BY ROGER SMITH
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN

INEZ — The Martin Circuit Court has formally charged a Debord man under Kentucky’s Rocket Docket program in connection with the theft of water services, a Class D felony.

The Commonwealth Attorney’s Office charged John Allen, 39, with theft of services valued between $1,000 and $10,000. Court records allege the offense occurred on or before Feb. 21, 2023.

According to the criminal information, Allen obtained water services in Martin County by deception, threat, false token or other means to avoid payment.

Court records show Alliance Water Resources initiated the case April 17, 2025. In the criminal complaint, local manager Tyler Hall stated that Allen’s water service was disconnected Oct. 5, 2021, for nonpayment. On Jan. 4, 2023, the water meter was pulled and locked out. When staff checked the meter box Feb. 21, 2023, they discovered a theft device, the complaint states.

The estimated cost of labor and stolen water totaled approximately $1,505.94, according to the filing.

Kentucky’s “Rocket Docket” is a grant-funded court initiative, primarily for non-violent drug offenses, that expedites cases to get offenders into substance abuse treatment more quickly.

Water theft becomes a “rocket docket” case in Kentucky when it falls under the umbrella of crimes expedited for speedy resolution, often linked to drugs or property crimes, allowing faster entry into substance abuse treatment, saving jail costs and resolving cases quickly. However, theft of water itself is a property crime (theft by unlawful taking or deception) with value determining the charge (misdemeanor/felony).

Editor’s note: A charge is an accusation. An individual is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.