Leitchfield officer indicted for assault following arrests during fire

By Free Republic | Created at 2024-11-27 07:05:33 | Updated at 2024-11-27 09:56:14 2 hours ago

Leitchfield officer indicted for assault following arrests during fire
WBKO ^ | November 18, 2024 | Katy Beth Bowers

Posted on 11/26/2024 11:00:19 PM PST by xxqqzz

LEITCHFIELD, Ky. (WBKO) - The Grayson County Circuit Court Grand Jury returned an indictment on a Leitchfield Police officer for multiple charges in connection to an altercation between officers and two individuals over the summer.

According to court documents, Dennis Newton Jr. faces two counts of Assault (4th Degree), two counts of Terroristic Threatening (3rd Degree), Criminal Trespassing (1st Degree) and two counts of Menacing.

The indictment alleges on June 9, Newton intentionally caused physical injury, threatened, and placed two men in reasonable apprehension of imminent physical injury.

The indictment also alleges Newton knowingly entered and/or remained unlawfully on the property.

The two men, Lannie and Daron Fentress, were arrested at the time following an altercation with officers who were attempting to clear a fire in the basement, which contained a large amount of ammunition and guns.

According to their arrest citations, police responded to reports of a basement fire on Rison Drive.

The two men then attempted to re-enter the home, despite being told to stay away from the building, according to court records. When blocked from entering by officers, both men shoved the officers, who then told the men they were under arrest. Daron Fentress was then tased, and Lannie Fentress allegedly threatened to kill an officer.

Both were treated by EMS and then arrested.

According to court records, Daron Fentress’ pre-trial hearing is scheduled for Jan. 15. 2025.

A Grand Jury returned a “no true bill” for Lannie Fentress’s charges, meaning there was not sufficient evidence to warrant criminal charges.

Meanwhile, Sgt. Newton is scheduled to appear in court for an arraignment on Nov. 20.

In response to WBKO Investigates’ request for comment, Sgt. Ian Renfrow said that Sgt. Newton is on leave without pay, and the department is unable to comment further on any internal action being taken at this time.

This is a developing story that we will continue to update on-air and on WBKO.com.

TOPICS: Crime/Corruption; US: Kentucky
KEYWORDS: fire; police

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Father and son were fighting a fire in the basement of their home with garden hoses, etc. The police had arrived, but not yet the fire department. In Kentucky, particularly in fairly remote areas like this, the attitude is to take care of things yourself.

The police tried to get them to leave their house, ostensibly for their safety. They refused. The police tased them and beat up the father.

A grand jury was called and presented evidence against the homeowner and son. However, the jury, presumably againt the prosecutors wishes, indicted the policeman instead.

1 posted on 11/26/2024 11:00:19 PM PST by xxqqzz

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