BY ANNIE HOLLER
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN
PAINTSVILLE — The Johnson County grand jury convened for the first time in the new year Jan. 16 and returned 18 indictments, including two cases of sexual abuse of a minor, an assault on a healthcare worker and numerous drug-related cases.
Aaron Jones, 41, has been indicted on felony charges of sexual abuse, 1st degree, of a victim less than 12 years of age and promoting sexual performance by a minor with a victim less than 16 years of age. KSP Detective Matt Smith was the arresting officer in the July 23, 2023, case and testified before the grand jury about his findings. Bail was set at $10,000.
Joseph Mollett, 26, of Morehead, was indicted on a single charge of sexual abuse, 1st degree with a victim less than 12 years of age. KSP Detective Joshua Scott testified in the case stemming from an alleged incident that occurred June 4, 2022, in Johnson County. Bail was set at $10,000.
Christina Betzner, 35, of Louisa, was indicted on charges stemming from an incident that occurred Oct. 10, 2025, that led to her arrest. Betzner was indicted for assault of an officer, 3rd degree (Deputy David Adams); fleeing/evading on foot, 3rd degree; resisting arrest; disorderly conduct in the 2nd degree; terroristic threatening, 3rd degree; and public intoxication (excluding alcohol). Johnson County Deputy Adams presented evidence in the case. The defendant’s bail was set at $5,000.
Christopher R. Stewart, 31, of Thealka, stands indicted on a single felony charge of assault, 2nd degree (domestic violence). According to information in the complaint, Stewart is accused of assaulting and causing serious injury to Gary Castle Feb. 24, 2025. KSP Trooper William T. Hall was the complaining officer. Stewart’s bail was set at $10,000.
Charles A. Hammond, age unknown, of Paintsville, has been indicted for bail jumping, 1st degree (felony). The charge states the defendant failed to appear in circuit court for a pre-trial conference Nov. 14, 2025. Sheriff Scott Hazlette was the complaining officer. Stewart’s bail was set at $5,000.
Ronnie Mollett, 51, of Boonecamp, stands indicted on a Class C felony charge of assault, 2nd degree. The defendant allegedly caused serious bodily injury to another person, namely Paula Wells of Tomahawk, on Dec. 5, 2025. KSP Trooper Timothy Fletcher was the arresting officer and testified before the grand jury. Mollett’s bail was set at $10,000.
Shane Rowland, 44, of Wittensville, was indicted on two counts of felony wanton endangerment, 1st degree. According to testimony provided by Paintsville Police Dept. Officer Bill Ramey, on Oct. 9, 2025, the defendant engaged in conduct that created substantial danger of death or serious physical injury to Tara Rowland. Bail was set at $5,000.
Shasta Daniels, 31, address unknown, was indicted on two felony counts of trafficking a controlled substance within 1000 feet of a school; two counts of unlawful transaction in the 2nd degree; and two misdemeanor counts of unlawful transaction in the third. According to information presented, Daniels is accused of being in possession of and trafficking a controlled substance (marijuana) within 1000 yards of a school (Bright Beginnings Day Care Center) between the dates of July 25 and Nov. 5, 2025. The defendant is said to have also allegedly knowingly and unlawfully induced, assisted or caused a minor to engage in illegal activity involving marijuana, and of purchasing or procuring alcoholic beverages for a minor. Paintsville Police Officer Justin Jackson was the complaining officer. Bail was set at $10,000.
Joshua James, 41, of Salyersville, was indicted on multiple charges including fleeing/evading on foot, 3rd degree; theft by unlawful taking (under $1,000); resisting arrest; disorderly conduct, 2nd degree; and public intoxication (excluding alcohol). The complaint states that Oct. 4, 2025, James disregarded signals and commands made by officers Justin Jackson and Sebastian Shepherd of the Paintsville Police Department and attempted to flee and evade arrest. The chase ensued after the defendant allegedly stole a backpack belonging to Susan Zhang. The arresting officers provided testimony in the case. James’ bail was set at $5,000.
Robert Stanford, 59, of Wittensville, has been indicted in two separate cases that include numerous felony and misdemeanor charges stemming from his arrest Aug. 17, 2025. Charges include possession of a controlled substance, 1st degree (methamphetamine); operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol/drugs, 1st offense within 10 years; possession of a defaced firearm; possession of marijuana; failure to maintain required insurance; no registration plates; and possession of a handgun by a convicted felon. Testimony was provided by Paintsville Police Officer Issac Owens, who made the arrest. Bail in the amount of $10,000 and $5,000 was set for the two respective cases.
Cheyanna L. Butcher, 26, of Thelma, stands indicted on charges of possession of controlled substance, 1st degree (methamphetamine), and failure of non-owner to maintain required insurance. Information provided by complaining witness Officer Isaac Owens states the defendant committed the offense of operating a vehicle while under the influence of and in possession of a controlled substance, identified as methamphetamine. The defendant also failed to maintain required insurance on the vehicle she was operating. Bail was set at $5,000.
Douglas Baker, age unknown, from Lowansville, has been indicted on charges of trafficking in a controlled substance, 1st degree (heroin) with firearm enhancement; trafficking in a controlled substance, 1st degree (fentanyl) with firearm enhancement; trafficking in a controlled substance, 1st degree (methamphetamine) with firearm enhancement; trafficking in a controlled substance, 1st degree opiates (hydrocodone less than 10 units) with firearm enhancement; possession of drug paraphernalia; rear license not illuminated; no/expired plates; operating motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol/drugs, 1st offense within 10 years. According to investigating Officer Isaac Owens of the Paintsville Police Dept., Douglas Baker was arrested while driving under the influence of alcohol/drugs while in possession of several types of controlled substances including heroin, fentanyl, methamphetamine, hydrocodone and drug paraphernalia. At the time of the arrest, the defendant was in possession of a loaded 12-gauge shotgun. Bail was set at $25,000.
Robert Combs, 63, of Wittensville, was indicted on charges of fleeing/evading, 1st degree; operating motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol/drugs, 1st offense within 10 years; wanton endangerment in the 1st degree; no/improper registration; failure to or improper signal; license to be in possession; and resisting arrest. Isaac Owens, the arresting officer, testified in this case to the jurors. Bail was set at $10,000.
Cody Lee Castle, 25, of Paintsville, stands indicted on a single charge of fleeing/evading in a motor vehicle, 2nd degree, stemming from an arrest Dec. 2, 2025, conducted by Officer Isaac Owens. Bail was set for $5,000.
Wesley Howard, 25, of Salyersville, was indicted on charges of felony assault, 3rd degree, of a health-care worker; and disorderly conduct, 2nd degree. Officer Isaac Owens presented evidence in the case that occurred Dec. 6, 2025 at the Paul B. Hall Medical Center in Paintsville. The defendant is accused of assaulting and unlawfully causing or attempting to cause physical injury to Nick Seargant, a nurse at the facility. He further engaged in violent or threatening behavior in a public place. Bail was set at $5,000.
Cody Reynolds, 25, of Paintsville, was indicted for flagrant non-support for failing to pay court-ordered child support to Amanda Fairchild with a total amount of arrears exceeding $18,983.96. Bail was set at $5,000.
Brandon Wilson, 36, of Haywood, West Virginia, was indicted for flagrant non-support for failing to pay court-ordered child support to Autumn Wilson, with total arrears exceeding $26,935.47. Bail was set at $5,000.
Gary Johnson, 46, of Boonescamp, stands indicted on a charge of flagrant non-support for failing to pay court-ordered child support from 03-01-2005 through Dec. 31, 2025, to Rose Wagoner, with a total arrearage exceeding $30,937.83. Bail was set at $5,000.
(Editor’s Note: An indictment is merely an accusation and the defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty by a court of law.)