BY ROGER SMITH
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN
INEZ — Strangulation, assault, theft and drug offenses highlight the numerous indictments handed down July 6 by a Martin County grand jury.
Robert Williamson, 64, of Tomahawk, was indicted for second-degree strangulation and fourth-degree assault (minor injury). The indictment alleges that on two separate occasions — April 7, 2023 and Aug. 28, 2022 — Williamson strangled a female, impeding her normal breathing. It is also alleges that Williamson physically assaulted a juvenile on the same dates.
Two Inez residents, Ray Collins, 66, and Justin Mollette, 33, were indicted for theft by unlawful taking of over $10,000 but less than $100,000, in complicity with each other. They are accused of stealing aerial phone cables owned and maintained by AT&T Dec. 27, 2022. Collins was also indicted for first-degree persistent felony offender, having previously been convicted of two felonies within five years.
Two Tomahawk men, Marlon Mollette, 35, and Kevin G. Fairchild, 44, were indicted for selling or receiving a vehicle with a removed or altered identification number and receiving stolen property over $10,000, acting in complicity with each other March 24. The duo is accused of illegally possessing a stolen 2019 General Motors Savana model box truck from Uhaul of Madison, Tennessee, with the original manufacturer’s vehicle identification number removed or defaced. The truck is valued at approximately $27,000. Fairchild was also indicted for first-degree persistent felony offender, having previously been convicted of two felonies within five years.
Robert Dillon, 43, of Kermit, West Virginia, was indicted for first-degree possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine), fourth-degree assault, possession of marijuana, and possession/use of drug paraphernalia. Dillon was allegedly found with methamphetamine, marijuana, and two altered glass pipes April 8. He is also accused of physically assaulting a female on the same date.
Allen Keith Brewer, 45, of Kermit, West Virginia, was indicted for theft by unlawful taking over $1,000. The indictment states that Brewer stole a 2007 GMC Envoy owned by Ariel Carver worth $5,700 Aug. 31, 2022.
Robert Moore, 36, of Debord, and Kristi Fletcher, 33, of Inez, were indicted on numerous charges, including first-degree trafficking (fentanyl)/complicity, first-degree trafficking over 2 grams (methamphetamine)/complicity, second-degree persistent felony offender, third-degree possession of a controlled substance/complicity, all in complicity with each other. The indictment alleges they were found with 2.3 grams of fentanyl, 2.25 grams of methamphetamine, $158 cash, $130 cash, digital scales, and five Diazepam pills May 20. Both had previously been convicted of felony offenses within five years. Moore was also charged with rear license not illuminated, inadequate silencer, and operating a motor vehicle on a suspended or revoked license.
Lawrence Ratcliff Jr., 37, of Crum, West Virginia, and Haskell Orsbon, 46, of Kermit, West Virginia, were indicted for first-degree trafficking of methamphetamine over 2 grams, with firearm enhancement. The indictment states they were in possession of 113 grams (4 ounces) of methamphetamine packaged in three separate plastic baggies, digital scales, an altered pipe, and a Taurus brand 9mm handgun June 9. Orsbon was also charged with possession of a handgun by a convicted felon.
Christopher G. Maynard, 46, of Pilgrim, was indicted for first-degree possession of methamphetamine. The indictment states he committed the crime May 5.
Derrick N. Brewer, 38, of Kermit, West Virginia, was indicted for first-degree bail jumping for failing to appear for a pretrial hearing June 15.
Ricky Gauze, 44, of Williamson, West Virginia, was indicted for first-degree bail jumping for failing to appear for a pretrial hearing June 1.
Phillip Horn, 61, of Warfield, was indicted for first-degree possession of methamphetamine and possession of marijuana. The grand jury accuses Horn of committing the offenses March 16.
Zachary Delong, 27, of Debord, was indicted for first-degree possession of methamphetamine. The indictment states Delong was found with methamphetamine June 4, 2022.
Brianna Ellis, 19, of Tomahawk, and Kody Harless, 24, also of Tomahawk, were indicted for first-degree possession of a controlled substance (fentanyl)/complicity and first-degree possession of a controlled substance (heroin)/complicity, all in complicity with each other April 4. Harless was also indicted for prescription controlled substance not in proper container for allegedly having two naloxone strips not in the original container.
In a separate indictment, the grand jury charges Ellis with first-degree possession of a controlled substance (fentanyl), first-degree possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine) and possession of marijuana. The indictment states Ellis committed the offenses June 3.
Lastly, John A. Spears, 88, of Lovely, was indicted for first-degree wanton endangerment for allegedly creating a substantial danger to Deputy Jonathan Holbrook of the Martin County Sheriff’s Department June 10.
As these are indictments, they are formal accusations and not proof of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.