A Lawrence County Grand Jury met on September 12, 2024 and issued the following criminal indictments:
Commonwealth of Kentucky vs. Joshua Ratliff
The Grand Jury charges: that on or about May 7, 2024, in Lawrence County, Kentucky, and before the finding of the indictment herein, the above-named defendant:
1. Joshua Ratliff acting alone or in complicity with Taylor Mills, Lucille Mills and Julian Ooten committed the offense of Trafficking in a Controlled Substance in the 1st Degree > 2 grams (Methamphetamine) by knowingly and unlawfully being in possession of Methamphetamine, $103.00 in cash monies, digital scales and assorted baggies, with the intent of trafficking in that controlled substance, or by Trafficking in Methamphetamine, namely approximately 58.016 grams of Methamphetamine.
2. Joshua Ratliff acting alone or in complicity with Taylor Mills, Lucille Mills and Julian Ooten committed the offense of Trafficking in a Controlled Substance in the 1st Degree (Fentanyl) by knowingly and unlawfully being in possession of Fentanyl, $103.00 in cash monies, digital scales and assorted baggies, with the intent of trafficking in that Schedule II narcotic, or by Trafficking in that Fentanyl, of any quantity.
3. Joshua Ratliff acting alone or in complicity with Taylor Mills, Lucille Mills and Julian Ooten committed the offense of Importing Fentanyl by knowingly and unlawfully transporting Fentanyl into the Commonwealth by any means with the intent to sell or distribute the Fentanyl.
4. That the Defendant, 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 2nd Degree.
Commonwealth of Kentucky vs. Julian Ooten
The Grand Jury charges: that on or about May 7, 2024, in Lawrence County, Kentucky, and before the finding of the indictment herein, the above-named defendant:
1. Julian Ooten acting alone or in complicity with Taylor Mills, Lucille Mills and Joshua Ratliff committed the offense of Trafficking in a Controlled Substance in the 1st Degree > 2 grams (Methamphetamine) by knowingly and unlawfully being in possession of Methamphetamine, $103.00 in cash monies, digital scales and assorted baggies, with the intent of trafficking in that controlled substance, or by Trafficking in Methamphetamine, namely approximately 58.016 grams of Methamphetamine.
2. Julian Ooten acting alone or in complicity with Taylor Mills, Lucille Mills and Joshua Ratliff committed the offense of Trafficking in a Controlled Substance in the 1st Degree (Fentanyl) by knowingly and unlawfully being in possession of Fentanyl, $103.00 in cash monies, digital scales and assorted baggies, with the intent of trafficking in that Schedule II narcotic, or by Trafficking in that Fentanyl, of any quantity.
3. Julian Ooten acting alone or in complicity with Taylor Mills, Lucille Mills and Joshua Ratliff committed the offense of Importing Fentanyl by knowingly and unlawfully transporting Fentanyl into the Commonwealth by any means with the intent to sell or distribute the Fentanyl.
Commonwealth of Kentucky vs. Lucille Mills
The Grand Jury charges: that on or about May 7, 2024, in Lawrence County, Kentucky, and before the finding of the indictment herein, the above-named defendant:
1. Lucille Mills acting alone or in complicity with Taylor Mills, Julian Ooten and Joshua Ratliff committed the offense of Trafficking in a Controlled Substance in the 1st Degree > 2 grams (Methamphetamine) by knowingly and unlawfully being in possession of Methamphetamine, $103.00 in cash monies, digital scales and assorted baggies, with the intent of trafficking in that controlled substance, or by Trafficking in Methamphetamine, namely approximately 58.016 grams of Methamphetamine.
2. Lucille Mills acting alone or in complicity with Taylor Mills, Julian Ooten and Joshua Ratliff committed the offense of Trafficking in a Controlled Substance in the 1st Degree (Fentanyl) by knowingly and unlawfully being in possession of Fentanyl, $103.00 in cash monies, digital scales and assorted baggies, with the intent of trafficking in that Schedule II narcotic, or by Trafficking in that Fentanyl, of any quantity.
3. Lucille Mills acting alone or in complicity with Taylor Mills, Julian Ooten and Joshua Ratliff committed the offense of Importing Fentanyl by knowingly and unlawfully transporting Fentanyl into the Commonwealth by any means with the intent to sell or distribute the Fentanyl.
Commonwealth of Kentucky vs. Taylor Mills
The Grand Jury charges: that on or about May 7, 2024, in Lawrence County, Kentucky, and before the finding of the indictment herein, the above-named defendant:
1. Taylor Mills acting alone or in complicity with Lucille Mills, Julian Ooten and Joshua Ratliff committed the offense of Trafficking in a Controlled Substance in the 1st Degree > 2 grams (Methamphetamine) by knowingly and unlawfully being in possession of Methamphetamine, $103.00 in cash monies, digital scales and assorted baggies, with the intent of trafficking in that controlled substance, or by Trafficking in Methamphetamine, namely approximately 58.016 grams of Methamphetamine.
2. Taylor Mills acting alone or in complicity with Lucille Mills, Julian Ooten and Joshua Ratliff committed the offense of Trafficking in a Controlled Substance in the 1st Degree (Fentanyl) by knowingly and unlawfully being in possession of Fentanyl, $103.00 in cash monies, digital scales and assorted baggies, with the intent of trafficking in that Schedule II narcotic, or by Trafficking in that Fentanyl, of any quantity.
3. Taylor Mills acting alone or in complicity with Lucille Mills, Julian Ooten and Joshua Ratliff committed the offense of Importing Fentanyl by knowingly and unlawfully transporting Fentanyl into the Commonwealth by any means with the intent to sell or distribute the Fentanyl.
4. That the Defendant, 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 1st Degree.
5. Taylor Mills 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.
6. Taylor Mills committed the offense of Possession/Use Drug Paraphernalia by knowingly and unlawfully being in possession of glass smoking pipe and cut/altered straws.
7. The above named Defendant committed the offense of Public Intoxication (Excluding Alcohol) by knowingly and unlawfully being manifestly under the influence of a controlled substance to the degree he may endanger himself or other persons or property, or unreasonably annoy persons in his vicinity.
Commonwealth of Kentucky vs. Mitchell Johnson
The Grand Jury charges: that on or about April 9, 2023, in Lawrence County, Kentucky, and before the finding of the indictment herein, the above-named defendant:
1. Mitchell Johnson committed the offense of Criminal Abuse in the 1st Degree by knowingly, intentionally and unlawfully abusing a minor under the age of twelve (12), namely B.A., who was two (2) years old at the time, and thereby caused torture, cruel confinement or cruel punishment.
Commonwealth of Kentucky vs. Leslie Triplett
The Grand Jury charges: that on or about August 5, 2024, in Lawrence County, Kentucky, and before the finding of the indictment herein, the above-named defendant:
1.Leslie Triplett acting alone or in complicity with Weslie Triplett committed the offense of Possession of a Controlled Substance in the 1st Degree, 2nd Offense by knowingly and unlawfully being in possession of a Controlled Substance, namely 23.035 grams of Methamphetamine, with a prior conviction of 218A.1415, Lawrence Circuit Court, 15-CR-00036.
2. Leslie Triplett acting alone or in complicity with Weslie Triplett committed the offense of Possession of a Controlled Substance in the 1st Degree by knowingly and unlawfully being in possession of a Controlled Substance, namely .258 grams of Fentanyl, a Schedule II narcotic.
3. Leslie Triplett acting alone or in complicity with Weslie Triplett committed the offense of Possession/Use Drug Paraphernalia by knowingly and unlawfully being in possession of an altered straw, rolling papers, and a loaded syringe.
4. Leslie Triplett acting alone or in complicity with Weslie Triplett committed the offense of Possession of Marijuana by knowingly and unlawfully being in possession of marijuana.
5. Leslie Triplett committed the offense of Operating a Motor Vehicle under the Influence of Alcohol/Drugs, 2nd Offense within 10 years by knowingly and unlawfully operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or other substances that impair a driver’s ability to operate a motor vehicle with at least (1) prior conviction within 10 years, Shelby County District Court 20-M-00102.
6. The above named defendant committed the violation of Failure of Owner to Maintain Required Insurance by knowingly and unlawfully operating a motor vehicle without possessing the required motor vehicle securities insurance.
7. The above named defendant committed the violation of No Registration Plates by knowingly and unlawfully operating a motor vehicle upon a Kentucky roadway without proper registration receipt as defined in KRS: 186.170.
8. The above named defendant committed the offense of Failure to Wear Seatbelt by knowingly and unlawfully operating a motor vehicle without having a seatbelt properly adjusted and fastened.
9. The above named defendant committed the violation of Failure to Produce Insurance Card by knowingly and unlawfully being in physical control of a motor vehicle operating upon a Kentucky roadway without being in possession of an Insurance verification card as required and defined in KRS: 304.39-117.
Commonwealth of Kentucky vs. Donald White
The Grand Jury charges: that on or about June 7, 2024, in Lawrence County, Kentucky, and before the finding of the indictment herein, the above-named defendant:
1. Donald White committed the offense of Possession of a Controlled Substance in the 1st Degree by knowingly and unlawfully being in possession of a Controlled Substance, namely Methamphetamine.
2. Donald White committed the offense of Possession of a Controlled Substance in the 1st Degree by knowingly and unlawfully being in possession of a Controlled Substance, namely Fentanyl, a Schedule II narcotic.
3. Donald White committed the offense of Possession of Drug Paraphernalia by knowingly and unlawfully being in possession of two (2) syringes.
Commonwealth of Kentucky vs. Earl Meek
The Grand Jury charges: that on or about April 2, 2024, in Lawrence County, Kentucky, and before the finding of the indictment herein, the above-named defendant:
1. Donald White committed the offense of Possession of a Controlled Substance in the 1st Degree by knowingly and unlawfully being in possession of a Controlled Substance, namely Methamphetamine.
Commonwealth of Kentucky vs. Weslie Triplett
The Grand Jury charges: that on or about August 5, 2024, in Lawrence County, Kentucky, and before the finding of the indictment herein, the above-named defendant:
1.Weslie Triplett acting alone or in complicity with Leslie Triplett committed the offense of Possession of a Controlled Substance in the 1st Degree, 2nd Offense by knowingly and unlawfully being in possession of a Controlled Substance, namely 23.035 grams of Methamphetamine, with a prior conviction of 218A.1415, Lawrence Circuit Court, 15-CR-00036.
2. Weslie Triplett acting alone or in complicity with Leslie Triplett committed the offense of Possession of a Controlled Substance in the 1st Degree by knowingly and unlawfully being in possession of a Controlled Substance, namely .258 grams of Fentanyl, a Schedule II narcotic.
3. Weslie Triplett acting alone or in complicity with Leslie Triplett committed the offense of Possession/Use Drug Paraphernalia by knowingly and unlawfully being in possession of an altered straw, rolling papers, and a loaded syringe.
4. Weslie Triplett acting alone or in complicity with Leslie Triplett committed the offense of Possession of Marijuana by knowingly and unlawfully being in possession of marijuana.
Commonwealth of Kentucky vs. Jordan Lyons
The Grand Jury charges: that on or about March 16, 2024, in Lawrence County, Kentucky, and before the finding of the indictment herein, the above-named defendant:
1. Jordan Lyons committed the offense of Criminal Abuse in the 1st Degree by knowingly, intentionally and unlawfully abusing a minor the age of twelve (12) or under, namely his son H.L., by causing serious physical injury in the form of bruising on the head and neck of twelve (12) year old family member as defined in KRS 500.080 (19).
2. Jordan Lyons committed the offense of Strangulation in the 1st Degree by knowingly, intentionally unlawfully and without consent impeding the normal breathing or circulation of blood of another, namely, H.L., by applying pressure on the neck of H.L.
3. Jordan Lyons committed the offense of Terroristic Threatening in the 3rd Degree by knowingly and unlawfully threatening to commit a crime likely to result in death or serious physical injury to another person, namely H.L.
Commonwealth of Kentucky vs. James Blair
The Grand Jury charges: that on or about August 29, 2024, in Lawrence County, Kentucky, and before the finding of the indictment herein, the above-named defendant:
1. James Blair committed the offense of Trafficking in a Controlled Substance in the 1st Degree by knowingly and unlawfully being in possession of Methamphetamine, with the intent to traffic in that Methamphetamine or by trafficking in that Methamphetamine.
