YOUNG LOUISA ‘LADY’ APPARENTLY SNAPPED GOING ON WAVE OF TROUBLEMAKING IN JULY COMMITTING MULTIPLE OFFENSES DURING THREE SEPARATE ALTERCATIONS
HITS AND KILLS DOG DURING FRACAS
AUGUST 4, 2026 – written by WADE QUEEN
OH WHAT A HANDFUL OF ‘BEAUTIFUL JOY’: COURTNEY JO COOPER, 21, OF LOUISA, WHO AS A DERANGED WHITE GIRL, GOES ON MULTI-DAY CRIME SPREE IN A SOUTHERN WEST VIRGINIA COUNTY DURING JULY 2026
A Lawrence County, Kentucky woman was arrested July 28 on warrants stemming from three separate incidents in Mingo County, including one in which she allegedly struck and killed a dog with her vehicle.
Courtney Jo Cooper, 21, of Louisa, KY., faces two felony charges and several misdemeanor charges arising from incidents reported last month on July 6, July 7 and July 24.
According to the first criminal complaint filed in Mingo County Magistrate Court, Corporal. M.A. Lendearo and deputy Jacob May of the Mingo County Sheriff’s Department responded Monday, July 6, to a residence on Church Street in Matewan after a 911 caller reported an altercation involving a firearm.
Amanda Bryant, who lives at the residence, reportedly told officers that Payton Evans was visiting her when Courtney Jo Cooper, his former girlfriend, arrived and entered the home without permission.
Courtney Jo Cooper allegedly began yelling at those inside before leaving the residence and repeatedly striking Payton Evans’ pickup truck with a glass alcohol bottle, damaging the vehicle.
Several witnesses told investigators that Courtney Jo Cooper then drove down Church Street, where Dexter Varney was walking his dog. Dexter Varney alleged that Courtney Jo Cooper steered her vehicle toward him, narrowly missing him but striking and seriously injuring the dog. The animal later died from its injuries.
Courtney Jo Cooper allegedly turned her vehicle around and drove toward Dexter Varney a second time, causing him to fear for his life. Dexter Varney then picked up a brick and prepared to throw it at the vehicle, according to the complaint.
Courtney Jo Cooper responded by drawing a handgun, pointing it toward Dexter Varney and fleeing the scene, police said.
A second warrant stemmed from a Tuesday, July 7 crash at an apartment building on Willow Street in West Williamson.
Williamson Police Department patrolman officer R.A. Moore spoke with tenant Tiffany Hall, who said Courtney Jo Cooper had arrived at Payton Evans’ apartment to retrieve her belongings and was driving a late-model Nissan Altima.
As Courtney Cooper attempted to drive behind the building and pass between two parked vehicles, she allegedly struck a white van and Tiffany Hall’s silver Toyota Corolla. The van’s owner declined to pursue charges because the damage was minimal. Tiffany Hall reported substantial damage to her vehicle and elected to press charges.
The third incident happened Friday, July 24, at an apartment in Williamson Towers in East Williamson.
Kaydence Hall stated to West Virginia State Police Senior Trooper C.K. Johnson, that she and Courtney Jo Cooper were spending time together when an argument began. Kaydence Hall alleged that Courtney Jo Cooper “jumped” and assaulted her.
Courtney Jo Cooper also allegedly struck a parked vehicle while leaving the scene.
WVSP trooper Johnson charged her with one count of battery in connection with the incident.
Law enforcement officers spotted Courtney Jo Cooper in Williamson on Tuesday, July 28. Corporal. E. Williams of the Mingo County Sheriff Department took her into custody.
Charges in the three cases include cruelty to animals causing death, wanton endangerment involving a firearm, reckless driving, assault, destruction of property, striking an unattended vehicle, and battery.
Courtney Jo Cooper remains in the Southwestern Regional Jail in Holden, West Virginia; in Logan County, under bonds totaling $7,000 cash.
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