Burglary, criminal mischief highlight Martin County grand jury indictments

BY ROGER SMITH
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN

INEZ — A Martin County grand jury returned indictments Thursday against six individuals for crimes ranging from burglary to criminal mischief.

Ersel Crum Jr., 54, of Inez, faces an indictment for second-degree burglary. The indictment alleges Crum illegally entered the dwelling of Betty Harris of Inez intending to commit a crime March 16. Crum’s bail is $10,000.

Jeremy Howell, 37, of Grethel, stands accused of receiving stolen property valued under $10,000 and first-degree persistent felony offender. On Dec. 29, 2022, Howell reportedly had two oxygen tanks and seven acetylene tanks stolen from Inez Power by Paul Meade Jr. The stolen tanks have a combined value of $3,329. Howell has two prior felony convictions. His bail is $5,000.

Jackie Blackburn, 58, of Lovely, faces a charge of first-degree criminal mischief. The indictment states Blackburn inflicted damage exceeding $1,000 on a gas pump at Zip Zone in Lovely on March 17.

Three individuals face charges of first-degree bail jumping.

James A. Muncy, 41, of Paintsville, stands accused of first-degree bail jumping. The indictment states Muncy failed to appear July 6 for arraignment on a felony. His bail is $5,000.

Christopher Ratliff, 43, of Louisa, faces a charge of first-degree bail jumping. The grand jury accuses Ratliff of not appearing for sentencing July 6 for a felony.

Christopher Marcum, 48, of Inez, faces two counts of first-degree bail jumping. Two separate indictments state Marcum failed to appear July 6 for sentencing on felony charges. The bail for each of Marcum’s indictments is $5,000.

The above is a list of individuals indicted and their charges. All are presumed innocent until proven guilty.


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