Thomas Quarrel HolderA 19-year-old man was put on probation Thursday after pleading guilty in Hamilton County Criminal Court to providing an illegal firearm with which a juvenile was shot in the face while taking a photo in 2015.
Thomas Quarrel Holder IV received a two-year sentence that was suspended because he has a minimal prior record in Hamilton County, records show. After discussions between his defense attorney, Cindy Bice, and the district attorney's office, Holder was placed on probation instead, Judge Don Poole explained.
Poole said Holder initially faced a seven-count indictment, which a grand jury returned in November 2015. But the state agreed to drop two counts of contributing to the delinquency of a minor and one count of unlawful possession of a weapon, he added.
Holder ended up pleading guilty to reckless endangerment and possession of a prohibited weapon - both felonies - as well as contributing to the delinquency of a minor and providing handguns to minors - misdemeanors.
"Ms. Bice has asked to waive jail fees and I'll do that. I'll give you a chance to get on your feet," Poole said, before ordering Holder to pay $25 a month beginning in October.
Police rushed to 6828 Buck Trail in Harrison in October 2015 on calls of a 13-year-old having been shot in the face, prosecutor Andrew Coyle said. By the time law enforcement arrived, the victim had already been taken to Erlanger hospital.
"That individual is fine now," Coyle said. "It was not life-threatening injuries."
After searching the home, the officer found a 9 mm pistol and a 12-gauge shotgun, Coyle said. He also interviewed family members who said the juveniles were playing with the guns and taking pictures with their cellphones. One juvenile hefted the gun to pose for a shot, "and that is how it struck the victim in this case," Coyle said.
Holder, he said, was the only person present at the time of the shooting who was over 18 years old.
"He said he provided the 9 mm gun to his cousins," Coyle said.
Contact staff writer Zack Peterson at zpeterson@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6347. Follow on Twitter @zackpeterson918.