Fla. man indicted for stealing $46,000 worth of electronics from Wal-Mart

A Whitley County Grand Jury indicted a Florida man Monday morning, who is accused of stealing about $46,000 worth of iPhones, iPads and iPods from the Williamsburg Walmart in July, but the local charges may be the least of the man’s worries.

The grand jury charged Yohansan Jovan Stewart, 32, with theft by unlawful taking over $10,000 for allegedly taking over $10,000 worth of electronic equipment from the Williamsburg Wal-Mart on July 20.

Williamsburg Police Chief Wayne Bird said that Stewart is also a suspect in 20 to 25 similar thefts in Ohio and Tennessee.
Commonwealth’s Attorney Allen Trimble said federal prosecutors have expressed some interest in prosecuting the case but it is unclear whether they will pursue it.

Bird said about 3 a.m. on July 20, Stewart went to the electronics section of Walmart and smashed the glass of one of the display cases. After removing a number of tablets and other devices, Stewart was able to walk out of the store without incident.

"We couldn’t see on video what he used," Bird said. "We think it may have been a window punch."

Through a review of Walmart video surveillance, Bird said police were able to get the license plate number of the van in which Stewart got into after leaving the store.

The registration came back to a rental car company and when the company was contacted, officials identified Stewart as the individual who rented the vehicle and gave police a copy of his driver’s license.

Bird said Broward County Florida Sheriff’s deputies served the warrant after they conducted a traffic stop on Stewart. Stewart waived extradition back to Kentucky.

"The other cases involved $15,000 to $20,000 worth of merchandise," Bird said.

While there are no similar complaints in Kentucky, Bird said it wasn’t from a lack of effort on Stewart’s part.

"The same night the Williamsburg Walmart was hit. We believe he unsuccessfully tried to do the same thing at London or Corbin Walmart," Bird said.

Bird said the identity of the individual driving the van remains a mystery.

"The other person did not get out of the van or go into Walmart so we have no video of that person," Bird said, adding that Stewart has not made any statements to police about the incident or the identity of the driver.

Stewart may also face similar charges in Georgia, Illinois and Indiana.

Stewart’s attorney, Jim Wren, said that his client looks forward to his day in court.

"Mr. Stewart is not guilty. We intend to be exonerated when this goes to trial," Wren noted.

According to its monthly report, the grand jury handed down several other indictments Monday against various individuals, including:

• Bill Carrier, 34, of Williamsburg – theft by unlawful taking over $500 but less than $10,000, first-degree criminal mischief and third-degree burglary. On Sept. 22, he allegedly unlawfully entered a trailer owned by Edgar Bryant taking copper wiring, which damaged the trailer.

• George Dean, 33, of Williamsburg – possession of a handgun by a convicted felon and for being a second-degree persistent felony offender. On Aug. 11, Dean allegedly possessed a .22 caliber handgun after having previously been convicted for second-degree trafficking in a controlled substance.

• Jessie L. Storms, 19, of Corbin, and Dalton Sulfridge, 19, of Williamsburg – second-degree burglary and theft by unlawful taking over $500 but less than $10,000. On July 6, they allegedly unlawfully entered the residence of Stacey and Garret Woods with the intent to commit a crime and took various electronic items and a four-wheeler.

• James L. Havens, 30, and Kristi Havens Lee, 38, both of Corbin – first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance, two counts of third-degree trafficking in a controlled substance, and first-degree wanton endangerment. James Havens was also indicted for operating a motor vehicle while under the influence.

On May 17, the duo allegedly  possessed for sale 15 Oxycodone, 34 Clonazepam, and four Alprazolam. Also on May 17, the couple allegedly manifested extreme indifference to human life when they wantonly engaged in conduct, which created a substantial danger of death or serious physical injury to their child or children, by allowing the child or children to ride in a vehicle driven by an intoxicated driver, which was James Havens.

• Crystal Thomas and Mitzie Graves – first-degree criminal mischief and theft by unlawful taking over $500 but less than $10,000. On July 1, the duo allegedly intentionally caused over $1,000 worth of damage to Charity Wynn’s residence and took various items belonging to her.

• Jordan Faulkner, 24, of Williamsburg, and Lucas Wilson, 23, of Talbott, Tennessee – receiving stolen property over $10,000. On Sept. 16, they allegedly had dozier parts in their possession, which were stolen from Robert Clear.

• Brandon T. Senters, 31, of London – first-degree fleeing or evading police, first-degree wanton endangerment, operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol, receiving stolen property and theft by unlawful taking under $500. On July 15, Senters allegedly disobeyed a direction to stop his vehicle, which was given by Corbin police officers and swerved his vehicle towards Officer Jeff Hill. In addition, he had railroad spikes, which has been stolen from CSX and a quantity of beer, which had been taken from Circle K.

• Scott Jones, 35, of Williamsburg – first-degree possession of a controlled substance and operating a motor vehicle while under the influence. On July 3, Jones allegedly possessed one Hydromorphone.

• Clay A. Powell, 50, of Rockholds – operating a motor vehicle while under the influence and two counts of first-degree wanton endangerment. On Sept. 18, Powell allegedly tried to use his vehicle to hit another vehicle or vehicles, which were occupied by either Steve Watson, Linda Watson or Steve Brock.

• Justin J. Jaynes, 22 – receiving stolen property over $500 but less than $10,000, two counts of first-degree fleeing or evading police and for being a second-degree persistent felony offender. On July 29, Jaynes possessed a 2000 Pontiac Firebird, which had been stolen from Teresa Cornelius, disobeyed a direction to stop his motor vehicle, which was given by Williamsburg Police Chief Wayne Bird, and then ran away from officers on foot. He has a prior felony conviction for receiving stolen property under $10,000.

• Clarence L. Lemaster, 50, of Hager Hill – theft by deception over $500 but less than $10,000. On March 22, Lemaster allegedly received $6,450 from the City of Corbin to replace a neon sign and then did not do the work and refused to give the money back to the City of Corbin.

• Whitney Leach, 25, of Barbourville – second-degree trafficking in a controlled substance. On March 25, Leach allegedly sold two Suboxone sublingual tablets to a confidential informant for $50.

• Andrew James, 26, of Williamsburg – cultivating marijuana five plants or more and possession of drug paraphernalia. On May 31, James allegedly knowingly cultivated nine marijuana plants and possessed syringes and straws.

• James Thomas Jr., 34, of Jellico – first-degree fleeing or evading police and for being a first-degree persistent felony offender. On June 8, Thomas allegedly fled from Sheriff’s Sgt. Kirk Mays on a four-wheeler. He has prior felony convictions for theft by unlawful taking and first-degree criminal mischief.

• Jerry Wilson, 24, of Williamsburg – first-degree promoting contraband. On May 24, he allegedly possessed 10 Suboxone while being confined in the Whitley County Detention Center.

• Jody Currier, 37, of Jellico – first-degree assault. On Aug. 17, Currier allegedly struck Greg Ball with a saw causing serious physical injury.

• Brian J. Juntunen, 32, of Rockholds – first-degree criminal abuse. On July 31, Juntunen allegedly abused a child under the age of 12 by administering cruel punishment by beating him causing serious physical injury.

• Michael J. Skidmore, 39, of Corbin – first-degree assault. On May 14, Skidmore allegedly shot David McNeil with a .380 caliber handgun causing serious physical injury.