BY ROGER SMITH
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN

INEZ — Rape, arson, auto theft and child abuse highlighted grand jury indictments Thursday in Martin County.

The grand jury indicted 13 individuals.

Austin T. Jackson, 26, of Warfield, faces two counts of second-degree rape and two counts of second-degree unlawful transaction with a minor. The grand jury accuses Jackson in two separate true bills.

According to the indictments, Jackson engaged in intercourse with two separate mentally incapacitated people and caused the minors to engage in the consumption of alcohol April 1. His bail is $10,000 in each case.

Three individuals are facing a charge of third-degree arson/complicity. The grand jury accuses Susan Cox, 56, of Inez, Jackie Haney, 28, of Debord, and Harold P. Moore, 61, of Debord, of burning a Nissan Rogue valued at $20,000 with the intent to destroy the vehicle and defraud creditors Jan. 3. The trio will answer their charges June 1 in Martin Circuit Court.

Marcus Thompson, 24, of Ulysses, faces a charge of theft by unlawful taking over $10,000. The indictment states that on Feb. 4, Thompson took a 2015 F250 Ford pickup truck valued at $21,000 from Callaham Funeral Home. His bail is $10,000.

Justin Fletcher, 33, of Tomahawk, faces charges of first-degree wanton endangerment, fourth-degree child abuse, first-degree fleeing or evading police on foot, public intoxication (excluding alcohol) and resisting arrest.

According to the indictment, Fletcher engaged in conduct Feb. 12 that created a substantial danger to his 4-year-old juvenile son and caused physical injury to his 17-year-old juvenile son. Also, the indictment states Fletcher disregarded orders to stop by Martin County Sheriff John Kirk and Deputy David Adams, was in a public place under the influence of controlled substances or other drugs, and attempted to prevent officers from effecting an arrest by using or threatening to use physical force against the officers. His bail is $5,000.

Derrick N. Brewer, 38, of Kermit, West Virginia, faces charges of first-degree stalking and violation of EPO/DVO. The grand jury accuses Brewer of making explicit and implicit threats to Ariel N. Carver with intent to place her in reasonable fear of serious physical injury Feb. 2 and Feb. 16 while a DVO/EPO was in effect. Brewer’s bail is $5,000.

Benjamin Blackburn, 31, of Long Bottom, Ohio, faces a charge of receiving stolen property over $10,000. The grand jury accuses Blackburn of receiving stolen electrical parts, heat pumps, and hydraulic hoses and parts Oct. 21, 2022. His bail is $10,000.

Gladys Maynard, 47, of Inez, stands accused of stealing $99,340 worth of water from the Martin County Water District during a 13-month period November 2021 to January 2023. She faces a charge of theft of services over $10,000. Maynard’s court date is June 1.

Tracy Johnson, 38, of Inez, faces a charge of first-degree possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine) and second-degree possession of a controlled substance (Suboxone). The indictment states Johnson had the drugs Feb. 10. His court date is June 1.

Ray Carter Jr., 52, of Beauty, faces a charge of flagrant non-support. According to the indictment, from Dec. 1, 2004, through Jan. 31, 2023, Carter failed to pay child support as court-ordered with a total amount over $40,633.40. His court date is June 1.

Brian Adkins, 27, of Fort Gay, West Virginia, faces charges of first-degree possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine), second-degree possession of a controlled substance (Suboxone), third-degree possession of a controlled substance, no registration plates, inadequate silencer (muffler), operating a motor vehicle on suspended or revoked license. According to the indictment, Adkins had methamphetamine, Suboxone and Xanax on Jan. 20. The grand jury accuses Adkins of operating a motor vehicle without proper registration plates, without a proper silencer, and on a suspended or revoked license. His bail is $5,000.

Brandon Kirk, 34, of Warfield, faces charges of first-degree possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine), second-degree possession of a controlled substance and public intoxication. The grand jury accuses Kirk of having methamphetamine and buprenorphine and being in a public place under the influence of a controlled substance Feb. 8. His court date is June 1.