BY ROGER SMITH
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN

INEZ — A Martin County grand jury handed down indictments Thursday against six individuals in cases ranging from fentanyl trafficking to promoting prison contraband.

John Pack, 39, of Kermit, West Virginia, is facing multiple drug trafficking charges, including importing fentanyl/carfentanil, trafficking in the first degree (fentanyl), trafficking in a controlled substance in the first degree (more than 4 grams of cocaine), trafficking in marijuana less than 8 ounces and use/possession of drug paraphernalia.

According to the indictment, Pack transported fentanyl into Kentucky on March 6. Authorities allege he was in possession of .967 grams of fentanyl, 18.302 grams of cocaine, less than 8 ounces of marijuana, $235 in cash, plastic baggies, a digital scale and a syringe—all with the intent to traffic the drugs. His bond is $25,000.

Barbara Jean Gordon, 45, of Debord, faces charges of possession of a controlled substance in the first degree (fentanyl) and first degree (methamphetamine). The charges stem from her arrest May 4 when she allegedly had both substances in her possession. Her bond is $5,000.

Dennis Swisher, 71, of Warfield, is facing trafficking in a controlled substance in the first degree (less than 10 dosage units of opioids), trafficking in a controlled substance in the third degree (gabapentin under 20 dosage units) and trafficking in marijuana less than 8 ounces.

According to the grand jury, Swisher was in possession of seven dosage units of hydrocodone, 13 dosage units of gabapentin, less than 8 ounces of marijuana and $12,963 in cash at the time of his April 16 arrest.

Swisher also faces a separate indictment for possession of a handgun by a convicted felon. The grand jury states he had a Hi Point .22-caliber pistol in his possession on the same date. Bond in each case is $5,000.

Kandy Leigh Wagner, 41, of Baltimore, stands accused of promoting contraband in the first degree. The grand jury accuses her of introducing dangerous contraband into the United States Penitentiary Big Sandy on May 4.

Federal prison officials reported that Wagner attempted to smuggle balloons filled with concentrated marijuana, known as “wax weed,” to an inmate during visitation. Surveillance video allegedly showed Wagner handing two handfuls of balloons to inmate Dell Dingle. Dingle later admitted to swallowing four of them. Officials transported him to a hospital, saying if medical personnel could not retrieve the balloons, Dingle would be put into a dry cell until the contraband passed naturally. Wagner’s bond is $5,000.

Shakaree D. Carter, 35, of Lexington, is facing three charges: unlawful transaction with a minor in the first degree, promoting contraband in the first degree and possession of marijuana. The indictment alleges that on April 19, Carter induced or assisted a minor under 16 years old to engage in illegal controlled substances other than marijuana.

She also stands accused of promoting contraband by possessing 15 dosage units of Suboxone and marijuana. Her bond is $5,000.

Brian Howell, 45, of Inez, is facing charges of possession of a controlled substance in the first degree (methamphetamine), possession of a controlled substance in the third degree, possession of marijuana and use/possession of drug paraphernalia. The indictment states he was in possession of methamphetamine, four Klonopin tablets, marijuana and a syringe at the time of his arrest April 27. His bond is $5,000.