Electronic lock records indicate a Holiday Inn Express housekeeper accused of stealing 72 oxycodone pills from a guest’s room entered the room three times the day of the theft, a Richmond police officer said Wednesday at the woman’s preliminary hearing.
Stephanie Danielle Powell, 24, of Irvine, is charged with second-degree burglary and theft of controlled substances for allegedly taking the pills May 10 from the room of a guest at the hotel.
Powell was employed as a housekeeper for the hotel, and Officer Chris Bucher testified in Madison District Court on Wednesday that records from the hotel’s electronic card-key system show her third-floor access key was used three times to enter the victim’s hotel room.
Bucher also testified that the victim had spoken to Powell earlier that day and signed a form indicating she did not want the room cleaned.
Surveillance video from the hallway does not show the door of the room where the theft occurred, Bucher told Powell’s attorney, public defender Sarah Bryant.
During an interview with Powell at the police department, Bucher said, she denied entering the room and also denied giving her access key to anyone else.
Hotel records confirmed that the key used to enter the room was the key Powell had on the day of the theft, Bucher testified.
Special Judge David Hayse found probable cause to send the case to a Madison County grand jury.
Stolen beer
Hayse also found probable cause to send burglary and criminal mischief charges against Michael Kevin Jones to a grand jury after a preliminary hearing into the alleged theft of six cans of beer.
Richmond police Detective Rodney Richardson testified that Jones, 19, of Park Drive, and another man had helped the victim in the case move out of an apartment in the 300 block of E. Irvine Street on May 8.
A neighbor at the apartment complex then told police that around 1:30 a.m., the duo kicked in the door of the empty apartment, causing damage to the door, the door frame and some drywall.
“From what we can determine, the only things that were taken were six cans of Coors Light beer,” Richardson said.
The neighbor was able to identify both men from photo lineups, and commented on how Jones had changed his hairstyle since the photo used in the line-up was taken, Richardson said.
Wanton endangerment
A mother who was arrested for first-degree wanton endangerment after her 2-year-old son was seen wandering around their apartment complex had her case continued while family court proceedings continue.
Jennifer A. Miller, 37, was found intoxicated and unresponsive in her home April 30 when Richmond police officers responded to her N. Third Street apartment complex to investigate a report of a small child wandering around the area.
Madison County Attorney Marc Robbins asked to continue the case to July 8 to allow time for rulings in a related case in Madison Family Court.
Hayse agreed to modify Miller’s bond to a $5,000 unsecured bond with the conditions that she be placed on monitored conditional release and have no contact with her children unless authorized by the court.
Brian Smith may be reached at bsmith@richmondregister.com or at 624-6694.
Local News
Records show housekeeper was in burgled room
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Judge weighs constitutionality of legislative redistricting
Kentucky’s deadline for filing to run for legislative seats was in flux on Monday because a judge did not immediately rule on a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of newly redrawn district boundaries.
Franklin County Circuit Judge Phillip Shepherd said he expects to enter a ruling in the case by mid-week.
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Couple recovering from injuries suffered in weekend house fire
A couple was hospitalized after their home was set ablaze Sunday by a spark from a cigar, according to a county fire official.
County Fire Chief Jim Cox said the city and county fire departments were called to the home at 111 Concord Road in the early afternoon. Waco Volunteer Fire Department and the Richmond Fire Department also responded.
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EKU closes dining room at Arlington Clubhouse
A Richmond country club is no longer offering dining to members, but remains available for catered events and will be open on certain holidays.
Arlington Country Club, which has been a staple of Eastern Kentucky University for the past 40 years, laid off all dining staff late last week, according to Tom Coffey of the EKU Foundation.
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Standoff at Super 8 Motel ends peacefully
A bizarre drug-fueled standoff at the Richmond Super 8 Motel ended peacefully with no one hurt, including a child who was in the room with a man that police found wielding two knives.
About 1:53 a.m. Friday, police received a call about a man who was threatening someone with a knife at the motel on North Keeneland Drive, according to Richmond Police Chief Larry Brock.
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Trial for couple accused of human trafficking delayed
The trial for a Berea couple accused of human trafficking involving their daughters has been delayed.
Despite Monday morning television reports that the trial was beginning Monday, it was postponed because the attorneys are not ready to try the case.
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Richmond man charged with child porn possession
(Editor’s note: The following story contains graphic information some readers may find offensive.)
A Richmond man has been arrested for possession of child pornography as a result of a nearly one-year investigation by local police.
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Noted author to deliver keynote address for Black History Month
Almost a year ago, Arnold Rampersad stood in the East Room of the White House as he was presented the National Humanities Medal by President Barack Obama.
On Thursday, Feb. 16, the noted author will stand in O’Donnell Hall of Eastern Kentucky University’s Student Success Building to deliver the keynote address for the university’s Black History Month observance. Rampersad’s visit is also part of Eastern’s year-long Chautauqua lecture series, and the title of his talk, “Black History: The Challenge of Living with Others,” coincides with this year’s Chautauqua theme, “Living with Others: Challenges and Promises.” -
Habitat for Humanity
Habitat for Humanity of Madison and Clark Counties, which has built 160 homes for people in need since 1992, is seeking applicants for partner families, according to Judy Flavell, executive director of the organization.
“We really need applicants right now,” Flavell said. “More people can qualify for Habitat homes than people realize.”
Eligible applicants must have lived in Madison or Clark counties for at least one year, have a stable income, be able to pay a modest monthly mortgage and be able to demonstrate that their current housing is overcrowded, physically substandard, too expensive, unsafe, or they are living in subsidized housing, according to Habitat.
For more information about eligibility, or to apply, call Habitat for Humanity at 625-9208 or visit its office at 1417 East Main Street in Richmond. Visit online at habitatmadisonclark.org. -
Occupational therapy dept. at EKU offers program for adults with memory loss
For local adults who are experiencing memory loss related to dementia or Alzheimer’s, the Department of Occupational Therapy at Eastern Kentucky University has provided “The Place to Be” for the past two decades.
The department will again sponsor the free eight-week program on Thursdays and Fridays, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., beginning Feb. 9. Participants can attend Thursday and/or Friday. Applications still are being accepted (call 893-0653) for the free service, which is offered in Room 100 of the Dizney Building on EKU’s campus. -
Bible Belt towns in state consider going ‘wet’
In this Appalachian college town where socially conservative views are bedrocks of life, some people want to do what was once unthinkable: legalize liquor sales.
Supporters say passing the measure in Tuesday’s special election in Barbourville would tap a new revenue source in a place where hundreds of jobs are evaporating as one plant shuts down and another cuts its workforce in half. But from the pulpits to the courthouse square, opponents have been pressing their case that uncorking liquor sales would irreparably harm the town of about 3,200. - More Local News Headlines
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