By Carolyn Reid
Jacob Christoper Roberts of Covington, KY, pled guilty to the murders of Dillon Carpenter and Madison Klups in the court of the Honorable Jay Delaney earlier this month.
The murders occurred Memorial Day weekend, 2021, and the search for the killer lasted more than two weeks with Roberts’ arrest occurring after he pointed a pistol at two Kenton County Police Department officers. Roberts fired on the officers, and they fired back with Roberts receiving multiple gunshot wounds. KSP later reported he had previously pointed a gun in a Boone County Sheriff’s deputy’s face.
Roberts was indicted by a Pendleton County grand jury June 25, 2021, for the murders and for Theft by Unlawful Taking of a firearm and less than $500 as well as Persistent Felony Offender charges, according to the July 8, 2021 edition of the Falmouth Outlook.
First Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Michael Laws issued this statement March 16, 2023.
FALMOUTH, KY – On May 28, 2021, Jacob Christopher Roberts drove to Dillion Carpenter’s residence on Straub Lane in Demossville, KY, with the intent to rob him. Roberts asked Carpenter to use his cell phone as a ploy to get into his home. Once inside, Roberts shot Dillion Carpenter and Madison Klups each multiple times with a handgun at close range. Both victims died as a result of their injuries. According to Roberts, he stole items from the victim’s residence, and he disposed of the murder weapon in the Ohio River.
After an investigation by the Kentucky State Police, Roberts was indicted by a Pendleton County Grand Jury on June 25, 2021. The Commonwealth intended to seek the death penalty at trial.
On March 15, 2023, Roberts pleaded guilty to two counts of Murder, Robbery in the First Degree, Burglary in the First Degree, Theft by Unlawful Taking (Firearm), Theft by Unlawful Taking (Less than $500.00), and Possession of a Handgun by a Convicted Felon. After consultation with the victims’ families and with their approval, the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office recommended a sentence of life in prison without the benefit of probation or parole. After Roberts pleaded guilty, Pendleton Circuit Judge Jay Delaney followed the Commonwealth’s recommendation and sentenced him to life in prison without parole.
First Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Michael Laws credited the detectives for their hard work on the case. “I am pleased that Roberts will spend the rest of his life in prison. We were able to obtain this result because of the hard work and thorough investigation of Kentucky State Police Detectives Jeff Gaby and Kevin Flick. I would like to thank our Victim Advocate Sheila Wiley for supporting the victims’ families through this difficult process. Our hearts go out to the families of Dillion and Madison. Although they will always feel the loss of their loved ones, I hope that this result will help bring them some measure of closure.”
Roberts is currently housed in the Eastern Kentucky Correctional Complex.