself. I didn’t get to talk with her simply because I wanted her to leave and get home and calm down. Obviously she was pretty distraught.”

Police have not released any additional information, but neighbors say an elderly couple suffering from health problems live in the home. They say the woman was battling cancer and the man recently had a hip replacement. Neighbors say they often saw the man outside crying because he couldn’t care for his wife.