Prosecutors have recommended a two-year prison sentence for a Williamsburg man, who is accused of burglary and fleeing or evading police.
Rodney Vanover, 28, was indicted by information earlier this month on charges of third-degree burglary and second-degree fleeing or evading police (on foot).
On Nov. 26, he allegedly knowingly and unlawfully entered the fenced area of Tractor Supply in Williamsburg to attempt to commit a crime. He then allegedly disobeyed commands by Williamsburg Police Sgt. Elijah Hunter to stop running from Penny Lane to McDonalds crossing both lanes of I-75 and creating substantial risk of serious physical injury or death in an attempt to elude law enforcement officials, according to his indictment by information.
Felony cases get to circuit court in one of two ways. The most common way is that evidence is presented to a grand jury, which issues an indictment against an individual.
The second way is indictment by information. An indictment by information is an expedited way to resolve criminal cases more quickly and it involves the defendant and the prosecutor reaching an agreement on the criminal charge(s) against a defendant.
It also usually, but not always, involves a plea agreement with prosecutors regarding the charges and a recommended sentence in the case.
According to court documents, the following other cases were resolved via indictment by information in Whitley Circuit Court during the month of December.
- Sammy Gay, 52, of Williamsburg – first-degree possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine). Prosecutors recommended a one-year prison sentence.
- Brandi Davis, 46, of Corbin – first-degree possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine). Prosecutors recommended a three-year prison sentence but agreed to probate all but six months of that sentence. Davis can receive day-for-day credit in long-term rehab in lieu of serving the six months behind bars.
- Matthew Jody, 36, of Williamsburg – first-degree possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine). Prosecutors recommended a three-year prison sentence to be probated for three years. A probated sentence means that if a defendant stays out of trouble during their probation period, then they won’t have to serve any additional jail or prison time.
- Ronnie Dustin Smith, 34, of Corbin – first-degree possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine). Prosecutors recommended a two-year pretrial diversion, but Smith is required to complete six months in long-term rehab before sentencing.
- Toni Leach, 34, of Williamsburg – first-degree possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine). Prosecutors recommended a two-year pretrial diversion. Leach must first serve six months in jail or can instead receive day-for-day credit in long-term rehab. Pretrial diversions often, but not always, allow for charges to be wiped from a defendant’s record at the conclusion of their diversion period.
- Melissa Scott, 36, of East Bernstadt – first-degree possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine). Prosecutors recommended a two-year pretrial diversion.
- Todd Lewis, 42, of Williamsburg – first-degree possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine). Prosecutors recommended a two-year pretrial diversion.
- Matthew McClary, 41, of Newcomb, Tennessee – first-degree possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine). Prosecutors recommended a two-year pretrial diversion.
