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Joe Kenneth Brammer accepts plea deal on drug charges
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By MISTY MAYNARD Staff Writer
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Maysville native Joe Kenneth Brammer accepted a plea deal Friday in Mason Circuit Court on drug charges stemming from an investigation into the death of 19-year-old Matt Stahl.
Stahl's body was discovered in Brammer's home Dec. 4. According to the State Medical Examiner's reporter, he died as the result of hypertensive cardiovascular disease, stemming from intoxication from consuming alcohol. Also in his body, evidence of methadone and alprazolam were discovered.
As a result of the investigation, 20-year-old Brammer was charged with first-degree possession of a controlled substance for the possession of methadone, a Schedule II controlled substance. He was also charged with third-degree possession of a controlled substance for possessing alprazolam, a Schedule IV controlled substance. Alprazolam is a generic version of Xanax, used to treat anxiety disorders.
Brammer initially pleaded not guilty, but entered a change of plea to accept the deal offered by special prosecutor Tom Bertram. The misdemeanor charge of third-degree possession of a controlled substance was dismissed, and Brammer received two and a half years for the felony charge. However, that sentence will be diverted for two and a half years, Bertram said, as long as Brammer meets the conditions, including submission to random drug and alcohol tests, and his continued enrollment in a college or university. According to Bertram, Brammer currently attends a university in Buffalo, N.Y.
Also as a condition of the sentence, Brammer will remain under the supervision of the Kentucky Department of Probation and Parole, and must participate in at least three public forums with Mark Stahl, Matt Stahl's father. Bertram said these forums could include meeting with students in a classroom to discuss the evils of drug abuse.
"I wanted to make sure that the Stahl family was pleased," Bertram said after Judge John McNeill sentenced Brammer according to the plea agreement.
Formal sentencing is scheduled for March 29.
Bertram, who serves as commonwealth attorney for Lewis and Greenup counties, was brought into the case as a special prosecutor after Commonwealth Attorney Stockton Wood recused himself from the case. According to Bertram, Wood recused himself because he and Brammer's mother, Sue Brammer, are "fellow attorneys."
Bertram would not speculate on whether further charges would be made in connection with Matt Stahl's death.
Also appearing in circuit court Friday:
-- Samuel Ray Prather II, 31, first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance cocaine, jail 10 years; convicted felon in possession of a firearm, jail five years; use/possession of drug paraphernalia, jail one year; operating on a suspended/revoked license, jail 90 days; all concurrent.
-- Samuel Ray Prather, 31, flagrant nonsupport, jail one year.
-- Scotty Clay Workman, 26, motion for shock probation denied.
-- Dwayne N. Johnson, 47, first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance cocaine, jail seven years; tampering with physical evidence, jail five years.
-- Jason D'Juan Overly, 22, first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance cocaine, jail three years; possession of marijuana, jail three months; sentences to run concurrently.
-- Crystal Michelle McRoberts, 29, first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance cocaine amended to criminal facilitation, jail 12 months; use/possession of drug paraphernalia, jail two years; all concurrent.
-- Danny Lee Fritz, 52, trafficking in marijuana less than 8 ounces, trafficking in marijuana 8 ounces to 5 pounds, use/possession of drug paraphernalia, second-degree unlawful transaction with a minor, first-degree persistent felony offender, sentencing March 24.
-- Teresa Ann Florence, 34, trafficking in marijuana less than 8 ounces, trafficking in marijuana 8 ounces to 5 pounds, use/possession of drug paraphernalia, second-degree unlawful transaction with a minor, sentencing March 24.
-- Brenda Kay Bloomfield, 25, second-degree criminal possession of a forged instrument, theft by deception over $300, receiving stolen property under $300, theft by unlawful taking under $300, sentencing April 14.
-- Joseph Patrick Denham, 23, third-degree burglary, jail one year, probated five years.
-- Ashanti Sheary Lofton, 25, first-degree possession of cs/cocaine, possession of marijuana, failure to illuminate head lamps, granted five years, four months home incarceration curfew.
-- Michael Whitt, 41, first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance cocaine, sentencing April 14.
-- James Russell Brown, 56, motion for shock probation denied.
-- Sanford P. Mokler, 44, first-degree attempt unlawful transaction with a minor, third-degree unlawful transaction with a minor, second-degree persistent felony offender; bench warrant issued.
-- Whitney Anne Shupe, 31, first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance cocaine, jury trial May 3.
-- Tramell Teru Henry, 30, first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance cocaine, sentencing April 14.
-- Richard D. Stanford, 25, first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance cocaine, possession of a controlled substance, two years, probated three years.
-- Londa Jill Cutter, 46, first-degree possession of cs/cocaine, one year, probated five years.
-- David Lee Madden, 24, motion for shock probation denied.
-- Crystal Lee Kabler, 25, five counts second-degree criminal possession of a forged instrument, jury trial May 25.
-- Terry Lynn Childers, 40, first-degree possession of cs/cocaine, giving officer false name or address, use/possession of drug paraphernalia, sentencing April 28.
Contact Misty Maynard at misty.maynard@lee.net or call 606-564-9091, ext. 274. |
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