A Kentucky man who reportedly served only five months of a 14-year prison sentence has been arrested again, this time on charges related to the kidnapping of a woman and her children. Armond Langford, 32, was apprehended after a manhunt in Louisville. According to news reports, he demanded $20,000 from the victim while holding a knife at her throat during the terrifying ordeal. “He opened our back door and told them to get in the car,” the husband of the victim recounted, emphasizing the fear they endured.
Langford had been sentenced in February 2024 for a series of armed robberies targeting individuals using ATMs. He was convicted of robbing 22 people but was released earlier this year after just six months due to a controversial judge’s decision. Judge Jessica Green, appointed by the state’s Democratic governor, granted “shock probation,” a legal maneuver meant to reduce recidivism by startling offenders with unexpected release.
The decision has drawn heavy criticism. Local council member Anthony Piagentini expressed outrage, stating, “I will find out who that judge was and seek to impeach them.” He holds the judge accountable for Langford’s recent actions. Prosecutor Karl Price noted that Judge Green had imposed specific restrictions on Langford upon his release, including a requirement to adhere to house rules and random drug testing, which raised questions about the effectiveness of the oversight: “Somewhere between the judge’s order and today, someone dropped the ball.”
With a long history of violence, Langford’s latest arrest includes charges of first-degree robbery, kidnapping, and first-degree assault. He allegedly escaped with an undisclosed amount of money after terrorizing the victims at the bank. Police later arrested him under an overpass, highlighting the overall tension regarding public safety following his release.
This case underscores ongoing concerns about the balance between rehabilitation efforts and public safety, especially when guidelines allow for such early releases.
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