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EXTRA CONTENT: Former Corbin officer, convicted of 2nd DUI, can serve jail term whenever he wants
Posted On 26 May 2010
A former Corbin police officer and City Commission candidate has been ordered to serve 14 days in jail for his second DUI in a year’s time, but an unusual order signed by a local judge will allow him to serve those days whenever he chooses with no apparent time limit in which to serve them.
According to officials at the Whitley County Detention Center, Charlie Bronson Fugate, 36, of Corbin, showed up Tuesday to serve the first day of his court-ordered sentence since being formally sentenced in Laurel District Court March 23.
In an agreed order prepared by Fugate’s attorney, B.J. Foley, and signed by Assistant Laurel County Attorney Tom Weatherly and a Laurel District Judge, Fugate can serve the 14 day sentence in consecutive days or "one day at a time" if he chooses. The order was entered April 21.
"In all my years in law enforcement and working here, I have never seen an order like that," said Bob O’Neill, Chief Deputy Jailer at the Whitley County Detention Center.
O’Neill said he had an inquiry recently about whether Fugate had served any of his days yet.
"I told them it might be Christmas before he shows up. It [the order] is not like anything I’ve ever seen."
Laurel District Judge Skip Hammons was the trial judge in Fugate’s case, but the signature on the order is illegible. It appears to allow Fugate an unlimited amount of time to serve the sentence. In a plea agreement between Fugate and prosecutors, it was recommended Hammons allow the jail term to be served on "employment off days."
Fugate was arrested during a traffic stop in the early-morning hours of Feb. 7 by Kentucky State Police Sgt. Steve Walker for second-offense DUI and for failing to dim his headlights. According to the arrest citation, Fugate was observed crossing the "fog line" of the roadway, and then crossed the centerline into the wrong lane on US 25. He was traveling south toward Corbin. Once stopped, authorities said Fugate had bloodshot and glassy eyes, slurred speech and smelled strongly of alcohol. He told police he had drank five or seven beers before driving. An Intoxilizer breath test showed Fugate’s blood-alcohol as .260 – more than three times the legal limit of .08.
He pleaded guilty to the DUI charge March 23 and was ordered to pay a total of $519 in fines and court costs, his license was suspended for 12 months and he was sentenced to 90 days in jail, 76 days of which was probated. Initially, he was to report to the Laurel County Detention Center that day to serve his sentence. He did not. A bench warrant was issued for his arrest May 7.
Fugate was arrested for his first DUI May 17, 2009 while attempting to avoid a Kentucky State Police traffic checkpoint on Old US 25 and Slate Ridge. Judge Julia Hylton Adams sentenced Fugate to 30 days in jail, probated for two years provided he had no further violations. His license to drive was suspended for 30 days and he was ordered to pay $719 in fines and court costs. Fugate was also ordered to complete alcohol abuse treatment classes.
Fugate is a former Corbin City Police officer and also served as a deputy for the Laurel County Sheriff’s Department. He ran for a seat on the Corbin City Commission in 2006 but was defeated.
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2010)
EVER BEEN HIT WITH A BASEBALL BAT? Talk about riddiculous. I have the utmost respect for Sgt. Steve Walker and his mission to keep intoxicated people off the roads to make them safer. I also respect the Courts and their efforts to enforce the law and they are usely stricter than the example demonstrated. As for myself and Sgt. Steve Walker we go way back. On January 9, 2000 after going to State Police Post 11 in London, KY because of an Felonious Assault where an individual hit me in the calf so I couldn’t run, then in my left tricep I received a blunt force trauma wound to my left tricep which required (6) staples to close and then a second swing of the bat to my head and I was able to get my left arm up and received another blunt force tauma wound to my left elbow requiring another (6) staples to close, for a total of (12) staples over all. I went to the Post that night for help and because of the excessive amount of blood I was losing was asked to go outside in snowing and below freezing temperatures where I was eventually met by Sgt. Steve Walker. I told him I went there for help to give them ample opportunity to respond in hopes of apprehending my assaillant. Sgt. Walker seemed more interested in asking alcohol related questions instead of why my sleeve was saturated with blood from profusely bleeding and following the trail I had left through the State Police Post Lobby. He asked how I got there. I told him I drove (1) mile from the scene of my assault. Upon the arrival of Paramedics arriving I requested to call my father to take me to the hospital. Despite not witnessing me operate a motor vehicle or pulling me over Sgt. Steve Walker gave me an ultimatum to either go with the paramedics or be jailed for DUI. I did go with the paramedics because of Sgt. Walkers’ terms. I was ultimately charged with a DUI by Sgt. Steve Walker and left the state of Kentucky because of his careless attitude of the assault I sustained and protecting my rights as a citizen to protect me. And County Prosecutor Keith Early of Laurel County District Court has failed to do his job too and protect my rights and me from such a vicious assault. I have attempted to resolve this matter in excess of (20) times in the last (10) + years and ask them to bring my assailant to justice and hold him responsible, all to no avail. I have contacted Sgt. Steve Walker (3) times in the last (8) of those (10) + years, all to no avail. Last time I spoke to Sgt. Walker was (2) days prior to Easter of 2008 and was threatened by him to swear out a Felony Warrant for my arrest for Intimidating a Witness, which I assure you was not the case. I miss my family and the great state of Kentucky very much. In case anyone missed it because I failed to say it, I was hit with a BASEBALL BAT.
case. I miss my family and the great state of Kentucky very much.
These last 10 years + have been like a jail sentence and punishment in its self. I have tried contacting so many different people, from Circuit Court Prosecutors in Laurel County, both County Prosecutors Albright and Keith Early, spoke to Post Commanders with different State Police Posts, Laurel County Sherriffs Officers and Detectives, Kentucky Justice Cabinet and my Father, Denver Jones Sr. is personal friends with Laurel County Sheriff Fred Yaden and has spoke with him on more than one occassion and so have I, and he can’t even understand how Sgt. Steve Walker and County Prosecutor Keith Early even charged me. At any rate, everyone has turned their back on me and even after all these years they have yet to properly serve justice. I have cried and been so sad at times in my life because of this incident and how I was treated that how is it that the people you trust and that are elected officials and swear to do a duty and take an oath to serve justice to the full extent and uphold the law, not just what they feel or think is in their best interest. What about innocent victims such as myself who went to Post 11 that cold and traggic night. Where is my justice for the scars on my arm and my heart that serve as a constant reminder of my constitutional rights, the right to equal protection and the right to freedom of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness being violated with such individuals of the law conspiring with one another to commit what I consider is a crime on their behalf. If anyone can help, please, stand up and help me to resolve this matter and see that justice is served and carried out the way our forefathers founded the laws of the land to protect all individuals no matter what, race, creed, religion or beliefs are.
EVER BEEN HIT WITH A BASEBALL BAT? Talk about riddiculous. I have the utmost respect for Sgt. Steve Walker and his mission to keep intoxicated people off the roads to make them safer. I also respect the Courts and their efforts to enforce the law and they are usely stricter than the example demonstrated. As for myself and Sgt. Steve Walker we go way back. On January 9, 2000 after going to State Police Post 11 in London, KY because of an Felonious Assault where an individual hit me in the calf so I couldn’t run, then in my left tricep I received a blunt force trauma wound to my left tricep which required (6) staples to close and then a second swing of the bat to my head and I was able to get my left arm up and received another blunt force tauma wound to my left elbow requiring another (6) staples to close, for a total of (12) staples over all. I went to the Post that night for help and because of the excessive amount of blood I was losing was asked to go outside in snowing and below freezing temperatures where I was eventually met by Sgt. Steve Walker. I told him I went there for help to give them ample opportunity to respond in hopes of apprehending my assaillant. Sgt. Walker seemed more interested in asking alcohol related questions instead of why my sleeve was saturated with blood from profusely bleeding and following the trail I had left through the State Police Post Lobby. He asked how I got there. I told him I drove (1) mile from the scene of my assault. Upon the arrival of Paramedics arriving I requested to call my father to take me to the hospital. Despite not witnessing me operate a motor vehicle or pulling me over Sgt. Steve Walker gave me an ultimatum to either go with the paramedics or be jailed for DUI. I did go with the paramedics because of Sgt. Walkers’ terms. I was ultimately charged with a DUI by Sgt. Steve Walker and left the state of Kentucky because of his careless attitude of the assault I sustained and protecting my rights as a citizen to protect me. And County Prosecutor Keith Early of Laurel County District Court has failed to do his job too and protect my rights and me from such a vicious assault. I have attempted to resolve this matter in excess of (20) times in the last (10) + years and ask them to bring my assailant to justice and hold him responsible, all to no avail. I have contacted Sgt. Steve Walker (3) times in the last (8) of those (10) + years, all to no avail. Last time I spoke to Sgt. Walker was (2) days prior to Easter of 2008 and was threatened by him to swear out a Felony Warrant for my arrest for Intimidating a Witness, which I assure you was not the case. I miss my family and the great state of Kentucky very much. In case anyone missed it because I failed to say it, I was hit with a BASEBALL BAT.
Talk about riddiculous. I have the utmost respect for Sgt. Steve Walker and his mission to keep intoxicated people off the roads to make them safer. I also respect the Courts and their efforts to enforce the law and they are usely stricter than the example demonstrated. As for myself and Sgt. Steve Walker we go way back. On January 9, 2000 after going to State Police Post 11 in London, KY because of an Felonious Assault where an individual hit me in the calf so I couldn’t run, then in my left tricep I received a blunt force trauma wound to my left tricep which required (6) staples to close and then a second swing of the bat to my head and I was able to get my left arm up and received another blunt force tauma wound to my left elbow requiring another (6) staples to close, for a total of (12) staples over all. I went to the Post that night for help and because of the excessive amount of blood I was losing was asked to go outside in snowing and below freezing temperatures where I was eventually met by Sgt. Steve Walker. I told him I went there for help to give them ample opportunity to respond in hopes of apprehending my assaillant. Sgt. Walker seemed more interested in asking alcohol related questions instead of why my sleeve was saturated with blood from profusely bleeding and following the trail I had left through the State Police Post Lobby. He asked how I got there. I told him I drove (1) mile from the scene of my assault. Upon the arrival of Paramedics arriving I requested to call my father to take me to the hospital. Despite not witnessing me operate a motor vehicle or pulling me over Sgt. Steve Walker gave me an ultimatum to either go with the paramedics or be jailed for DUI. I did go with the paramedics because of Sgt. Walkers’ terms. I was ultimately charged with a DUI by Sgt. Steve Walker and left the state of Kentucky because of his careless attitude of the assault I sustained and protecting my rights as a citizen to protect me. And County Prosecutor Keith Early of Laurel County District Court has failed to do his job too and protect my rights and me from such a vicious assault. I have attempted to resolve this matter in excess of (20) times in the last (10) + years and ask them to bring my assailant to justice and hold him responsible, all to no avail. I have contacted Sgt. Steve Walker (3) times in the last (8) of those (10) + years, all to no avail. Last time I spoke to Sgt. Walker was (2) days prior to Easter of 2008 and was threatened by him to swear out a Felony Warrant for my arrest for Intimidating a Witness, which I assure you was not the case. I miss my family and the great state of Kentucky very much.
Bob oneil shouldn’t be commenting on anyone. He’s one that really needs to be checked out. He’s the biggest drunk and women beater in Corbin. I don’t know how he has a job, all he did when he worked at Corbin was come in drunk, sleep in his office and if he was awake he just tried to be little all of the officers. So maybe the Corbin paper should look into who is working at the jail and how bob oneil got that job.
Bob oneil shouldn’t be commenting on anyone. He’s one that really needs to be checked out. He’s the biggest drunk and women beater in Corbin. I don’t know how he has a job, all he did when he worked at Corbin was come in drunk, sleep in his office and if he was awake he just tried to be little all of the officers. So maybe the Corbin paper should look into who is working at the jail and how bob oneil got that job.
bob o’neil is the biggest CROOK in this town!!!!
as far as i know,bob oneil was his “bobb”.
hang in there bronsan.
Looks like the legal system is more crooked than the crooks. Great job!
Bob O is the man, and I think the world of him
I think it was mentioned in this article that he was a Laurel County Deputy.
why hasn’t the fact that he was a Laurel Count Sherrifs Deputy after leaving Corbin ever mentioned about Fugate? just curious.
why hasn’t the fact that he was a Laurel Count Sherrifs Deputy after leaving Corbin ever mentioned about Fugat? just curious.
I had another taste of justice a few years back I was wrongly accused of a pulling a gun on a so called lawer and another person who I would rather not mention. I proved the that the charge was a flat out lie. I had to pay a lawyer $2000 to do nothing but take my money I had two people who helped to prove I had not done what they accused me of one was Ky state trooper but it still cost me $2000 I got out of it by my own I talked to the prosicuter after he heard what I had to say he dropped the charges.
I had another taste of justice a few years back I was wrongly accused of a pulling a gun on a so called lawer and another person who I would rather not mention. I proved the that the charge was a flat out lie. I had to pay a lawyer $2000 to do nothing but take my money I had two people who helped to prove I had not done what they accused me of one was Ky state trooper but it still cost me $2000 I got out of it by my own I talked to the prosicuter after he heard what I had to say he dropped the charges.
I’d like to know what right these people who are judges, lawyers, & so called officers of the law. have the right to give us” the citzens” traffic tickets. fine us . put us in jail, or put us in jail. when they are worse than the average person on the street. I have myself had my so called justice.
I was hit by a tractor trailer while getting on the interstate, which spun my truck around across the interstate and due to that spin I hit another truck but the tractor kept going and a so called officer of the wrote the accident up as my faught. I proved to my insurance company 4 times where the officer had lied.
this is totally unbelievable! how can we continue to let these judges and prosecutors get away with this stuff. thank you to Mr. Knuckles and the newspaper for exposing the corruption. keep up the good work.
I’m not saying Bronson shouldn’t be punished for this 2nd DUI. He should definitely pay for his crimes, all I’m saying is that Jail has no use in this situation. All he would do is sit in the cell and sleep, watch TV and eat. He should be sentenced to some kind of community service that deals with DUI victims or victims of domestic violence. I spoke with him after the first DUI and he was remorseful, but he has an alcohol problem and he needs to own up to it. But no matter what I say you think he got special treatment, and as far as serving time maybe he did. But he is going to suffer long after any jail sentence has passed. And he could spend the next 10 years serving one day every year. I don’t agree with what the judge did, if he was going to let him serve his days off he should have gotten his work schedule and went by it. BTW, the prosecutor is the one responsible for agreeing to this, so blame him as well.
I know Bronson too… shouldn’t have anything to do with who he is, or who he is related to, but you’ve proven your point in your post… guess it does matter who you are or who your related to. BTW, would you like to be one of the more than 800 people in KY alone that is killed by a drunk driver each year.. I thought not.
Why would he be serving his time at Whitley County? He was sentenced in Laurel County. Strange.
I’ve known Bronson for years, I watched him become an outstanding Police Officer. I’ve known his family for 60 years plus. His Gfather and Gmother are exceptional people. I think Bronson started the problem with his divorce from Crystal. I’ve never seen a sentence like this but I don’t think it’s a double standard. Any way you look at he is being punsihed, he has to pay 2 grand in fines, fees, and lawyer fees. He faces a job loss from the railroad. Jail time is a moot point, it serves no purpose in this case whatsoever. He will suffer for many years to come, unable to get insurance, no drivers license for a year, alienation from the public and many other problems. And Bob O’Neill is one to talk, he is the biggest drunk that there is working at the jail along with Big “O”. Bob just hasn’t been caught yet but his time is coming. Bob lied about his “Green Beret” service and has never served one day in uniform but he has the nerve to act like he is someone.
Talk about a double standard… this is about as ridiculous as it comes. Citizens of Corbin should be outraged at this. Why did this complete idiot of a man get “special” treatment from an obviously incompetent judge. Keep this article handy, because when he gets out there and does this again… and kills someone… the family needs to make sure that Laurel County is completely impoverished when all is said and done.