BY ANNIE HOLLER
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN
MATEWAN, W.Va. — A Lawrence County woman was arrested July 28 on warrants stemming from three separate incidents in Mingo County, including one in which she allegedly struck and killed a dog with her vehicle.
Courtney Jo Cooper, 21, of Louisa, faces two felony charges and several misdemeanor charges arising from incidents reported July 6, July 7 and July 24.
According to the first criminal complaint filed in Mingo County Magistrate Court, Cpl. M.A. Lendearo and Deputy Jacob May of the Mingo County Sheriff’s Department responded July 6 to a residence on Church Street in Matewan after a 911 caller reported an altercation involving a firearm.
Amanda Bryant, who lives at the residence, reportedly told officers that Payton Evans was visiting her when Cooper, his former girlfriend, arrived and entered the home without permission.
Cooper allegedly began yelling at those inside before leaving the residence and repeatedly striking Evans’ pickup truck with a glass alcohol bottle, damaging the vehicle.
Witnesses told investigators that Cooper then drove down Church Street, where Dexter Varney was walking his dog. Varney alleged that Cooper steered her vehicle toward him, narrowly missing him but striking and seriously injuring the dog. The animal later died from its injuries.
Cooper allegedly turned her vehicle around and drove toward Varney a second time, causing him to fear for his life. He picked up a brick and prepared to throw it at the vehicle, according to the complaint.
Cooper responded by drawing a handgun, pointing it toward Varney and fleeing the scene, police said.
A second warrant stemmed from a July 7 crash at an apartment building on Willow Street in West Williamson.
Patrolman R.A. Moore spoke with tenant Tiffany Hall, who said Cooper had arrived at Evans’ apartment to retrieve her belongings and was driving a late-model Nissan Altima.
As Cooper attempted to drive behind the building and pass between two parked vehicles, she allegedly struck a white van and Hall’s silver Toyota Corolla.
The van’s owner declined to pursue charges because the damage was minimal. Hall reported substantial damage to her vehicle and elected to press charges.
The third incident happened July 24 at an apartment in Williamson Towers in East Williamson.
Kaydence Hall told West Virginia State Police Senior Trooper C.K. Johnson that she and Cooper were spending time together when an argument began. Hall alleged that Cooper “jumped” and assaulted her.
Cooper also allegedly struck a parked vehicle while leaving the scene.
Johnson charged her with one count of battery in connection with the incident.
Law enforcement officers spotted Cooper in Williamson on July 28. Cpl. E. Williams of the Mingo County Sheriff’s Department took her into custody.
Charges in the three cases include cruelty to animals causing death, wanton endangerment involving a firearm, reckless driving, assault, destruction of property, striking an unattended vehicle and battery.
Cooper remains in the Southwestern Regional Jail in Holden under bonds totaling $7,000.