BY ROGER SMITH
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN
INEZ — A Martin County grand jury handed up indictments Thursday against nine individuals. Their charges range from witness intimidation to wanton endangerment of children, drug possession and fleeing police. The cases involve allegations of violence, threats and reckless conduct.
Dennis Scott, 46, of Pilgrim, stands accused of wanton endangerment in the second degree and terroristic threatening in the third degree.
According to the indictment, Scott engaged in behavior that created a substantial risk of injury to a juvenile child April 7. The indictment also accuses him of threatening to murder or assault an individual identified as Liz Thompson. His bond is $5,000.
Joe Allen Evans, 51, of Inez, faces a charge of intimidating a participant in the legal process.
The indictment alleges that on Feb. 27, Evans attempted to influence or alter the potential testimony or opinion of a witness involved in a legal proceeding in which he was the defendant in Martin Circuit Court. His bond is $10,000.
Dotty Fletcher, 59, of Inez, faces a charge of wanton endangerment in the first degree.
The indictment states that on Nov. 15, 2024, Fletcher engaged in conduct that created a substantial risk of serious physical injury to a juvenile child. Her bond is $5,000.
Ronald Joseph Wrightsel, 77, of Tomahawk, stands accused of possession of a handgun by a convicted felon. According to the indictment, police caught Wrightsel with a Harrington & Richardson .22 caliber/magnum revolver Dec. 12, 2024, despite his multiple prior felony convictions in the State of Ohio. His bond is $5,000.
David Joshua Brown, 39, of Lovely, faces charges of fleeing or evading police in the second degree (on foot), operating on a suspended or revoked license, resisting arrest and menacing.
According to the indictment, Brown ignored commands from Martin County deputies J.C. Kirk and Cecil Diamond and attempted to flee on foot Jan. 1.
The indictment also accuses Brown of using or threatening to use physical force against the officers and placing others in reasonable fear of imminent physical injury. It further states that Brown was operating a vehicle despite knowing that his license was suspended. His bond is $5,000.
Curtis Bowen, 47, of Lovely, stands accused of fleeing or evading police in the second degree, operating on a suspended or revoked license, failure of owner to maintain required insurance, no expired registration and reckless driving.
According to the indictment, Bowen disregarded signals from Martin County Deputy J.C. Kirk and tried to flee Feb. 1. The grand jury also alleges Bowen operated a vehicle without valid registration or insurance and drove in a manner that endangered pedestrians and other drivers. His license was also revoked at the time, the indictment states. Bowen’s bond is $5,000.
Michael D. Mills, 27, of Lovely, is facing multiple charges. Those include second-degree fleeing or evading police (motor vehicle), first-degree possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine), tampering with physical evidence, failure of non-owner to maintain required insurance and reckless driving.
According to the indictment, Mills ignored signals from Martin County Sheriff’s Deputy J.C. Kirk in an attempt to avoid arrest Feb. 11. During the incident, he allegedly possessed methamphetamine and took steps to destroy, alter or hide evidence he believed could be used against him.
The grand jury further alleges that Mills drove recklessly, endangering others on the road, and did so without maintaining proper insurance coverage. His bond is $5,000.
Dustin Stacy, 33, of Tomahawk, faces a single charge of possession of a controlled substance in the first degree (methamphetamine).
The indictment states that Stacy was caught with methamphetamine Feb. 6. His bond is $5,000.
Joseph Christopher Jude, 43, of Lovely, faces multiple charges: fleeing or evading police in the third degree, criminal mischief in the second degree, use/ possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of marijuana, resisting arrest and public intoxication (excluding alcohol).
The indictment alleges that on Feb. 4, Jude ignored signals from Martin County Sheriff John Kirk to stop, attempting to flee arrest. During the incident, he reportedly caused damage to property owned by the Martin County Housing Authority.
According to the indictment, Jude was in possession of two glass pipes and marijuana and appeared to be under the influence of a controlled substance to a degree that could endanger himself or others or cause unreasonable disturbance. The grand jury also accuses him of using or threatening physical force against law enforcement officers during the encounter. His bond is $5,000.
Editor’s note: An indictment is an accusation and not an indication or evidence of guilt. All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.