BY ANNIE HOLLER
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN

LOUISA — Fourteen people were indicted April 9 by the Lawrence County grand jury on charges that include major drug trafficking, assault, burglary, theft and incest.

Jimmy Castle, 48, of Paintsville, was indicted on one count of second-degree assault.

The charge stems from an alleged incident May 2, 2025. According to the indictment, Castle caused physical injury to Robert Parker by means of a deadly weapon or dangerous instrument. Bail was set at $10,000.

Brandon Fasnacht, 28, of Louisa, was indicted on charges of first-degree possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine), use/possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of marijuana.

The grand jury charges that Fasnacht was caught Feb. 27, 2025, with methamphetamine, multiple glass pipes, scales and marijuana. His bail was set at $5,000.

Amber Gilpin, 34, of Louisa, was indicted on multiple counts, including aggravated trafficking in a controlled substance in the first degree (more than 100 grams of heroin) — complicity; first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance (fentanyl) — complicity; first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance (more than 2 grams of methamphetamine) — complicity; first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance (more than 4 grams of cocaine) — complicity; first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance (more than 10 dosage units of hydrocodone) — complicity; and use/possession of drug paraphernalia.

According to the indictment, Gilpin, acting alone or in complicity with Rita Faye Napier, was caught Dec. 11, 2025, with 249.9 grams of heroin, 0.922 grams of fentanyl, 3.231 grams of methamphetamine, 21.664 grams of cocaine and 11 dosage units of hydrocodone tablets, along with digital scales, a transaction ledger and numerous items of drug paraphernalia. Her bail was set at $50,000.

Rita Faye Napier, 66, of Louisa, was indicted on multiple counts, including aggravated trafficking in a controlled substance in the first degree (more than 100 grams of heroin) — complicity; first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance (fentanyl) — complicity; first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance (more than 2 grams of methamphetamine) — complicity; first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance (more than 4 grams of cocaine) — complicity; first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance (more than 10 dosage units of hydrocodone) — complicity; and use/possession of drug paraphernalia.

According to the indictment, Napier, acting alone or in complicity with Amber Gilpin, was caught Dec. 11, 2025, with 249.9 grams of heroin, 0.922 grams of fentanyl, 3.231 grams of methamphetamine, 21.664 grams of cocaine and 11 dosage units of hydrocodone tablets, along with digital scales, a transaction ledger and numerous items of drug paraphernalia. Her bail was set at $50,000.

Jeremy Lyons, 38, of Adams, was indicted on charges of first-degree possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine), second-degree possession of a controlled substance (Suboxone) and disregarding a stop sign.

The indictment states that on Feb. 17, Lyons was in possession of methamphetamine and 10½ dosage units of buprenorphine (Suboxone), and that he failed to stop at a stop sign. His bail was set at $5,000.

Heather Mollett, 34, of Inez, was indicted on charges of first-degree possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine), third offense; use/possession of drug paraphernalia; disregarding a traffic control device; no registration plate; failure to wear a seat belt; no registration receipt; rear license not illuminated; and failure to have a license in possession.

The indictment states that Mollett was caught with methamphetamine Feb. 6 (after having two prior convictions, Martin Circuit Court 22-CR-00008 and Lawrence Circuit Court 22-CR-00026), a syringe and a grinder. It also states she failed to obey a traffic control device, failed to display a registration plate on a motor vehicle, operated a motor vehicle without a properly adjusted and fastened seat belt, failed to have possession of a registration receipt for the motor vehicle, operated a motor vehicle without an illuminated rear license plate and operated without having possession of an operator’s license. Mollett’s bail was set at $5,000.

Amber L. Mitchell, 39, of Louisa, was indicted on one count of theft by deception over $1,000, a Class D felony.

The grand jury charges that between Jan. 11 and March 1, Mitchell deprived and defrauded Food City of Louisa of $1,235.04 by issuing four checks while knowing the checks would not be honored by the drawee: one on Jan. 11 in the name of Amber Franks, one on Jan. 13, 2026, in the name of Amber Franks, one on Feb. 26 in the name of Christian Green and one on March 1 in the name of Christian Green. Her bail was set at $5,000.

Hunter Nauman, 24, of Flat Gap, was indicted on charges of first-degree possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine); use/possession of drug paraphernalia; possession of marijuana; operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol/drugs, first offense within 10 years; rear license not illuminated; reckless driving; and following another vehicle too closely.

The indictment states that Nauman was caught Dec. 10, 2025, with methamphetamine, marijuana, multiple glass pipes and scales. It also states he operated a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol/drugs, first offense within 10 years; without a properly illuminated rear license; recklessly, without due regard for the safety and convenience of pedestrians and other vehicles on the roadway; and too closely to another vehicle. His bail was set at $5,000.

Ricky New, 57, of Columbus, Ohio, was indicted on 10 separate charges, including theft of identity of another without consent; operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol/drugs, first offense within 10 years; possession of marijuana; possession of drug paraphernalia; giving an officer a false name; operating a motor vehicle on a suspended or revoked license; no operator’s license; license to be in possession; failure to dim headlights; and third-degree escape.

According to the indictment, New committed the offenses July 4, 2025. He allegedly used the former or current biometric and/or identifying information of Christopher Shawn Masters of Belmont, West Virginia, with the intent to represent himself as Masters to avoid detection by a Kentucky State Police trooper. The grand jury alleges that New operated a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or other substances that impair a driver’s ability to operate and refused to submit to a blood or breath test; that he was in possession of marijuana and two marijuana cigarettes; gave an officer a false name; operated a motor vehicle while his license was suspended or revoked; operated a motor vehicle without a license; failed to have possession of his operator’s license; failed to dim his headlights; and escaped the custody of Kentucky State Police Trooper John Holbrook. His bail was set at $5,000.

Melissa Perry, 56, of Dunlow, West Virginia, was indicted on one count of third-degree burglary.

The grand jury alleges that Perry entered and remained inside Walmart in Louisa on March 23 with the intent to commit theft after having been banned from the premises Aug. 27, 2024. Perry’s bail was set at $5,000.

Gary R. Preston, 81, of Ashland, was indicted on one felony count of first-degree incest.

The indictment charges that between July 1, 2010, and July 31, 2010, Preston engaged in deviate sexual intercourse with a juvenile younger than 18. His bail was set at $25,000.

Lois Richardson, 32, of Fort Gay, West Virginia, was indicted on six separate charges, including first-degree possession of a controlled substance (fentanyl); tampering with physical evidence; third-degree possession of a controlled substance; use/possession of drug paraphernalia; possession of marijuana; and prescription not in proper container.

The indictment states Richardson committed the offenses Jan. 12 when she was caught with fentanyl, alprazolam, plastic baggies and a marijuana grinder, marijuana, and alprazolam not in the proper container. It also states she tried to conceal physical evidence that she believed would be used against her in an official proceeding. Her bail was set at $5,000.

Cassandra Robertson, 56, of Louisa, was indicted on charges of first-degree possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine), use/possession of drug paraphernalia and public intoxication.

The grand jury alleges Robertson was caught with methamphetamine and multiple glass pipes Feb. 26. The indictment also states she was in a public place under the influence of a controlled substance or other intoxicating substance to a degree that she was a danger to herself or others. Bail was set at $5,000.

Karla M. Welch, 40, of Fort Gay, West Virginia, was indicted on two counts of third-degree burglary.

The indictment states Welch entered and remained in Walmart in Louisa on Feb. 8 and Feb. 28 with the intent to commit theft despite being banned from the property Jan. 20, 2020. Her bail was set at $5,000.

Editor’s note: An indictment is an accusation. All defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in a court of law.