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Tomahawk man sentenced to nearly nine years in federal fentanyl case
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN HUNTINGTON, W.Va. — A Tomahawk, Kentucky, man was sentenced March 2 to nearly nine years in federal prison for trafficking fentanyl. Kody D. Harless, 28, received a sentence of eight years and 10 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release after pleading guilty to possession with intent
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Federal inmate charged in killing at USP Big Sandy
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN A federal inmate serving time at the United States Penitentiary Big Sandy is facing a murder charge in the October 2024 killing of another prisoner. A grand jury in Ashland returned an indictment Feb. 26 charging Daviian Dwane Roberts, 35, of Midland, Texas, with the Oct. 15, 2024, killing of
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Magoffin County grand jury indicts three
BY ANNIE HOLLER MOUNTAIN CITIZEN SALYERSVILLE — The Magoffin County grand jury returned indictments against three individuals Feb. 25. Charges include theft by deception and multiple drug-related offenses. Mary Collinsworth, 48, of Coon Creek in Salyersville, stands indicted on charges of aggravated trafficking in a controlled substance – greater than or equal to 28 grams
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Williamson man faces felony meth charge in Kentucky
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — A Mingo County man is facing a felony drug charge after the Martin Circuit Court filed a case against him Feb. 27 under Kentucky’s Rocket Docket program. David L. Williamson, 64, of Williamson, West Virginia, stands accused of possession of a controlled substance in the first degree, first
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Pike County grand jury indicts 28
BY ANNIE HOLLER MOUNTAIN CITIZEN PIKEVILLE — The Pike County grand jury returned 28 indictments Feb. 10, including 26 felonies, with most cases stemming from drug-related arrests. Charges range from possession and trafficking to fleeing police, assault and persistent felony offender counts. Those indicted are listed below. Erica R. Bartley, 45, of Elkhorn City: First-degree
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Tennessee man to pay nearly $10K for hunting violations in Martin County
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — A Tennessee man will pay nearly $10,000 in fines, court costs and restitution after pleading guilty Feb. 2 in Martin Circuit Court to five hunting-related offenses in Martin County last fall. Court records show Tanner Smelcer, 24, of Beas Lane Hollow Road in Sevierville, Tennessee, pleaded guilty to
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Martin County court dockets
INEZ — Judge John Kevin Holbrook heard cases Feb. 5 in Martin Circuit Court, while Judge Brett Butcher heard cases Feb. 3 in Martin District Court. Circuit Court Henry Butcher (change of plea) — Trafficking in controlled substance, first offense (carfentanil or fentanyl derivatives): Pleaded guilty, six years, defendant shall forfeit any monies/firearms/vehicles seized as
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Martin County grand jury returns indictments
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — A Martin County grand jury returned several indictments Feb. 5, including felony charges involving child abuse, property damage and bail jumping. Kevin Michael Litton, 27, of Tomahawk, stands accused of first-degree criminal abuse involving a victim under 12 years of age. The indictment alleges that on April 19,
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Mingo grand jury returns 47 indictments; former teacher charged in child sex abuse case
BY ANNIE HOLLER MOUNTAIN CITIZEN WILLIAMSON, W.Va. — The Mingo County grand jury returned 47 indictments during its first session of 2026, including charges against a former Mingo Central High School teacher and coach accused of sexual contact with an underage student. The indictments span a wide range of alleged offenses, from drug trafficking and
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Mingo County Arrest Report week of Jan. 18
CITIZEN STAFF REPORT WILLIAMSON, W.Va. — The Mingo County Magistrate Court reported these recent arrests by various law enforcement agencies. Cary Hatfield, 75, of Williamson, was charged with public intoxication, indecent exposure and destruction of property. The incident took place at Williamson Terrace Apartments on Vinson Street. West Virginia State Police Trooper J.L. Marcum arrested Hatfield. Arlene
