According to a press release from the Hamilton County District Attorney’s office, in 2023 14 dangerous juveniles were transferred to Criminal Court to be tried as adults.

When deciding whether to request a transfer, the District Attorney considers the statutory factors, with the most significant factor being the seriousness of the offenses for which the defendant is charged.

Ultimately, it is the decision of the Hamilton County Juvenile Court Judge as to whether the defendant will be tried as an adult.

“As we continue to see an increase in juveniles committing serious offenses, including crimes involving firearms, we will work to ensure these offenders are punished appropriately,” said Hamilton County District Attorney Coty Wamp, “If we allow 16 and 17- year-olds to commit murder and get away with only a punishment prescribed by juvenile laws it sends a weak message to other juveniles who are committing the same offenses.

“Juveniles do not have an unlimited number of “second chances,” there will always come a time when my office says enough is enough,” she said.

This year, Hamilton County Juvenile Court Judge Rob Philyaw transferred 14 teenagers to be tried as adults. The juveniles along with their charges and age at the time of the transfer are as follows:

Kheir Matut – Attempted Murder, Felony Evading, Theft of Property, transferred on Feb. 14; 17 at time of transfer.

Kadarius Anderson – Unlawful Possession of a Firearm, Evading Arrest, Aggravated Robbery, transferred Feb. 23; 16 at time of transfer.

Jamar Edwards – Robbery, Aggravated Robbery, Evading Arrest, transferred Feb. 23; 14 at time of transfer.

Darriun Jones – Aggravated Assault x3, Assault x4, Evading Arrest, Unlawful Possession of a Firearm, Aggravated Robbery, transferred Feb. 23; 16 at time of transfer.

Tavarus Baugh – Aggravated Robbery, Carjacking, Agg. Robbery, Unlawful Possession of a Firearm, Attempted 2nd Degree Murder, Aggravated Robbery, transferred March 16; 16 at time of transfer.

Jamarvin Patterson – Carjacking, Theft of Property, Reckless Endangerment, Driving without a License, Evading Arrest, Failure to Maintain Lane, Reckless Driving, Leaving the Scene of an Accident, Aggravated Assault x4, transferred March 2; 15 at time of transfer.

Joshua Ogletree – 1st Degree Murder, Unlawful Possession of a Weapon, Attempt First Degree Murder, Esp. Agg Robbery, Agg. Robbery, Unlawful Possession of a Firearm, transferred April 17; 17 at time of transfer. Now Deceased.

Emarion Wright – Especially Aggravated Robbery, Kidnapping, transferred Aug. 28; 18 at time of transfer.

Robert Blocker –1st Degree Murder, Unlawful Possession of a Weapon, Possession of a Weapon During a Dangerous Offense, Reckless Endangerment; transferred Sept. 28; 15 at time of transfer.

Todd Linder –Possession of a Firearm During a Dangerous Offense, Aggravated Burglary; transferred Sept. 21; 17 at time of transfer.

Cashun Patterson – Reckless Endangerment, Criminal Trespass, Theft of a Firearm, Theft over $10,000, Attempted 1st Degree Murder; transferred Sept. 25; 17 at time of transfer.

Anthony Garner – 1st Degree Murder; transferred Nov. 9; 17 at the time of transfer.

Corey Palmer –Conspiracy to Commit 1st Degree Murder and 1st Degree Murder, three counts of Reckless Endangerment; 16 at the time of transfer.

Carvados Phelps –Conspiracy to Commit 1st Degree Murder and 1st Degree Murder, three counts of Reckless Endangerment; 16 at the time transfer.