A suspect that allegedly stole a city truck and led several police officers on a high-speed pursuit, both in the vehicle and on foot, was sentenced to six years in jail last Monday, August 20 by Clinton Circuit Judge Eddie C. Lovelace.

During a regular term of circuit court, Nicholas Loiacono, 40, was formally sentenced after making a plea agreement with the Commonwealth on July 16.

Loiacono, who was originally charged with 11 total counts by a Clinton County Grand Jury following the March 4, 2012 incident, pled guilty to two counts of first degree wanton endangerment, with a three-year sentence on each count imposed. Those two year sentences will run concurrent. The defendant also pled guilty to theft by unlawful taking over $500 with a three-year sentence imposed, to run consecutive with the three years on the wanton endangerment for a total of six years.

The defendant will receive credit for time served as determined by the Kentucky Department of Corrections and pursuant to the agreement, charges of criminal mischief-first degree, fleeing or evading police-first degree (two counts), reckless driving, operating a motor vehicle on an expired license, giving a police officer a false name and two counts of first degree wanton endangerment were dismissed.

At the time of his arrest in March, Loiacono had apparently given police a false name and gave his address as Crossville, Tennessee.

He had originally been charged with theft by unlawful taking (auto); first degree criminal mischief; four counts of wanton endangerment of a police officer; two counts of fleeing and evading; and one count each of reckless driving, no operator’s license and giving the false name and address to police.

The incident occurred on Sunday, March 4 when a city owned utility truck was stolen by the suspect.

The suspect was spotted around 2 p.m. that afternoon by Kentucky Fish and Wildlife Officer Wayne Glover and a high-speed chase involving city and county law enforcement began and extended to the Grider Hill Dock area of Clinton County. The nearly one-hour pursuit ended in a foot chase near the Teal Neathery Road, when he was caught by Officer Ricky Marcum and handcuffed by then Deputy Jim Guffey and Glover.

The stolen truck also received considerable damage during the ensuring pursuit.

The case was prosecuted by Commonwealth Attorney Jesse Stockton and Loiacono was represented by attorney Angie Capps.

Other Circuit Court News

Several other cases were on the heavy docket last Monday, including a Cumberland County murder case that was heard in Clinton Circuit Court, where a plea agreement was reached with one defendant and charges dismissed against another.

In the case of Commonwealth vs. Mark Riley, who was originally charged with murder, a plea agreement was reached during a pre-trial conference.

The Commonwealth recommended dismissing a charge of criminal abuse-second degree and amending the charge of murder to reckless homicide. On the guilty plea to the lesser charge, the defendant would receive five years with 120 days to serve and the balance probated for with supervision and to run concurrent with the federal probation the defendant is currently serving.

Final sentencing has been set for September 27.

Also during a pretrial conference in a Cumberland County case heard locally, charges of murder and second degree-criminal abuse against Teresa Riley were dismissed with prejudice.

Both Mark Riley and Teresa Riley were represented by Burkesville attorney David Williams.

The following are cases that came before the court last week in which some type of resolution was made and/or trial dates set:

* During a pretrial conference in the case of Commonwealth vs. Lynn Moles, a plea agreement was reached.

Upon a plea of guilty to manufacturing methamphetamine, the defendant would receive a 10-year sentence and charges of possession of a controlled substance (meth) and possession of meth precursor would be dismissed.

Final sentencing was scheduled for September 17.

* During a hearing, a plea agreement was reached in the case of Commonwealth vs. Flinton Ray Thacker.

Upon a plea of guilty to promoting contraband-first degree, the defendant would receive a one-year sentence and a charge of theft by unlawful taking over $500 would be dismissed.

Final sentencing was scheduled for September 17.

Several other cases were heard in circuit court last Monday, with many motions for reciprocal discovery being sustained by the court and some defendants appeared for arraignment, entering not guilty pleas and having further court dates scheduled. Other cases were continued for various reasons.