Former girls’ basketball coach indicted on sex charges
By Lilly Adkins
BSN Associate Editor
PAINTSVILLE — Six people were indicted by the Johnson County Grand Jury last Wednesday, Sept. 21, including a former Johnson County High School girls’ basketball coach charged with sexual offenses that allegedly happened in 2016 while he was in his position.
Darrin P. Rice, 54, of Wittensville, is charged with third-degree rape, first-degree sexual abuse and third-degree sodomy.
According to the indictment, on or about Oct. 1, 2016, Rice, being in a position of trust and/or authority, allegedly knowingly and unlawfully engaged in sexual intercourse with a 17-year-old with whom he had come into contact because of that position, knowingly and unlawfully subjected a minor who is less than 18 years of age to sexual contact and allegedly engaged in deviate sexual intercourse with a 17-year-old with whom he had come into contact because of that position.
Johnson County Schools Superintendent Thom Cochran issued a release regarding the indictment.
“Johnson County Schools has learned that a former employee and girls’ basketball coach has been indicted on multiple counts of inappropriate conduct,” the release said.” Our priority is the safety and welfare of all students. Although this deals with a former employee, we always strive to work with law enforcement and the community to protect each and every one of our students. Because this is an active Kentucky State Police investigation, all questions are referred to law enforcement officials.”
Others named in true bills returned Sept. 21 include:
• Gregory Vanhoose, 58, of Meally, charged with first-degree possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine), third-degree possession of a controlled substance, possession/use of drug paraphernalia and prescription controlled substance not in the proper container for allegedly possessing methamphetamine, gabapentin and a plastic baggie with chemical residue, and a controlled substance not in the properly administered container on March 28.
• Amanda Vanhoose, 41, of West Van Lear, charged with first-degree bail jumping for allegedly failing to appear for a pretrial conference on a felony charge July 15 after having previously been ordered to do so.
• Skyler Kestner, 27, of River, charged with first-degree strangulation, fourth-degree assault (domestic violence) and fourth-degree assault (child abuse) for allegedly applying pressure to the throat or neck of Gabrial Lemaster and causing physical injury, and causing physical injury to a juvenile on April 5.
• Antonia Vance, 26, of Dana, charged with first-degree bail jumping for allegedly failing to appear for a pretrial conference on a felony charge May 6 after having previously been ordered to do so.
• Nicholas Barnett, 34, of West Van Lear, charged with first-degree bail jumping for allegedly failing to appear for a final report date on June 17 on a felony charge July 15 after having previously been ordered to do so.
(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.)