Lawrence County Grand Jury Indictments August 13, 2020

Lawrence County Grand Jury Indictments

August 13, 2020

 

Lawrence County Grand Jury met August 13, 2020 and handed down 23 indictments with wanton endangerment charges on a former Lawrence County Constable Billy Lemaster and other wanton endangerment charges including charges being on several minors. Indictment also handed down for sodomy charges stemming back to November 2016, 2017 and 2018 on victims ranging from ages 12-14.

 

Commonwealth vs. Danny W. Young

 

The Grand Jury charges that on or before July 26, 2020 in Lawrence County, Ky the above-named defendant:

 

1. Danny W. Young committed the offense of fleeing or evading the police in the first degree by knowingly and unlawfully operating a motor vehicle with the attempt to elude or flee from Constable Daniel L. Castle with the Lawrence Co Constables Office, while acting in his official capacity as a police officer, and in so fleeing or evading, he created substantial risk of serious physical injury or death to any person or property, including the subject peace officer and the surrounding public.

2. The above-named defendant committed the offense of wanton endangerment in the first degree by knowingly, wantonly and unlawfully operating a motor vehicle in a manner which created a substantial danger of death or serious physical injury to Constable Danile L. Castle with Lawrence County Constable’s Office.

3. The above-named defendant committed the offense of wanton endangerment in the first degree by knowingly, wantonly and unlawfully operating a motor vehicle in a manner which created a substantial danger of death or serious physical injury to Danile Cordle.

4. The above-named defendant committed the offense of wanton endangerment in the first degree by knowingly, wantonly and unlawfully operating a motor vehicle in a manner which created a substantial danger of death or serious physical injury to Billie Cordle.

5. The above-named defendant committed the offense of wanton endangerment in the first degree by knowingly, wantonly and unlawfully operating a motor vehicle in a manner which created a substantial danger of death or serious physical injury to Dan Jaynes.

6. The above-named defendant committed the offense of wanton endangerment in the first degree by knowingly, wantonly and unlawfully operating a motor vehicle in a manner which created a substantial danger of death or serious physical injury to a minor child.

7. The above-named defendant committed the offense of operating a motor vehicle on suspended or revoked operator’s license by knowingly and unlawfully operating a motor vehicle on the roadways of the Commonwealth of Ky while his operator’s license was suspended or revoked.

8. The above-named defendant committed the violation of reckless driving by knowingly and unlawfully and recklessly operating a motor vehicle upon the roadways of the Commonwealth of Ky without due regard for the safety and convenience of pedestrians and other vehicles upon said roadways.

9. The above-named defendant having been charged in the instant indictment with the above steed felony counts is now being charged as a persistent felony offender in the first degree.

 

Commonwealth vs. Carlos Hayes 

 

The Grand Jury charges that on or before March 11,  2020 in Lawrence County, Ky the above-named defendant :

 

1. Carolos Hayes 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. The above-named defendant committed the offense of possession of drug paraphernalia by knowingly and unlawfully being in possession of an altered pipe.

 

Commonwealth vs. Kenneth Stepp

 

The Grand Jury charges that on or before August 11, 2020 in Lawrence County, Ky the above-named defendant :

 

1. Kenneth A. Stepp committed the offense of fleeing or evading the police in the first degree by knowingly and unlawfully disregarding the orders of Deputy Mason Keefer of the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Department to stop who was operating in his official capacity.

2. The above-named defendant having been charged in the instant indictment with the above stated felony counts is now being charged as a persistent felony offender in the first degree.

3. The above-named defendant committed the offense of operating a motor vehicle on suspended or revoked license by knowingly and unlawfully operating a motor vehicle while his license to operate the motor vehicle had been suspended or revoked.

4. The above-named defendant committed the violation of reckless driving by knowingly and unlawfully operating a motor vehicle upon a Ky roadway in a reckless manner.

Commonwealth vs. Franklin Castle

 

The Grand Jury charges that on or before May 29, 2020 in Lawrence County, Ky the above-named defendant :

 

1. Franklin Castle 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. The above-named defendant committed the offense of possession of drug paraphernalia by knowingly and unlawfully being in possession of a syringe.

 

Commonwealth vs. Melvin Harmon

 

The Grand Jury charges that on or before August 6, 2019 in Lawrence County, Ky the above-named defendant :

 

1. Melvin Harmon 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.

2. The above-named defendant 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.

3. The above-named defendant committed the offense of public intoxication by knowingly and unlawfully being in a public setting manifestly under the influence of a controlled substance or other drugs.

4. The above-named defendant committed the violation of failure to wear seat belts by knowingly and unlawfully being a passenger in a motor vehicle operating upon a Ky roadway without proper safety belts in place as defined in KRS:189.125.

 

Commonwealth vs. Gary Lynn Cordle 

 

The Grand Jury charges that on or before April4, 2020 in Lawrence County, Ky the above-named defendant :

 

1. Gary Lynn Cordle acting alone or in complicity with Julie Maze, committed the offense of possession of a controlled substance in the first degree by knowingly and unlawfully being possession of Methamphetamine.

2. The above-named defendant, acting alone or in complicity with Julie Maze, committed the offense of tampering with physical evidence by knowingly and unlawfully concealing, destroying, or altering physical evidence that he believed would be used against him in an official proceeding.

3. The above-named defendant acting alone or in complicity with Julie Maze, committed the offense of possession of drug paraphernalia by knowingly and unlawfully being in possession of a syringe.

 

Commonwealth vs. Julie E. Maze 

 

The Grand Jury charges that on or before July 26, 2020 in Lawrence County, Ky the above-named defendant:

 

1. Julie E. Maze acting alone or in complicity with Gary Lynn Cordle, committed the offense of possession of a controlled substance in the first degree by knowingly and unlawfully being possession of Methamphetamine.

2. The above-named defendant, acting alone or in complicity with Gary Lynn Cordle , committed the offense of tampering with physical evidence by knowingly and unlawfully concealing, destroying, or altering physical evidence that he believed would be used against her in an official proceeding.

3. The above-named defendant acting alone or in complicity with Gary Lynn Cordle, committed the offense of possession of drug paraphernalia by knowingly and unlawfully being in possession of a syringe.

 

Commonwealth vs. Rick Graham

 

The Grand Jury charges that on or before February 11, 2020 in Lawrence County, Ky the above-named defendant :

 

1. Rick Graham 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. The above-named defendant committed the offense of possession of drug paraphernalia by knowingly and unlawfully being in possession of a syringe.

 

Commonwealth vs. Christopher McDowell

 

The Grand Jury charges that on or before April 2, 2020 in Lawrence County, Ky the above-named defendant :

1. Christopher McDowell committed the offense of possession of a controlled substance in the first degree by knowingly and unlawfully being in possession of a controlled substance, Hydrocodone.

2. The above-named defendant committed the offense of possession of drug paraphernalia by knowingly and unlawfully being in possession of several used syringes.

3. The above-named defendant committed the violation of no/expired registration plates by knowingly and unlawfully operating a motor vehicle upon a Ky roadway with improper or expired registration plates.

4. The above-named defendant committed the offense of operating on a suspended or revoked operator’s license by knowingly and unlawfully operating a motor vehicle upon a Ky roadway while his operator’s license was suspended or revoked.

5. The above-named defendant committed the offense of failure of wonder to maintain required insurance, second offense, by knowingly and unlawfully operating a motor vehicle upon a Ky roadway without proper securities insurance as a defining and required condition in KRS: 302.39-080.

Commonwealth vs. Gary Lynn Cordle 

 

The Grand Jury charges that on or before July 2, 2020 in Lawrence County, Ky the above-named defendant :

 

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

2. The above-named defendant committed the offense of possession of a controlled substance in the first degree by knowingly and unlawfully being in possession of a controlled substance, Heroin.

3. The above-named defendant committed the offense of tampering with physical evidence by knowingly and unlawfully concealing, destroying, altering evidence in which he believes will be used against him at an official proceeding.

4. The above-named defendant committed the offense of possession of drug paraphernalia by knowingly and unlawfully being in possession of an altered pipe.

 

Commonwealth vs. Stanley McCarty 

 

The Grand Jury charges that on or before August 17, 2019 in Lawrence County, Ky the above-named defendant :

 

1. Stanley McCarty committed the offense of possession of a handgun by a convicted felon by knowingly and unlawfully being in possession of a .38 caliber handgun and a .22 caliber handgun after having been previously convicted of a felony.

 

The Grand Jury charges that on or before August 17, 2019 in Lawrence County, Ky the above-named defendant :

 

1. Stanley McCarty acting alone or in complicity with Sarah Moore committed the offense of trafficking in a controlled substance in the first degree by knowingly and unlawfully being in possession of more than 2 grams of Methamphetamine, three sets of digital scales, baggies containing residue, a transaction ledger, with the intent to traffic in that controlled substance, namely Methamphetamine, while in possession of two handguns, a Smith and Wesson brand .38 caliber pistol and a Heritage brand .22 caliber pistol.

 

Commonwealth vs. Sarah Moore 

 

The Grand Jury charges that on or before August 17, 2019 in Lawrence County, Ky the above-named defendant :

 

2. Sarah Moore  acting alone or in complicity with Stanley McCarty committed the offense of trafficking in a controlled substance in the first degree by knowingly and unlawfully being in possession of more than 2 grams of Methamphetamine, three sets of digital scales, baggies containing residue, a transaction ledger, with the intent to traffic in that controlled substance, namely Methamphetamine, while in possession of two handguns, a Smith and Wesson brand .38 caliber pistol and a Heritage brand .22 caliber pistol.

 

Commonwealth vs. Gary Fyffe 

 

The Grand Jury charges that on or before March 2, 2020 in Lawrence County, Ky the above-named defendant :

 

1. Gary Fyffe 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, with a previous conviction.

2. The above-named defendant committed the offense of possession of drug paraphernalia by knowingly and unlawfully being in possession of an altered pipe.

 

Commonwealth vs. Billy Lemaster

 

The Grand Jury charges that on or before July 5, 2020   in Lawrence County, Ky the above-named defendant:

 

1. Billy Lemaster committed the offense of wanton endangerment in the first degree by knowingly and unlawfully engaging in conduct which created a substantial danger of death or serious physical injury to Mr. David Roberts.

2. The above-named defendant committed the offense of wanton endangerment in the first degree by knowingly and unlawfully engaging in conduct which created a substantial danger of death or serious physical injury to Lauren Adams.

Commonwealth vs. Charles Moran 

 

The Grand Jury charges that on or before April 8, 2020 in Lawrence County, Ky the above-named defendant :

 

1. Charles Moran committed the offense of assault in the first degree by intentionally causing serious physical injury to another person, namely Mr. Brad Paisley, by means of a deadly weapon or dangerous instrument.

 

Commonwealth vs. Lloyd Brown 

 

The Grand Jury charges that on or before September 24, 2020 in Lawrence County, Ky the above-named defendant :

 

1. Lloyd Brown committed the offense of trafficking in a controlled substance in the first degree by knowingly and unlawfully being in possession of .164 grams of Methamphetamine, with the intent to traffic in that controlled substance or by trafficking in a controlled substance, namely Methamphetamine, with a prior conviction.

 

Commonwealth vs. Steven Messer 

 

The Grand Jury charges that on or before May 31, 2020 in Lawrence County, Ky the above-named defendant :

 

1. Steven Messer committed the offense of wanton endangerment in the first degree by knowingly and unlawfully engaging in conduct which created a substantial danger of death or serious physical injury to a minor.

2. The above-named defendant committed the offense of wanton endangerment in the first degree by knowingly and unlawfully engaging in conduct which created a substantial danger of death or serious physical injury to Betty Canterbury.

3. The above-named defendant committed the offense of wanton endangerment in the first degree by knowingly and unlawfully engaging in conduct which created a substantial danger of death or serious physical injury to a minor child.

4. The above-named defendant committed the offense of wanton endangerment in the first degree by knowingly and unlawfully engaging in conduct which created a substantial danger of death or serious physical injury to minor child different from the minor child reference in count 3.

5. The above-named defendant committed the offense of wanton endangerment in the first degree by knowingly and unlawfully engaging in conduct which created a substantial danger of death or serious physical injury to a minor child different from the minor children reference in counts 3 and 4.

6. The above named defendant committed the offense of operating a motor boat or vessel negligently or while intoxicated or drugged by operating a motorboat or vessel in a negligent or reckless manner so as to endanger the life or property of any person or while under the influence of alcohol or other substances that impair a drivers ability to operate that motorboat or vessel.

Commonwealth vs. Ronald L. Kuykendall

 

The Grand Jury charges that on or before November 1, 2016 in Lawrence County, Ky the above-named defendant :

 

1. Ronald L. Kuykendall committed the offense of sodomy in the first degree by knowingly and unlawfully committing an offense against a vulnerable victim by engaging in deviate sexual intercourse with a victim less than 12 years of age in November 2016.

2. The above-named defendant being 18 years of age or more at the time of said offense, committed the offense of sodomy in the second degree by knowingly and unlawfully engaging in deviate sexual intercourse with a victim less than 14 years of age in November 2017.

3. The above-named defendant being 18 years of age or more at the time of said offense, committed the offense of sodomy in the second degree by knowingly and unlawfully engaging in deviate sexual intercourse with a victim less than 14 years of age in November 2018.

 

Commonwealth vs. Tammy Evans 

 

The Grand Jury charges that on or before June 16, 2020 in Lawrence County, Ky the above-named defendant :

 

1. Tammy Evans 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. The above-named defendant committed the offense of no operator’s license by knowingly and unlawfully operating a motorized vehicle upon a Ky roadway without an operator’s license.

 

Commonwealth vs. Bethla Stump

 

The Grand Jury charges that on or before June 12, 2020 in Lawrence County, Ky the above-named defendant:

 

1. Bethla Stump 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. The above-named defendant committed the offense of possession of drug paraphernalia by knowingly and unlawfully being in possession of multiple syringes.

 

Commonwealth vs. Brian Roop

 

The Grand Jury charges that on or before April 10, 2020 in Lawrence County, Ky the above-named defendant :

 

1. Brain Roop acting alone or in complicity with Joshua Ray 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. The above-named defendant acting alone or in complicity with Joshua Ray committed the offense of criminal trespassing in the third degree by knowingly and unlawfully entered and remained on property owned by (name not disclosed).

 

Commonwealth vs. Joshua Ray

 

The Grand Jury charges that on or before April 10, 2020 in Lawrence County, Ky the above-named defendant :

 

3. Joshua Ray acting alone or in complicity with Brian Roop 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.

4. The above-named defendant acting alone or in complicity with Brian Roop committed the offense of criminal trespassing in the third degree by knowingly and unlawfully entered and remained on property owned by (name not disclosed).

 

An indictment is not proof of guilt or innocence.