Lockridge man?s conviction could lead to deportation

A felony conviction may lead to the deportation of a Lockridge man charged with setting fire to his family?s home in October.

Jefferson County Attorney Tim Dille said 31-year-old Geoffrey Karugo Kimani is only listed as a permanent resident, not a citizen, of the United States. The second-degree arson conviction entered Tuesday could be grounds for deportation to Kimani?s homeland Kenya; however, Dille said that action is up to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Kimani pleaded guilty by an Alford plea, whereby, Dille explained, he admits the state has enough evidence to convict, but he would be unable to overcome the weight of the state?s evidence due to extenuating circumstances. In the case of an Alford plea, examples of extenuating circumstances include amnesia caused by trauma during an accident or an inability to recall events because of intoxication, Dille explained.

A district court judge sentenced Kimani to 10 years in jail. The sentence was suspended in favor of five years probation, the maximum allowed.

For the complete article, see the Friday, Jan. 7, 2011, printed edition of The Fairfield Ledger.