Grand jury indicts for pursuits, abuse

Published 9:34 am Friday, February 7, 2020

Charges from a 2019 pursuit that ultimately killed three people was one of a number of high profile indictments issued by the grand jury Thursday.

Tammy Rodriguez, 42 of Louisville, is already facing three counts of murder and other charges in Fayette County for the Sept. 4, 2019, pursuit which began in Clark County.

Thursday, she was indicted in Clark County for first-degree fleeing or evading police, seven counts of first-degree wanton endangerment and second-degree persistent felony offender.

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Clark County Sheriff’s deputies attempted to stop a pickup truck, driven by Rodriguez, on Interstate 64 for reckless driving that night. Deputies said the truck turned through the median and went west. While deputies terminated their involvement, Winchester Police officers maintained the pursuit into Lexington, where Rodriguez turned south in the northbound lanes of Interstate 75 and hit two vehicles.

Both people in one vehicle died, as did Rodriguez’s sister. Rodriguez, a second passenger in the truck and the driver of a second vehicle were all injured.

The grand jury indicted another woman who allegedly stole a vehicle while on a break from work and led police on a pursuit through five counties.

Police said Rose F. Crim, 22, was on a break while working at McDonald’s Jan. 1 when a customer parked her vehicle and left the keys and a purse inside. Crim allegedly got in the vehicle and drove away. Crim would not stop for a deputy sheriff and continued east on Interstate 64 until she reached Morehead. Police said she sideswiped a vehicle at she exited the highway, but returned to the interstate.

She continued to the Rowan-Carter county line, where officers blocked the vehicle.

Crim was indicted for speeding, driving on a suspended operator’s license, first-degree fleeing or evading police, theft by unlawful taking, first-degree wanton endangerment and second-degree persistent felony offender.

A foster mother was indicted for first-degree criminal abuse and first-degree assault for allegedly pouring hot chocolate on a 10-month-old child at McDonald’s.

According to police, 33-year-old Ashley Neal of 126 Southdale Drive, initially said she fell while carrying the child and the drink at the restaurant Nov. 30.

Surveillance video from the restaurant, though, showed Neal pouring the drink on the child and then acting like she fell. Neal told officers she did not remember the incident.

Police said the child received severe burns to its head and face.

The grand jury also indicted a mother and grandfather for criminal abuse after three toddlers were found caked in feces with severe diaper rash.

Timisha Rae Anderson and Timothy Michael Anderson, were both charged with three counts of first-degree criminal abuse and two counts of first-degree assault. Timothy Anderson was also charged with failure to register as a sex offender and first-degree persistent felony offender.

Winchester Police said officers were called to a doctor’s office on Bel Air Drive Dec. 11 after a woman had locked herself in the bathroom. When officers opened the door, they found Timisha Anderson and three children, only one of whom was wearing pants. None had shoes on.

Officers learned the Andersons, the three children and three dogs were living in a Ford Expedition. All three children had severe diaper rash and their diapers had not been changed in some time, though there were clean diapers in the vehicle. The children all had fecal matter “caked” on their bottoms, police said.

The Anderson were arrested and the children were admitted to the hospital.

The grand jury also returned the following indictments:

— Gabriela Holbrook, prohibited use of electronic communication system to procure a minor for sex.

— Shirley D. Moore, driving under the influence (fourth offense), driving on a DUI-suspended operator’s license (second offense), second-degree persistent felony offender.

— Kerry Parker, first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance.

— Gerard M. Kenny, disregarding a stop sign, instructional permit violations, first-degree possession of a controlled substance.

— Arthur Spicer and Shelby Barnett, first-degree criminal abuse, first-degree assault.

— Keith W. Gross, first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance, third-degree possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, tampering with physical evidence, first-degree persistent felony offender.

— Leonard Sparks, first-degree possession of a controlled substance, driving under the influence.

— Gary T. Jones and Jessica F. Reddix, first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance (two counts), possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, first-degree promoting contraband, first-degree persistent felony offender; failure to maintain insurance (Reddix), driving on a DUI-suspended operator’s license (Reddix), no registration receipt (Reddix), one headlight (Reddix).

About Fred Petke

Fred Petke is a reporter for The Winchester Sun, the Jessamine Journal and the State Journal. His beats include cops, courts, fire, public records, city and county government and other news. To contact Fred, email fred.petke@bluegrassnewsmedia.com or call 859-759-0051.

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