The Mountain Advocate 3-17-2011

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mountainadvocate.com

Vol. 106 - No. 30 • 75¢ | 2 Sections, 16 pages Phone (606) 546-9225 • Barbourville, Kentucky

Thursday, March 17, 2011 Knox County’s Newspaper for Over 100 Years

Puppet masters...

Man charged with sodomizing pre-teen By EDDIE ARNOLD earnold@mountainadvocate.com

A Barbourville man charged with sodomizing a pre-teen victim will now face the Knox Grand Jury. According to a warrant sworn out Tuesday by Knox Deputy Chad Wagner, John D. Cordell, 46, of Barbourville allegedly committed the offense of first-degree sodomy by engaging in "deviate sexual intercourse" by forcible compulsion. The warrant alleges that Cordell forced a 12-yearold victim to perform oral sex

with him. During a Tuesday preliminary hearing in Knox District Court, Cordell's attorney, public defender Jennifer Milliken, waived his case to the March 25 grand jury. Cordell remains lodged in the Knox Detention Center in lieu of $100,000 cash bond. First-degree sodomy of a victim under 12 years of age is a Class A felony punishable by 20 to 50 years in prison. Attempts to reach the case officer were not successful as of press time.

Sex crimes on rise By EDDIE ARNOLD earnold@mountainadvocate.com

With sex-related crimes on the increase, victims sometimes may feel they have nowhere to turn for help. Through a program SEE SODOMY, PAGE 5A

Car overturns, one injured

Wood & Strings Theatre, a group from Centerville, Tenn. that performed for sold-out crowds in Washington, D.C., came to Barbourville City School on Thursday, March 10. Pictured here, Lord Kumagai, a Bunraku puppet, is praying in the shrine of Benten. For more photos and information, see the spread on page 7A in this issue of The Mountain Advocate. PHOTO BY HEATHER GRIMES

More photos available at

Thefts cause ‘grate’ concern for city By EDDIE ARNOLD earnold@mountainadvocate.com

City officials are facing a problem that is causing them "grate concern." Over the past month, suspects have stolen more than $2,000 worth of storm drain grates from across the city. Officials say their greatest concern is the safety hazard missing storm drains might cause. The problem came to light during Thursday's meeting of the Barbourville City Council. "For the last couple of weeks we've noticed that some of the street drains from across town were missing," said street superintendent Jim Baker. "We haven't had any reports of people being hurt, but several have gone missing." Baker said they believe the drain thieves are using the heavy metal grates to put in with scrap metal when they sell it. "They are using it for weight advantage." The drain grates, which vary in size from 18 inches to more than two feet long and wide, cost the city $200 each or more. "Police Chief James Gray has asked officers to be on the alert for that. Maybe they can help us with that," he said. "If anyone has information about the thefts, we sure would appreciate if they call." Mayor David Thompson said the city has lost a total of 11 of the drain grates - nine before the council meeting and two over the past weekend. "They got one round grate and several square shaped SEE GRATES, PAGE 5A

Firefighters from Bailey Switch used the Jaws of Life to free the driver of this vehicle from her car after a Monday morning crash on U.S. 25E near Parrott Branch Road. According to police, she was traveling southbound when she lost control of her car and went into the ditch. The car came to rest on its top, trapping the woman inside. The identity of the woman was not available as of press time. Kentucky State Police investigated the crash. PHOTO BY EDDIE ARNOLD

Couple facing felony meth, shoplifting charges By EDDIE ARNOLD earnold@mountainadvocate.com

A Williamsburg man and woman are facing felony charges after being caught with meth and other drugs after allegedly shoplifting from a Knox County department store. Corbin patrolman Kirk Mays charged 43-yearold Joseph L. Siler Jr. and 23-year-old Tara Sasser, both of Williamsburg, with shoplifting, first-degree possession of controlled substance, and possession of drug paraphernalia. Sasser also was charged with second-degree possession of controlled substance. In his post-arrest complaint, Mays said that a KMart Loss Prevention officer observed Sasser concealing $77.22 worth of merchandise in her purse. Mays noted that when he searched the purse, he found red and blue straws with a white

JOSEPH L. SILER

TARA SASSER

powdery residue on them. He also found a makeup bag that Sasser admitted was hers containing three needles, two silver spoons with orange substance believed to be suboxone on them. He also found an unmarked pill bottle containing coffee filters and white residue in it. The residue field tested to be methamphetamine. KMart officials also observed Siler concealing $41 worth of merchandise on his person. After arresting Siler, and during SEE METH, PAGE 5A

Man, bar sued one year after death By HEATHER GRIMES hgrimes@mountainadvocate.com

Barbourville Mayor David Thompson looks over one of two grates that the city had to replace in front of Lay Elementary School. Thieves stole the first grates. Missing grates not only cost the city money, but poses a danger to motorist, bikers, and walkers, Thompson said. So far, 11 grates have been stolen. PHOTOS BY EDDIE ARNOLD

Nearly one year after a fatal accident, a Knox County man faces additional legal trouble. A civil suit against James E. Smith, 43, of Jarvis, was filed in Knox County Circuit Court on March 10. The suit also names O’Mally’s #2. On March 26, 2010, 28-yearold Katrina Napier died following an accident on U.S. 25E northbound after being ejected from the Ford F250 pickup truck that she was riding in. On May 28, 2010, James E. Smith, who was the driver of the truck

at the time of the accident, was indicted by the Knox Grand Jury on murder and DUI charges. The civil JAMES E. SMITH suit against Smith and O’Mally’s claims negligence against both parties, and asks for trial by jury. When asked about the effect of the civil case on the pending trial, Commonwealth Attorney Jackie Steele “There won’t be any effect. Civil cases seldom have any effect on criminal

“With criminal cases, a year or year and a half is a long time.” — Jackie Steele Commonwealth Attorney

cases.” “Historically, criminal cases move quicker than civil cases through the court system,” said Steele. “In civil cases, it isn’t unheard of for SEE LAWSUIT, PAGE 5A


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The Mountain Advocate 3-17-2011 by Charles Myrick - Issuu