BY ANNIE HOLLER
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN

PAINTSVILLE — A Johnson County grand jury returned 17 indictments June 17 on charges ranging from manslaughter and assault to drug trafficking, witness tampering, theft, forgery and drug possession.

Timothy Caleb Townsend, 27, of Stanton, was indicted on a charge of manslaughter in the second degree. The indictment states that on Feb. 21, 2025, Townsend distributed fentanyl or a fentanyl derivative to Keenan A. Powers causing the death of Powers. His bond was set at $100,000.

Logan Allen, 31, of Hager Hill, was indicted on charges of first-degree persistent felony offender in the second degree (enhancement), second-degree assault (domestic violence) and endangering the welfare of a minor.

The indictment alleges that Allen committed strangulation by applying pressure to the throat or mouth of another person. The grand jury states that Allen is a persistent felony offender as he completed a sentence on a previous felony within five years of the instant offense. The indictment states that Allen assaulted and caused serious injury to another person and that he endangered the welfare of a minor by being a parent or guardian who failed to exercise diligence in the control of such child to prevent the child from being neglected. Bail was set at $10,000.

Bobby Daniels, 58, of Pikeville, was indicted on charges of trafficking in a controlled substance in the first degree, greater than 2 grams (methamphetamine)–complicity, use/possession of drug paraphernalia–complicity, and careless driving.

The indictment states that Daniels, acting alone or in complicity with David Ward, was caught April 8 with 6.3 grams of methamphetamine and $156 in cash with the intent of trafficking the meth. The grand jury also alleges he had an altered pipe and operated a motor vehicle in a careless manner with no regard for the safety of pedestrians or other vehicles upon the roadway. Bail was set at $10,000.

David Ward, 56, of Langley, was indicted on charges of trafficking in a controlled substance in the first degree, greater than 2 grams of methamphetamine-complicity and use/possession of drug paraphernalia-complicity. The indictment states that Ward, acting alone or in complicity with Bobby Daniels, was caught April 8 with 6.3 grams of methamphetamine and $156 in cash with the intent of trafficking the meth. The grand jury also alleges he had an altered pipe. Bail was set at $10,000.

Joshua Moore, 28, of Inez, was indicted on charges of tampering with a witness and persistent felony offender, second degree. The indictment states that on March 26, Moore induced or attempted to induce Elizabeth Moore to absent herself or otherwise avoid appearing or testifying in an official proceeding or to make a false statement or practice fraud or deceit with intent to affect the testimony of the witness. The grand jury alleges that Moore’s instant charge occurred within five years of the completion of a sentence for a previous felony conviction. His bail was set at $5,000.

Benjamin Fredrick Porter, 51, of West Liberty, was indicted on charges of criminal possession of a forged instrument in the second degree and forgery in the second degree. The indictment states that on March 30, Porter notarized and recorded a legal document for Mrs. Carma Salyer, a resident of the Mountain Manor Nursing Home, in the Johnson County Clerk’s office. Bail was set at $5,000.

Mitchell Bowen, 38, of Paintsville, was indicted on a charge of theft by unlawful taking over $1,000 (shoplifting). The indictment states that from Feb. 21 through March 20, Bowen took two 24-volt drill/drivers valued at $298, an adjustable miter saw with attachments valued at $292.96, a tool backpack, a 120-piece drill bit set, a 100-piece drill bit set, a brushless rotary tool, a Dremel kit, a 12v Bluetooth speaker, a 12v Bluetooth radio, and a miter saw valued at $1,525.90, from Lowe’s of Paintsville. The total loss for all items was $2,116.86. Bail was set at $5,000.

Tiffany Butcher, 34, of Williamsport, was indicted on charges of promoting contraband in the first degree (fentanyl/carfentanil/fentanyl derivative) and promoting contraband in the first degree. The indictment alleges that Butcher introduced fentanyl, heroin and methamphetamine into the Big Sandy Regional Detention Center on Aug. 23, 2025. Bail was set at $5,000.

Jasmine Hale, 24, of Louisa, was indicted on charges of promoting contraband in the first degree (fentanyl) and being a persistent felony offender in the second degree. The indictment alleges that Hale introduced fentanyl into the Big Sandy Regional Detention Center on May 7. The grand jury alleges that Hale completed a sentence for a previous felony conviction within five years of the instant charge. Her bail was set at $5,000.

Timothy Gullett, 54, of West Liberty, was indicted on a charge of promoting contraband in the first degree. The indictment states that Gullett introduced buprenorphine into the Big Sandy Regional Detention Center on March 19. Bail was set at $5,000.

Keisha Robinson, 36, of Langley, was indicted on two counts of tampering with physical evidence. The indictment alleges that on March 20, Robinson removed, tampered with or concealed heroin and methamphetamine, evidence that she believed would be used against her in official proceedings. Bond was set at $5,000.

Nathan Slone, 40, of David, was indicted on charges of operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol/drugs, fourth offense or greater within 10 years and driving on a DUI-suspended license, first offense within 10 years (aggravating circumstances).

The grand jury alleges that Slone committed the offenses Feb. 11. His bail was set at $5,000.

Michael Jennings, 61, of Paintsville, was indicted on charges of possession of a controlled substance in the first degree (methamphetamine), use/possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of a controlled substance in the second degree. The indictment alleges that Jennings was caught March 26 with methamphetamine, three glass pipes, a set of digital scales and 13 dosage units of buprenorphine. Bail was set at $5,000.

Buffy Hunter, 39, of Paintsville, was indicted on charges of possession of a controlled substance in the first degree (methamphetamine), use/possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of marijuana and failure to illuminate headlamps. The indictment alleges that Hunter was caught March 19 with methamphetamine, a syringe with chemical residue and 10.30 grams of marijuana. It also states that she was operating a motor vehicle without properly using the headlamps. Bail was set at $5,000.

Mindy Joseph, 41, of Royalton, was indicted on charges of possession of a controlled substance in the first degree (methamphetamine), use/possession of drug paraphernalia and public intoxication (excluding alcohol). The indictment states that on April 29, Joseph was caught with methamphetamine and an altered pipe and was under the influence of controlled substances. Bail was set at $5,000.

Jeremy Lyons, 39, of Louisa, was indicted on charges of possession of a controlled substance in the first degree (methamphetamine), use/possession of drug paraphernalia, public intoxication (excluding alcohol) and expired operator’s license.

The grand jury alleges that April 15, Lyons was caught with methamphetamine, an altered straw and unused needles. The indictment also states that Lyons was under the influence of a controlled substance to the degree that he may endanger himself or other persons or property. Bail for Lyons was set at $5,000.

James McKenzie, 49, of Keaton, was indicted on charges of possession of a controlled substance in the first degree (methamphetamine), use/possession of drug paraphernalia and no lights on bicycle. The indictment states McKenzie was caught Nov. 4, 2024, with methamphetamine and a glass pipe and that he was on the roadway on a bicycle with no lights, reflectors or bells. His bail 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.