HUMAN TRAFFICKING AMONG LATEST INDICTMENTS BY LAWRENCE COUNTY, KY GRAND JURY

Lawrence County Grand Jury met November 9 and issued multiple indictments. Levi Castle was indicted for the offense of sexual abuse in the first degree with a minor under the age of 12. See full indictment below.

 

Commonwealth of Kentucky vs. Jaime Alvaro

 

The Grand Jury charges: That on or before September 14, 2023, in Lawrence Co, Kentucky, and before the finding of the indictment herein, the above-named defendant:

 

1. Jaime Alvaro committed the offense of bail jumping in the first degree by knowingly and unlawfully having been released from custody by the court.

 

Commonwealth of Kentucky vs. Jason Meadows

 

The Grand Jury charges: That on or before July 14, 2023, in Lawrence Co, Kentucky, and before the finding of the indictment herein, the above-named defendant:

 

1. Jason Meadows acting alone or in complicity with Michael E. Pennington and Kerry Henderson committed the offense of possession of a controlled substance in the first degree by knowingly and unlawfully being in possession of a controlled substance, namely approximately 9.57 of Methamphetamine.

 

Commonwealth of Kentucky vs. Kerry Henderson

 

The Grand Jury charges: That on or before July 14, 2023, in Lawrence Co, Kentucky, and before the finding of the indictment herein, the above-named defendant:

 

1. Kerry Henderson acting alone or in complicity with Michael E. Pennington and Jason Meadows committed the offense of possession of a controlled substance in the first degree by knowingly and unlawfully being in possession of a controlled substance, namely approximately 9.57 of Methamphetamine.

Commonwealth of Kentucky vs. Michael Pennington

 

The Grand Jury charges: That on or before July 14, 2023, in Lawrence Co, Kentucky, and before the finding of the indictment herein, the above-named defendant:

 

1. Michael Pennington acting alone or in complicity with Jason Meadows and Kerry Henderson committed the offense of possession of a controlled substance in the first degree by knowingly and unlawfully being in possession of a controlled substance, namely approximately 9.57 of Methamphetamine.

 

Commonwealth of Kentucky vs. Tabitha White

 

The Grand Jury charges: That on or before May 6, 2023, in Lawrence Co, Kentucky, and before the finding of the indictment herein, the above-named defendant:

 

1. Tabitha White committed the offense of possession of a controlled substance in the first degree by knowingly and unlawfully being in possession of a controlled substance, Methamphetamine.

2. Tabitha White acting alone or in complicity with John Litton committed the offense of possession of a controlled substance in the first degree by knowingly and unlawfully being in possession of a schedule I controlled substance, Heroin.

3. Tabitha White committed the offense of use/possession of drug paraphernalia in the first degree by knowingly and unlawfully being in possession of two altered straws containing chemical residue.

 

Commonwealth of Kentucky vs. Anglea Mullins

 

The Grand Jury charges: That on or before August 29, 2023, in Lawrence Co, Kentucky, and before the finding of the indictment herein, the above-named defendant:

1. Angela Mullins committed the offense of possession of a controlled substance in the first degree by knowingly and unlawfully being in possession of a controlled substance, methamphetamine.

2. Angela Mullins committed the offense of use/possession of drug paraphernalia in the first degree by knowingly and unlawfully being in possession of a syringe.

 

Commonwealth of Kentucky vs. Jason Pack

 

The Grand Jury charges: That on or before August 8, 2023, in Lawrence Co, Kentucky, and before the finding of the indictment herein, the above-named defendant:

 

1. Jason Pack committed the offense of burglary in the second degree by knowingly and unlawfully entering and remaining in a dwelling house owned by Jimmy Castle, located on Jefferson St. in Louisa, Ky with the intent therein to commit the crime of theft.

 

Commonwealth of Kentucky vs. Aubrey McCallon

 

The Grand Jury charges: That on or before September 23, 2023, in Lawrence Co, Kentucky, and before the finding of the indictment herein, the above-named defendant:

 

1. Aubrey McCallon committed the offense of theft by unlawful taking over $1,000 by knowingly and unlawfully taking a Samsung brand cell phone from Ralph Penn of Inez, Ky while at Forbidden Arts Tattoos of Louisa, Ky with an amount of the loss exceeding $1,000.

 

Commonwealth of Kentucky vs. Bret Thomas

 

The Grand Jury charges: That on or before August 13, 2023, in Lawrence Co, Kentucky, and before the finding of the indictment herein, the above-named defendant:

 

1. Bret Thomas committed the offense of trafficking in a controlled substance in the first degree by knowingly and unlawfully being in possession of approximately 3.489 grams, with the intent to traffic in that Methamphetamine or by trafficking in that 3/489 grams of Methamphetamine.

2. Bret Thomas, having been charged in the instant indictment with the above stated felony count(s) is now being charged as a persistent felony offender in the first degree.

 

Commonwealth of Kentucky vs. William Copley

 

The Grand Jury charges: That on or before July 13, 2023, in Lawrence Co, Kentucky, and before the finding of the indictment herein, the above-named defendant:

1. William Copley committed the offense of bail jumping in the first degree by knowingly and unlawfully having been released from custody by the court.

 

Commonwealth of Kentucky vs. Derrick Smith

 

The Grand Jury charges: That on or before October 10, 2023, in Lawrence Co, Kentucky, and before the finding of the indictment herein, the above-named defendant:

 

1. Derrick Smith acting alone or in complicity with Kearston Johnson committed the offense of theft by unlawful taking over $1,000 by knowingly and unlawfully taking a brand new four wheeler owned by Derek Maynard of Louisa, Ky.

2. Derrick Smith, having been charged in the instant indictment with the above stated felony count(s) is now being charged as a persistent felony offender in the first degree.

3. Derrick Smith committed the offense of fleeing/evading in the first degree by knowingly and unlawfully disregarding signals and commands to stop given by Deputy Tyler Laney with the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Department, while they were working in their official capacity as a law enforcement officer, with the intent to flee, avoid or elude his arrest.

4. Derrick Smith committed the offense of wanton endangerment in the first degree by knowingly and unlawfully engaging in  conduct which created a substantial danger to another, namely Deputy Tyler Laney and Sheriff Chuck Jackson with the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Department.

 

Commonwealth of Kentucky vs. Kearston Johnson

 

The Grand Jury charges: That on or before October 10, 2023, in Lawrence Co, Kentucky, and before the finding of the indictment herein, the above-named defendant:

 

1. Kearston Johnson acting alone or in complicity with Derrick Smith committed the offense of theft by unlawful taking over $1,000 by knowingly and unlawfully taking a brand new four wheeler owned by Derek Maynard of Louisa, Ky.

 

Commonwealth of Kentucky vs. Rachael Wellman

 

The Grand Jury charges: That on or before July 10, 2023, in Lawrence Co, Kentucky, and before the finding of the indictment herein, the above-named defendant:

 

1. Rachael Wellman acting alone or in complicity with Nathaniel Houston committed the offense of possession of a controlled substance in the first degree by knowingly and unlawfully being in possession of a controlled substance, Methamphetamine.

2. Rachael Wellman acting alone or in complicity with Nathaniel Houston  committed the offense of use/possession drug paraphernalia first degree by knowingly and unlawfully being in possession of an altered glass pipe and several syringes loaded with a liquid substance.

 

Commonwealth of Kentucky vs. Nathaniel Houston

 

The Grand Jury charges: That on or before July 10, 2023, in Lawrence Co, Kentucky, and before the finding of the indictment herein, the above-named defendant:

 

1. Nathaniel Houston acting alone or in complicity with Rachel Wellman committed the offense of possession of a controlled substance in the first degree by knowingly and unlawfully being in possession of a controlled substance, Methamphetamine.

2. Nathaniel Houston  acting alone or in complicity with Rachel Wellman committed the offense of use/possession drug paraphernalia first degree by knowingly and unlawfully being in possession of an altered glass pipe and several syringes loaded with a liquid substance.

 

Commonwealth of Kentucky vs. Robert Chafin

 

The Grand Jury charges: That on or before August 10, 2023, in Lawrence Co, Kentucky, and before the finding of the indictment herein, the above-named defendant:

 

1. Robert Chafin committed the offense of unlawful imprisonment in the first degree by knowingly and unlawfully restraining Alexiya Schwan under circumstances which exposed her to a risk of serious physical injury.

2. Robert Chafin committed the offense of promoting human trafficking by knowingly, intentionally, and unlawfully recruits, entices, harbors, transports, provides or obtains by any means or attempts to recruit, entice, harbor, transport, provide or obtain by any means, another person, knowing that person will be subjected to human trafficking.

3. Robert Chafin committed the offense of trafficking in a controlled substance in the first degree by knowingly and unlawfully being in possession of a controlled substance, namely Methamphetamine, with the intent to traffic in that controlled substance or by trafficking in a controlled substance, namely Methamphetamine.

 

Commonwealth of Kentucky vs. Summer Zornes

 

The Grand Jury charges: That on or before October 13, 2023, in Lawrence Co, Kentucky, and before the finding of the indictment herein, the above-named defendant:

 

1. Summer Zornes committed the offense of possession of a controlled substance in the first degree by knowingly and unlawfully being in possession of a schedule I controlled substance, Heroin.

2. Summer Zornes committed the offense of possession of a controlled substance in the first degree by knowingly and unlawfully being in possession of a schedule controlled substance, Methamphetamine.

 

Commonwealth of Kentucky vs. Colton Nelson 

 

The Grand Jury charges: That on or before August 12, 2023, in Lawrence Co, Kentucky, and before the finding of the indictment herein, the above-named defendant:

 

1. Colton Nelson committed the offense of possession of a controlled substance in the first degree by knowingly and unlawfully being in possession of Fentanyl, a controlled substance.

2. Colton Nelson committed the offense of possession/use of drug paraphernalia by knowingly and unlawfully being in possession of two altered straws.

 

Commonwealth of Kentucky vs. Michael Pennington 

 

The Grand Jury charges: That on or before July 14, 2023, in Lawrence Co, Kentucky, and before the finding of the indictment herein, the above-named defendant:

 

1. Michael Pennington committed the offense of assault in the second degree when he intentionally caused physical injury to Randy York of Louisa, Ky by means of a dangerous instrument or deadly weapon.

2. Michael Pennington, having been charged in the instant indictment with the above stated felony count(s) is now being charged as a persistent felony offender in the first degree.

 

Commonwealth of Kentucky vs. Michael Pennington 

 

The Grand Jury charges: That on or before August 11, 2023, in Lawrence Co, Kentucky, and before the finding of the indictment herein, the above-named defendant:

 

1. Michael Pennington committed the offense of possession of a controlled substance in the first degree, second offense by knowingly and unlawfully being in possession of a controlled substance, Methamphetamine, with a prior conviction.

 

Commonwealth of Kentucky vs. Julie Lewis 

 

The Grand Jury charges: That on or before June 7, 2023, in Lawrence Co, Kentucky, and before the finding of the indictment herein, the above-named defendant:

 

1. Julie Lewis committed the offense of possession of a controlled substance in the first degree by knowingly and unlawfully being in possession of a controlled substance, Methamphetamine.

2. Julie Lewis committed the offense of use/possession of drug paraphernalia in the first degree by knowingly and unlawfully being in possession of an altered glass pipe.

 

Commonwealth of Kentucky vs. Jimmy Robbins

 

The Grand Jury charges: That on or before August 25, 2023, in Lawrence Co, Kentucky, and before the finding of the indictment herein, the above-named defendant:

 

1. Jimmy Robbins committed the offense of tampering with physical evidence by knowingly and unlawfully destroying, removing, altering or concealing physical evidence that he believed would be used against him in an official proceeding.

 

Commonwealth of Kentucky vs. Angela Ratliff 

 

The Grand Jury charges: That on or before August 24, 2023, in Lawrence Co, Kentucky, and before the finding of the indictment herein, the above-named defendant:

 

1. Angela Ratliff committed the offense of possession of a controlled substance in the first degree by knowingly and unlawfully being in possession of a controlled substance, Methamphetamine.

2. Anglea Ratliff committed the offense of use/possession drug paraphernalia in the first degree of an altered glass pipe.

 

Commonwealth of Kentucky vs. Levi Castle 

 

The Grand Jury charges: That on or before January 1, 2014 through December 15, 2018 , in Lawrence Co, Kentucky, and before the finding of the indictment herein, the above-named defendant:

 

1. Levi Castle committed the offense of sexual abuse in the first degree by knowingly and unlawfully subjecting a minor under the age of twelve (12), to sexual contact with said offenses occurring against a vulnerable victim in a continuing course of conduct by engaging the above referenced acts two (2) or more times between January 1, 2014 and December 15, 2018.

 

Editor’s Note: The indictment or charge of a person by a grand jury or otherwise is an accusation only and that person is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.