Jamie Lebanion
A Whitley County man, and former star quarterback for a local high school football program, has been arrested in connection with burglaries and thefts targeting his coach and athletic trainer.
Jamie Lebanion, 19, was arrested last Friday and charged with second-degree burglary, third-degree burglary and misdemeanor theft following an investigation by the Whitley County Sheriff’s Department.
Police captured Lebanion at a friend’s home in Shiner Subdivision. He is currently lodged in the Whitley County Detention Center on a $10,000 cash bond.
According to Whitley County Sheriff’s Deputy David Lennon, who also serves as a resource officer for the Whitley County School System, Lebanion took $140 from Whitley County High School Athletic Trainer Kelly Bryant on school property on April 21. He allegedly stole the money from her purse out of an office.
On March 29, police believe he took around $1,500 worth of jewelry from the home of Whitley County High School football Head Coach Jim Black. Lebanion formerly lived with Black while he played football for the Colonels.
Lebanion graduated last June and accepted an athletic scholarship to play football at Georgetown College, but ultimately moved back to the area.
"I got a tip that he had gone to the pawn shop with some rings," Lennon said. "I told coach Black that he probably should check to see if any of the family’s jewelry was missing, and it was."
Lennon said a single ring from the burglary has been recovered so far, along with some Nintendo Wii video games, compact discs and power tools also taken from Black’s home. The items were pawned at Fast Cash in Williamsburg.
"He told me in a written statement that he did all this to pay off a drug debt," Lennon said. "We think he’s had a drug problem for some time."
Williamsburg Police also have pending charges against Lebanion for fraudulent use of a stolen credit card. Lennon said authorities are working now to connect Lebanion to at least one other burglary.
Lennon said evidence against Lebanion in regards to the burglaries was presented to the Whitley County Grand Jury on Monday.
Lebanion was a four-year starter at quarterback for the Whitley County High School football team. He also played as a linebacker on defense.
He led the Colonels to a 12-2 season in 2008, his sophomore year. The team reached the state semifinals of the Class 5A KHSAA high school football playoffs, but lost to eventual state champion Highlands. The team reached the second-round of the playoffs during his junior and senior years.
