Register News Writer
RICHMOND — A cross-dressing robber who allegedly struck businesses and a bank in Richmond, Berea and Danville was indicted Wednesday by a Madison County grand jury. Troy Noel Lear, 40, of Brodhead, was indicted on two counts of first-degree robbery for the Nov. 6 robbery of the Comfort Suites hotel in Richmond and the Jan. 7 robbery of a Cumberland Valley National Bank branch in Berea. Lear also is accused of committing a December robbery at a Danville check-cashing store. In all three of the robberies, the suspect was dressed as a woman, although witnesses to each hold-up identified the suspect as a man. The Berea robbery was made at gunpoint, while a hotel clerk at the Richmond robbery said the suspect was armed with an electrical “stun gun” device. Berea police arrested Lear the day after the Berea robbery when a patrol officer spotted him driving a vehicle with a license plate that matched a car witnesses said fled the robbery scene at a high rate of speed. During an interview with Lear, Berea investigators say he confessed to all three robberies, according to Chief David Gregory. The Richmond, Berea and Danville police departments collaborated on the investigations along with Kentucky State Police and the Rockcastle County Sheriff because of the similarities between all three robberies. Lear is lodged in the Madison County Detention Center. If convicted, he faces 10 to 20 years in prison on each count of first-degree robbery. Other indictments • A grand jury returned nine felony counts and several misdemeanors against a woman accused of driving under the influence, fleeing police and endangering others. Elisa G. Satterfield, no age or address listed, was indicted on eight counts of first-degree wanton endangerment, first-degree fleeing or evading police, aggravated driving under the influence charges and misdemeanor charges of driving on a suspended license and failure to maintain insurance. The wanton endangerment charges stem from Satterfield allegedly “creating a substantial danger of death or serious physical injury” to two police officers and several drivers along US 25. Satterfield refused a blood alcohol test and was speeding in excess of 30 mph above the speed limit, according to the indictment. She also was indicted on a first-degree persistent felony offender charge that escalates all nine Class D felony charges, meaning she could receive a prison sentence of five to 10 years on each charge. (KSP) • Andrew Jackson Jones, no age or address listed, was indicted on a single count of first-degree possession of a controlled substance, cocaine. If convicted, Jones could receive up to five years in prison. (RPD) • Jason Arthur Rhorer, no age or address listed, was indicted on a single count of first-degree possession of a controlled substance, morphine, and was cited for failure to maintain insurance. If convicted, he could receive up to five years in prison on the possession charge and could be fined or jailed for the insurance charge. (KSP) • Christopher L. Long, no age or address listed, was indicted on a single count of first-degree possession of a controlled substance, methadone, and a misdemeanor public intoxication charge. If convicted, Long could receive up to five years in prison for the possession charge and up to six months in jail on the public intoxication charge. (RPD) An indictment is a formal statement of charges and does not imply guilt. Brian Smith may be reached at bsmith@richmondregister.com or at 624-6694. For breaking news, follow Brian at www.twitter.com/ RR_BSmith.
