Narcotics Unit

The Narcotics Unit aggressively prosecutes national, state and local drug organizations and users. This unit works closely with Metro Narcotics, a joint law enforcement task force, to follow drug cases from investigation, through prosecution and sentencing. The Unit also works closely with federal agencies to ensure that the community is protected from all levels of narcotics organizations.

Mark Baker - Division Chief, Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney, Senior Narcotics Prosecutor

Mr. Baker received his license to practice law in 1994, and he joined the Office of the Commonwealth's Attorney in August, 2004. He graduated from the University of Louisville School of Law in 1994 after receiving his BS in Business from UK. After 5 years of a varied private practice in Central City, KY, he served as an Assistant Public Advocate in the Capital Trial Unit of the Department for Public Advocacy for five years. In that position, Mr. Baker tried 19 jury trials to verdict, including 4 capital cases. He is a professional member of the Kentucky Bar Association. Formerly the office Robbery Liason, Mr. Baker is a recognized expert on asset forfeiture matters. He currently serves as Division Chief for the Narcotics Unit.

Frank Dahl - Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney

Mr. Dahl is a 2006 graduate of the University of Louisville Brandeis School of Law, and he received his license to practice law in the Commonwealth of Kentucky in 2007. He received his B.A. in Psychology from the University of Louisville in 2002. Mr. Dahl worked as a Law Clerk in the Commonwealth's Attorney's Office for two and one-half years, eventually rising to the rank of Senior Law Clerk. Prior to that, he was a Social Service Worker for the Cabinet for Health and Family Services for almost two years. He is a professional member of the Kentucky Bar Association and the American Bar Association. Mr. Dahl is currently assigned to the Narcotics Unit.

Lisa Cartier Giroux - Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney

Ms. Cartier Giroux has received trial practice training at Gerry Spence’s Trial Lawyers College in Wyoming, the National Criminal Defense College in Macon, Georgia, and the National Institute for Trial Advocacy in New York City. Also, while in the New York City, she served as a volunteer teacher for the New York Civil Rights Coalition’s public high school program on stereotypes, civil rights, and race relations. She is a professional member of the Kentucky Bar Association and is currently assigned to the Narcotics Unit.

Ms. Cartier Giroux and one of her successful prosecutions were featured on a segment of the popular A&E television show "After the First 48".

Evan Spalding- Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney

Mr. Spalding is a 2007 graduate of the Cumberland School of Law at Samford University, and he received his license to practice law in the Commonwealth of Kentucky that same year. He also received his B.A. in English from Samford University in 2003, where he was a varsity track and field athlete. Mr. Spalding worked as a Staff Attorney for the Honorable Kelly Mark Easton, Chief Regional Circuit Judge, Hardin Circuit Court, prior to joining the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office. He is a professional member of the Kentucky Bar Association and the American Bar Association. Mr. Spalding is currently assigned to the Narcotics Unit.

John Balenovich - Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney

Mr. Balenovich received his license to practice law in the Commonwealth of Kentucky in 2005 and joined the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office in October 2008. He received his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Philosophy/Sociology/Psychology from Bellarmine University in 2001, his M.S. Degree in Justice Administration from the University of Louisville in 2006, and his J.D. Degree from the University of Louisville Brandeis School of Law in 2005. In his last year of law school, Mr. Balenovich participated in a Criminal Justice externship in this office. For the last three years, he has been engaged in the private practice of civil law locally and throughout most of West Virginia, including extensive litigation experience. He has published extensively, including an article in a recent Kentucky Bench and Bar magazine. In the past, Mr. Balenovich served as a Law Clerk for Ricketts and Travis and for the Appalachian Research and Development Fund. He is also a trained mediator. Mr. Balenovich is a professional member of the Kentucky Bar Association, and he is currently assigned to Narcotics Unit.

Logan Sims - Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney

Mr. Sims received his B.A. summa cum laude in Philosophy from the University of San Francisco in 2004, and his J.D. from the University of Louisville School of Law in 2008. He was officially admitted to the Kentucky Bar in 2009 and joined the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office in February of that year. During law school, Mr. Sims received numerous awards and honors, and was a summer Associate for Sales, Tillman, Catlett, Wallbaum, and Satterly in 2006, and a summer Associate for Greenebaum, Doll, and McDonald in 2007. He has traveled extensively and recently completed a Spanish immersion school experience in South America. He is a professional member of the Kentucky Bar Association. Mr. Sims is currently assigned to the Narcotics Unit.

Josh Schneider - Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney, Animal Abuse Liaison

Mr. Schneider received his license to practice law in Kentucky in 2009 and joined the Commonwealth's Attorney's Office in that same year. He is a graduate of the University of Louisville Brandeis School of Law (2008), having received his Bachelor of Arts Degree in English from Northland College in 1998 and his Master's Degree in Education from the University of Vermont in 2000. From 1998 to 2005, he taught and traveled in the Czech Republic, Alaska, Chile, and New Zealand. While in law school, Mr. Schneider achieved the highest grade in his Trial Advocacy course. In the past, he has worked as a law clerk for Tom Conway and Chad Gardner, and as an Extern in the Commonwealth's Attorney's Office. He currently coaches 8th grade basketball for the Catholic School Athletic Association and is a member of the KBA Young Lawyers Section. Mr. Schneider is a professional member of the Kentucky Bar Association and is currently assigned to Narcotics Unit.