BY ANNIE HOLLER
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN
PAINTSVILLE — A West Virginia man accused of smuggling methamphetamine into the Big Sandy Regional Detention Center and a Johnson County pay lake operator facing numerous wildlife and licensing violations were among those indicted by the Johnson County grand jury during its May 15 session.
Cecil Diamond, 45, of Williamson, West Virginia, stands indicted on charges of promoting contraband in the first degree (methamphetamine) and trafficking in a controlled substance in the first degree (less than 2 grams of methamphetamine). The indictment states that Diamond attempted to smuggle methamphetamine into the Big Sandy Regional Detention Center on Jan. 1 with the intent of trafficking approximately 0.270 grams. Bail was set at $10,000.
Diane Howard, 56, of Flat Gap, was indicted on one felony, 12 misdemeanor counts and six additional violations. The indictment states that from January 2021 through December 2025, Howard committed theft by deception over $1,000 by having inspections conducted by the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife and not purchasing a public pay lake license, with the intent to deprive KDFW of $3,600 in unpaid license fees.
The grand jury also alleges Howard committed live bait dealer without a license by purchasing live goldfish for resale without possessing a live fish and bait dealer license.
The indictment charges that from Sept. 12, 2022, through Sept. 12, 2025, Howard committed 10 counts of pay lake violations by not retaining receipts for three years documenting poundage and quantity of fish, the source of fish, the waterbody of origin if taken from public waters, the transporter and separate receipts for trophy catfish.
The grand jury charges that Howard committed pay lake violations Sept. 12, 2025, by failing to have required signage displayed indicating the source of stocked fish and any relevant consumption advisories.
The indictment charges Howard with one count of resident commercial license violation by operating Dad’s Pay Lake without a public pay lake license Sept. 12, 2025.
The grand jury charges that from April 3, 2025, through Aug. 8, 2025, Howard committed five counts of buy/sell/transport protected wildlife mussels/fish/raw fur, first offense, by illegally stocking blue catfish, flathead catfish and channel catfish without proper licenses.
A summons was issued for Howard to appear June 26 at 9 a.m. in Johnson Circuit Court.
James Blevins, 33, of Paintsville, stands indicted for theft by unlawful taking over $1,000 (shoplifting). The indictment states that between March 24 and April 4, Blevins took tools, home furnishings, hardware and camping equipment from Walmart of Paintsville valued at approximately $1,495.05. Bail in this case was set at $5,000.
Michael Cooper, 64, of Nippa, was indicted on charges of operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol/drugs, fourth offense or greater within 10 years; driving on a DUI-suspended license, second offense within 10 years (aggravating circumstances); and speeding 18 miles over the speed limit. The indictment states that Cooper operated a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs Jan. 22, with three prior convictions for the same offense within 10 years. It also alleges that he did so with a previous conviction of driving on a DUI-suspended license and that he drove 73 mph in a 55 mph zone. Bail was set at $5,000.
Logan Ross, 20, of Blackey, stands indicted on charges of possession of a controlled substance in the first degree (methamphetamine), possession of marijuana and use/possession of drug paraphernalia. The indictment states that Ross was caught March 29 with meth, marijuana and an altered pipe. Bail was set at $5,000.
Gary Gamble Jr., 47, of Paintsville, has been indicted on charges of first-degree bail jumping and persistent felony offender in the first degree (with enhancement). The grand jury charges that Gamble failed to appear March 27 for a pretrial conference after being released from custody on the condition that he would appear. The indictment also states that Gamble was convicted of two prior felonies and released after being sentenced to terms of more than a year within five years of the instant offense. Bail was set at $5,000.
In a separate indictment, Gamble faces the same two charges for allegedly failing to appear for sentencing on March 27 and having prior felony convictions. Bail was set at $5,000 for that indictment.
Clinton Castle, 44, of Paintsville, has been indicted on a count of first-degree bail jumping. The grand jury alleges that Castle failed to appear for sentencing April 10 after being released from custody on the condition that he would appear. Bail was set at $5,000.
Timothy Howard, 23, of Salyersville, stands indicted on first-degree bail jumping. The indictment states that Howard failed to appear for a pretrial conference March 27 after being released from custody on the condition that he would appear. Bail was set at $5,000.
Darrell Marcum, 32, of Louisa, has been indicted on a first-degree bail-jumping charge. The grand jury charges that Marcum failed to appear April 10 for a pretrial conference after being released from custody on the condition that he would appear. Bail was set at $5,000.
Daniel Ritchie, 47, of Nippa, was indicted on a charge of first-degree bail jumping. The indictment states that Ritchie failed to appear for a pretrial conference March 27 after being released from custody on the condition that he would appear. Bail was set at $5,000.
Shyla Selvage, 31, of Paintsville, has been indicted on a charge of first-degree bail jumping. The grand jury alleges that Selvage failed to appear for arraignment March 27 after being released from custody on the condition that she would appear. Bond was set at $5,000.
(Editor’s Note: An indictment is an accusation. All individuals are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.)