Johnson County Grand Jury Indicts Ten

By Lilly Adkins

BSN Associate Editor

PAINTSVILLE — The Johnson County Grand Jury issued ten true bills on Jan. 26, including one for attempted murder.

•Timothy L. Rivers, 61, of Sitka, is charged with criminal attempted murder; first-degree wanton endangerment and cultivating marijuana, more than five plants.

On Dec. 1, 2023, Rivers allegedly intentionally attempted to cause the death of his son, Josh Rivers by shooting him with a Winchester brand 30/30 caliber rifle; he engaged in conduct that creates substantial danger of death or serious physical injury to another person, a juvenile child and he cultivated over five marijuana plants.

•Rodrick Mollett, 29, of Inez, is charged with first-degree possession of a controlled substance.

On or before May 23, 2023, Mollette was allegedly in possession of methamphetamine.

•Casey Spence, 25, of Inez, is charged with second-degree assault of a police officer; first-degree persistent felony offender; third-degree criminal trespassing; second-degree criminal mischief and resisting arrest.

On or before Jan. 4, Spence allegedly assaulted Johnson County Sheriff Scott Hazlette while he was acting in his official capacity, causing physical injury while armed with a dangerous weapon or deadly instrument; he his a previously convicted felon; he knowingly and unlawfully entered upon and remained on property owned by Portia Walls of Nippa; he damaged a uniform owned by the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office and he attempted to prevent Johnson County Sheriff Scott Hazlette from effecting an arrest by using or threatening to use physical force against the officer.

•Kenneth B. Cantrell, 35, of Paintsville, is charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and second-degree persistent felony offender.

On or before Dec. 16, 2023, Cantrell was allegedly in possession of a Winchester brand 12-gauge shotgun after having been previously convicted of a felony and he is a previously convicted felon.

•James Ratliff, 58, of Paintsville, is charged with first-degree possession of a controlled substance; possession/use drug paraphernalia and prescription of a controlled substance not in the proper container.

On or before Dec. 15, 2023, Ratliff was allegedly in possession of methamphetamine; several glass pipes and a syringe and he had three diazepam dosage units not in the proper administered container.

Kody Harless, 25, of Tomahawk, was indicted twice. In the first indictment, he is charged with first-degree promoting contraband.

On or before Nov. 17, 2023, Harless allegedly introduced, obtained or possessed a controlled substance into the Big Sandy Regional Detention Center, namely fentanyl.

In the second indictment, Harless is charged with two counts of first-degree possession of a controlled substance; two counts of third-degree possession of a controlled substance and possession of marijuana.

On or before Nov. 16, 2023, Harless was allegedly in possession of methamphetamine, fluorofentanyl and fentanyl, buprenorphine, alprazolam and marijuana.

•David J. Blevins, 46, of Staffordsville, is charged with possession of a handgun by a convicted felon; first-degree persistent felony offender; third-degree possession of a controlled substance and possession/use of drug paraphernalia.

On or before Oct. 14, 2023, Blevins was allegedly in possession of a Jimenez brand .9mm handgun after having previously been convicted of a felony; he is a previously convicted felon; he was in possession of gabapentin and da plastic baggie with chemical residue inside.

•Brian Charles, 40, of Thelma, is charged with first-degree possession of a controlled substance; illegal possession of a legend drug; possession of marijuana; prescription of a controlled substance not in the proper container and possession/use drug paraphernalia.

On or about Dec. 30, 2023, Charles was allegedly in possession of methamphetamine; three zip lock baggies labeled Lorazepam and Clonazepam; six marijuana cartridges; Lorazepam and Clonazepam not in the proper administered container and an altered glass pipe containing chemical residue.

•Larry M. Blackburn, 33, of Nippa, is charged with receiving stolen property; first-degree fleeing or evading police in a motor vehicle; second-degree fleeing or evading police on foot and reckless driving.

On or before Sept. 5, 2023, Blackburn allegedly received stolen property over $1,000 being in possession of overhead aerial wire, stolen from foothills rural telephone cooperative corporation of Staffordsville with the total amount of the wire valued at $12,739.47; he operated a motor vehicle with the attempt to elude Johnson County Sheriff’s Deputy Darvin Marsillett while acting in his official capacity; he also attempted to flee on foot and he operated his motor vehicle in a reckless manner without regard for the safety and convenience of pedestrians or other vehicles upon the roadway.

(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.)