Porch Pirate Sentenced to Fifteen Years in Prison

DA Charme Allen announces that prosecutors in the Career Gang Unit obtained convictions against a man who stole packages from the front porches of two victims.  Juan Cheves Kizer, 48, was convicted of Burglary and Theft.  Judge Scott Green sentenced Kizer to serve fifteen years in prison consecutive to a ten-year sentence out of Jefferson County.

In a sentencing hearing, Assistant District Attorney TaKisha Fitzgerald explained to the court that on July 4 and July 6, 2023, Kizer stole packages from the front porches of two separate victims.  One victim was at a cancer treatment center in Texas where her child was undergoing treatment when Kizer stole items the victim had ordered for her child.  Another victim worked in the medical profession, and Kizer stole medical supplies from the victim’s porch.  The total value of the items Kizer stole exceeded $50,000.  The Knox County Sheriff’s Office used home security cameras to identify Kizer and take him into custody.

“Evidence like the videos recovered in this case can greatly assist us in holding offenders accountable,” said DA Allen.

Kizer has twelve prior felony convictions out of Jefferson, Houston, Montgomery, and Stewart Counties for Aggravated Assault, Aggravated Burglary, Forgery, Theft, and drug dealing offenses.  Assistant Victim Witness Coordinator Sheri Burkett aided in the prosecution of this case.

If you have any questions, please contact Sean McDermott at 865-215-2515 or Sean.McDermott@knoxcounty.org. For more information about the District Attorney’s Office, visit our website at dag.knoxcountytn.gov and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.