Fifteen Cases Have Been Bumped up to Lawrence Grand Jury

By Roberta Cantrell
BSN Editor

The Lawrence County Grand Jury handed down 15 true bills to 14 individuals with one having two separate indictments, during the August session.

Jason Hodge, 65, of Louisa, was charged on his first indictment of two counts of first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance, third-degree trafficking in a controlled substance, tampering with physical evidence and possession of drug paraphernalia.

The indictment states that on May 1, he committed the offense of trafficking in 112.1 grams of methamphetamine, 2.609 grams of methadone (30) dosage units of clonazepam, (10) dosage units of buprenorphine, $5315 cash, scales, and individual plastic baggies. He was also in possession of rolling papers, a grinder and a plate containing chemical residue with a cut straw.

Hodge was also charged with unlawfully destroying removing, altering or concealing physical evidence he believed would be used against him in court.

In a separate indictment, Hodge is charged with possession of a handgun by a convicted felon and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon when on May 1, he was found to be in possession of a Ruger brand .9mm caliber handgun and a Rossi brand .22 caliber mag rifle after being convicted of a felony in Lawrence County.

Two people were charged in complicity drug charges Pamela J. Camacho, 52, of Louisa, and Jeremy Artrip, 44, were both charged with trafficking in a controlled substance within 1,000 yards of a school (complicity), first-degree possession of a controlled substance (complicity) and possession of drug paraphernalia (complicity) when on April 11, both were found to be unlawfully in possession of (49) pre-rolled marijuana cigarettes, THC vapes, (6) packages of marijuana edibles, plastic baggies, digital scales, a ledger, and packaging equipment with the intent to traffic within 1000 feet of Louisa West Elementary School. Both were in possession of methamphetamine and (2) altered pipes.

•Cheyenne Moles, 37, of Mouthcard, was charged with (2) counts of 1st degree possession of a controlled substance when on Feb. 24, she was unlawfully in possession of Metonitazene and Fentanyl.  

•Austin J. Harczinski, 20, of Louisa, was charged with rape in the second degree when on March 2, he unlawfully engaged in sexual intercourse with another person who was mentally incapacitated at the time.

•Joseph B. Graves, 40, of Springfield, was charged with receiving stolen property over $10,000 and second-degree persistent felony offender when on May 31, he committed the offense of being in possession of a 2021 GMC Sierra automobile, reportedly stolen from Clark County, with a value of $35,321.

•Jennifer L. Jackson, 45, of Fort Gay, WV, was charged with first degree possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia when on June 17, she committed the offense of being in possession of methamphetamine and (4) syringes.

•Kayla Dalton, 35, homeless, was charged with first degree possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, prescription of a controlled substance not in proper container when on July 18, she was found to be in possession of methamphetamine, a glass pipe and was in possession of suboxone not in the proper container.

•Juanita O’Bryan-Wiley, 36, homeless, was charged with first degree possession of a controlled substance when on July 23, she was unlawfully in possession of methamphetamine.

•Elizabeth Green, 55, of Louisa, was charged with first degree possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, operating a motor vehicle on revoked license, second degree disorderly conduct and no registration plates when on May 22, she unlawfully committed the offense of being in possession of methamphetamine, a glass pipe, rolling papers and a tourniquet. Green also is charged with driving on suspended license no registration plates and engaging in violent or threatening behavior in a public place with the intent to cause annoyance or alarm.

•Billy Howard, 58, of Louisa, was charged with first degree possession of a controlled substance, tampering with physical evidence and possession of drug paraphernalia when on May 1, he was unlawfully in possession of methamphetamine and an altered glass pipe. Howard also committed the offense of destroying, concealing, removing or altering physical evidence he believed would be used against him in an official proceeding.

•Vina McCormick, 59, of Blaine, was charged with first degree possession of a controlled substance when on July 3, she was unlawfully in possession of methamphetamine.

•John Spillman, 42, of Louisa, was charged with second degree burglary when on July 9, he unlawfully entered the dwelling of Michelle Marcum and Charles Marcum with the intent to commit a crime therein.

•Brian Chase Cantrell, 35, of Paintsville, was charged with third degree burglary, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of a legend drug, giving officer a false name, reckless driving, failure to wear seatbelt and no operator’s license when on May 31, he committed the offense of burglary by entering and remaining in Walmart of Louisa with the intent to commit a crime therein. He also committed the offense of being in possession of (2) syringes and gave police misleading information as to his name or identity. Cantrell was also charged with driving in a manner without regard for the safety and convenience of pedestrians and other vehicles upon roadways with no operator’s license.

(Editor’s note: An indictment is not an indication of guilt but a determination by a grand jury that criminal charges warrant further judicial review.)