BY ROGER SMITH
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN

INEZ — A Martin County grand jury returned 10 indictments against eight individuals June 4. Charges range from sexual abuse and drug trafficking to burglary, bail jumping and flagrant nonsupport.

James Hubert Lee Presley, 42, of Inez, was indicted on a charge of flagrant nonsupport, a Class D felony. The grand jury charges that from March 1, 2014, through May 6, 2026, Presley, also known as Jimmy Lee Presley, failed to pay more than $22,713 in court-ordered child support to Leigh Ratliff. Bail was set at $5,000.

Jonathan R. Amburn, 33, of Stone, was indicted on a charge of flagrant nonsupport. The grand jury charges that from Dec. 1, 2016, through April 30, 2026, Amburn failed to pay more than $28,113 in court-ordered child support to Latoshia Hall. Bail was set at $5,000.

Eric Crum, 42, of Debord, was indicted on a charge of first-degree bail jumping, a Class D felony. The grand jury charges that Crum failed to appear May 21 for a pretrial conference after being released from custody on the condition that he appear in court. Bail was set at $5,000.

Ricky Gauze, 46, of Williamson, West Virginia, was indicted on a charge of first-degree bail jumping. The indictment states Gauze failed to appear May 7 for an initial report date after being released from custody on the condition that he appear in court. Bail was set at $5,000.

Gauze was indicted in a separate case on the same charge for failing to appear for an initial report on the same date in Martin Circuit Court. Bail was set at $5,000.

David Joshua Brown, 40, of Lovely, was indicted on charges of second-degree fleeing or evading police on foot, first-degree persistent felony offender, operating on a suspended or revoked license, resisting arrest and menacing.

The indictment states that Brown disregarded deputies’ signals to stop Jan. 1, 2025. The grand jury further alleges Brown operated a motor vehicle while his license was suspended or revoked, resisted arrest by using or threatening to use physical force against officers and placed others in reasonable apprehension of imminent physical injury.

The indictment states the instant charge occurred within five years of a prior felony conviction and sentence. Bail was set at $5,000.

In a separate case, the grand jury indicted Brown for receiving stolen property valued at $10,000 or more, a Class C felony, and as a first-degree persistent felony offender.

The indictment states that Brown received a stolen Kubota backhoe, trailer and tools March 10. The grand jury alleges the instant charge occurred within five years of a prior felony conviction and sentence.

Mike McCoy, 63, of Tomahawk, was indicted on a charge of first-degree sexual abuse. The grand jury charges that from Jan. 1, 2024, through April 7, 2024, McCoy subjected a minor under the age of 18 to sexual contact. Bail was set at $5,000.

Robert Meade, 74, of Inez, was indicted on charges of attempted first-degree burglary, a Class C felony, and third-degree terroristic threatening.

The grand jury alleges that on April 17 Meade attempted to enter the dwelling of Lois Delong with the intent to commit a crime.

The indictment states that Meade threatened to commit a crime that would likely result in death or serious physical injury to another person or substantial property damage. Bail was set at $10,000.

Tyler Harless, 28, of Tomahawk, was indicted on a charge of trafficking in marijuana over 8 ounces with a firearm enhancement.

The indictment states Harless had approximately 12 ounces of marijuana, $13,153 in cash, scales, 37 vaping devices and a vacuum packaging machine with multiple vacuum-seal baggies May 12 with the intent to traffick.

The grand jury also alleges Harless was in possession of a Rock Island brand .45 calibert handgun, two additional Rock Island brand handguns, a Sterling Arms .25 caliber handgun, a Glock brand .9mm handgun, a Bear Creek Arsenal brand firearm, a Hatsan Arms Co. brand 5.56mm rifle and a Hatsan Co. brand .12 gauge shotgun. Bail was set at $10,000.

An indictment is an accusation. All individuals are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.