State-Journal.com - Man given 4 years probation for sexually assaulting young girls

Ronnie Coubert

A Frankfort man has been sentenced to four years probation and 60 days of house arrest for sexually assaulting two young female relatives between 2003 and 2005.

Ronnie Coubert, 38, 4260 St. Johns Road, was given probation because Dave Breeding of Assessment and Treatment Alternatives deemed him a low community risk during his pre-sentence investigation.

Franklin Circuit Judge Phillip Shepherd took testimony from Breeding Friday, and Breeding said Coubert shows signs of Asperger’s syndrome – a disorder that affects socialization skills, according to a report by the Mayo Clinic.

Breeding said while Coubert showed a low risk to the community, he tested as a moderate risk to repeat his crimes.

Coubert would be a higher risk if he in fact has Asberger’s syndrome, Breeding said.

Coubert’s attorney – Scott Getsinger – argued his client wouldn’t be able to get proper treatment behind bars.

Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Dana Todd opposed probation because of the nature of Coubert’s crimes and the likelihood he would repeat them.

Shepherd gave Coubert probation because he didn’t pose a risk to the community and didn’t show signs of being an outgoing predator.

As part of his probation, Coubert must serve 60 days house arrest, complete sex offender treatment, have no contact with juveniles and maintain full-time employment after his house arrest.

Shepherd reminded Coubert he can’t be around juvenile family members.

“You need to understand that you are to have absolutely no contact with juveniles,” Shepherd told Coubert. “That includes family members or anybody outside your family.

“If there is some situation you get put in where you’re not aware there is a child there, if you have any inadvertent contact, you need to tell your probation officer so she can tell you how to handle it.”

Court documents say Coubert sexually assaulted two female relatives, both under 12, several times between Nov. 1, 2003 and Feb. 15, 2005.

Coubert reportedly told one of the victims she’d get in trouble if she told on him, court documents say.

Coubert can only go to the probation office and sex offender treatment during his house arrest, Shepherd said.

In other court action Friday:

>Michael Blankenship, 29, of Lawrenceburg, must serve one year after Shepherd revoked his probation for a new alcohol-related charge in Fayette County and getting kicked out of sex offender treatment.

Blankenship, who was given probation May 30, 2008 on amended charges of tampering with physical evidence, was arrested for alcohol intoxication in Fayette County Sept. 2, court documents say.

As a result of the charges and because he’d missed a number of meetings, Blankenship was terminated from sex offender treatment, court documents say.

Blankenship showed up at the Fayette County Probation and Parole office drunk 8:45 a.m. Oct. 13, documents say.

Blankenship was originally charged with sexual abuse after he sexually assaulted a 4-year-old female while drunk Nov. 20, 2005, police reports say. He pleaded guilty to lesser charges May 30, 2008.

>Gary Smith, 24, 5134 Georgetown Road #11, must serve five years after Franklin Circuit Judge Thomas Wingate revoked his probation for missing sex offender treatment meetings, remaining unemployed and not paying fees.

Smith met a 14-year-old girl who lived near him on MySpace and had a sexual relationship with her between Sept. 21, 2007 and Sept. 30, 2007, court documents say.

Smith received five years probation on charges of rape, sodomy and unlawful use of electronic equipment Aug. 8, 2008.

>John Travillian, 22, 903 Crosshill Drive #13, pleaded guilty to criminal abuse charges.

Travillian abused a child under the age of 12 between Oct. 1, 2008 and Dec. 8, 2008, his indictment says.

Prosecutors said a neighbor found Travillian’s young son heavily bruised and with a broken leg Dec. 8, 2008, The State Journal reported Jan. 8.

The Commonwealth recommends eight years and opposes probation, Todd said.

Travillian faces up to 10 years and will be sentenced Jan. 8.

>Romelle Coleman, 22, 117 Ridgewood Lane, pleaded guilty to charges of possession of cocaine, ecstasy and marijuana.

Police reports say they recovered 356 ecstasy pills, small amounts of crack cocaine, marijuana, Closapam and $850 from his residence Feb. 22. Police found the ecstasy pills and cash in a safe after receiving a tip of drug activity at his residence, reports say.

The Commonwealth recommends five years and has no position on probation, Commonwealth’s Attorney Larry Cleveland said.

Coleman faces up to five years and will be sentenced Jan. 15.