WQXE News

Steven Lawson has been formally sentenced for his role in the disappearance of Crystal Rogers.

A jury at the Warren County Justice Center on May 30 found Lawson guilty of Class B Felony Conspiracy to Commit Murder and Class D Felony Tampering with Physical Evidence following a four-day trial.

During the sentencing hearing Wednesday, Nelson Circuit Judge Charles Simms III issued a sentence in conformity with the jury’s recommendation of a total sentence of 17 years in prison. Lawson was sentenced to 17 years on the Conspiracy charge and five years on the Tampering charge, with the sentences to be served concurrently.

During the hearing, Rogers’s uncle Mike Ballard said he was there to see Lawson off before a long prison sentence, and that he would do everything he can to make sure Lawson never gets parole. Ballard said “In July of 2015, you made a choice to be a part of planning the murder of my niece Crystal Rogers. You could have prevented all of this from happening if you had just gone to the police and done the right thing. If you had done that I believe Crystal would still be here today, and so would my brother Tommy Ballard.” He implored Lawson to think of Rogers’s children and said “If you do one right thing in your life, this is the thing to do: let them know where their mom is.”

Lawson will have 30 days after the sentencing judgement is entered by the circuit court clerk’s office to file for an appeal.

Joseph Lawson, who was found guilty of the same charges as his father, and Brooks Houck, who was found guilty of Murder and Tampering with Physical Evidence, will be sentenced in Nelson Circuit Court on August 21.

Rumpke Waste and Recycling is reminding customers to be careful when disposing of certain items. 

Rumpke said in an email to customers that the company has experienced more than a dozen fires in the past month, and ”almost all of these events were caused by lithium-ion batteries improperly placed in the trash and recycling.”

The company is reminding customers that batteries are not accepted in trash and recycling programs. This includes lithium-ion batteries which are found in products such as electronics, small appliances and power tools, portable devices, and more.

Rumpke says batteries should never be placed in a curbside container as they can easily ignite or explode when compacted in a truck. The company also says not to place empty propane tanks in the trash, as they should be returned to stores to be disposed of or refilled.

Many electronic and hardware stores collect batteries, and local governments often host collection events such as Hardin County’s Household Hazardous Waste Collection event on August 9. Customers with questions on collection regulations should contact Rumpke.

The Radcliff Police Department is accepting registrations for their upcoming Citizens Police Academy.

“It is open for anyone over 18-years-old who is not a convicted felon,” said RPD Captain Willie Wells. “The application needs to be turned in by August 31. The applications can be obtained online on our Facebook site or on our city website, or here in person at the Radcliff Police Department.”

That’s Captain Willie Wells with the RPD. The Citizens Police Academy will run Monday nights from 6 to 8 p.m. from September 22 through November 10.

“It gives them a chance to learn about us and us a chance to learn about them,” Wells said. “It includes simulated firearms training, a ride-along program, investigations, the coroner’s office, just different various aspects of law enforcement. It helps bridge the communication gap between the community and us and allows us to develop relationships.”

The Citizens Police Academy is an opportunity to learn more about police work as well as an opportunity to support the RPD.

“A of the past persons that have completed this course, they keep in contact with us,” Wells said. “We have trouble in a certain neighborhood, we’ve already established a relationship with them, and so they know what we’re looking for and we know who to look for when we see them, so it just works both ways.”

You do not have to be interested in pursuing a career in law enforcement to attend, but if you are interested the Radcliff Police Department is currently hiring. Go to the Employment tab on the Police Department page at www.radcliff.org or contact the RPD to learn more.