Engineer Street Bridge vandal gets probated jail sentence; must pay for damage

A local woman who was captured on surveillance video throwing five flower boxes off the Engineer Street Bridge in mid-September pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of criminal mischief recently, and has been ordered to reimburse the city of Corbin for he damage she caused.

Brenda T. Webb, 34, of Corbin, entered a guilty plea in Whitley District Court in Corbin earlier this month. District Judge Cathy Prewitt sentenced her to a 12-month probated sentence and ordered her to pay the city $850 to replace the flowers and flower boxes she destroyed.

With two of her children by her side, Webb went to the bridge in broad daylight on Sept. 15 and dumped the flower boxes into Lynn Camp Creek. Police say her 12-year-old son, who was with her during the incident, told them his mother caused the damage because she was angry about her oldest son being in jail. He added that she also had tried to choke the family’s pit bull dog the previous night.

Police became interested in Webb shortly after city officials released surveillance camera footage of the incident to area media outlets. The city also offered a $500 reward to anyone that provided information that would lead to her arrest and conviction.

Authorities got numerous credible tips shortly after the footage was released.

Corbin Police Sgt. Bill Rose swore out a warrant for Webb’s arrest on Sept. 22, but she apparently checked into the Baptist Regional Medical Center Trillium Center for evaluation and treatment. She was taken into custody Oct. 5 when she was released and admitted the crime to police.

Corbin Mayor Willard McBurney said all the flower boxes that were thrown into the creek were retrieved, but were broken or damaged beyond repair. It is the third time vandals have targeted the flower boxes at the bridge, but the first time anyone has been arrested or convicted.

McBurney said he was disappointed with Webb’s sentence, calling it too lenient, but hopes it serves notice to others who think about vandalizing the bridge.

"I really was hoping for some kind of community service or something like that. I think the only thing to really come out of this is that people now know that we are watching some of these places in Corbin," McBurney said. "They know if they do something criminal or destroy city property, we are going to catch them now. I think the word has gotten out that we are serious about this."

McBurney said he is checking into whether part of the restitution Webb has to make will include the $500 reward the city offered for her capture.

According to court documents, Webb has a total monthly income of $609, all of it from Social Security/Disability payments. She also claims to be caring for three dependants, ages 12, 16 and 19.

A review of Webb’s case is scheduled to take place in Whitley District Court Nov. 16 at 1:00 p.m