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Grand jury indicts six in Martin County
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — A Martin County grand jury handed up indictments Thursday against six individuals. Criminal charges range from assault to bail jumping. Joe Allen Evans, 51, of Inez, was indicted on charges of second-degree assault (domestic violence) and first-degree persistent felony offender enhancement. Prosecutors allege that on Nov. 25, 2024,
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Judge issues burglary and drug charges against two men
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — Martin Circuit Judge J. Kevin Holbrook has formally charged two men in separate criminal cases, setting the stage for their upcoming court appearances. Joshua Lee Mills, 43, of Tomahawk, faces a third-degree burglary charge. Prosecutors say he broke into a home in Tomahawk on Jan. 14 with intent
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A chase, a brick wall, a trip to jail
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN WARFIELD — A routine morning in Warfield took a chaotic turn Tuesday when a Lovely man, known for his habit of running from law enforcement, was arrested after a bizarre incident at the Dempsey Apartment Complex. Martin County Sheriff John Kirk found Joseph Christopher Jude, 43, passed out in a
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Woman arrested for electricity theft
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN LOVELY — A woman was arrested Thursday after authorities say she illegally reconnected her home to the power grid. Mary Ayers, 46, of Lovely, was on Bluejay Lane on charges of theft of services and resisting arrest, Martin County Sheriff John Kirk said. According to the sheriff, Ayers had illegally
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Martin County Arrest Report
INEZ — Martin County Sheriff John Kirk’s Office reported the following arrests: Jordan Maynard, 27, of Lovely, was arrested Tuesday on a bench warrant. Chief Deputy Chris Kidd made the arrest. Justin E. Marcum, 37, of Inez, was arrested Tuesday on a bench warrant for court. Joseph Christopher Jude, 43, of Lovely, was arrested Tuesday
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Justice delivered for Scott County Deputy
CITIZEN STAFF REPORT GEORGETOWN — A man charged with the 2023 murder of Scott County Sheriff’s Deputy Caleb Conley will spend the rest of his life in prison without the possibility of parole, Attorney General Russell Coleman announced Jan. 29. Deputy Conley, 35, was shot and killed during a traffic stop on Interstate 75 in
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Couple arrested after child shows ‘signs of torture’
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN PIKE COUNTY — A Pike County couple is behind bars on charges of first-degree criminal child abuse, kidnapping with serious physical injury, and first-degree assault. Their arrest follows an investigation that uncovered severe abuse, including evidence described by authorities as “signs of torture.” Police arrested Raccoon resident Mary Hall, 42,
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Local man arrested after allegedly brandishing gun
CITIZEN STAFF REPORT INEZ — A 30-year-old man was arrested Jan. 28 on a charge of first-degree wanton endangerment after allegedly brandishing a handgun and threatening another man, authorities said. Logan Allen, of Inez, was taken into custody by the Johnson County Sheriff’s Department on a warrant obtained in Martin County by James Presley, also
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Former teacher sentenced to more than 20 years for online enticement of a minor
CITIZEN STAFF REPORT LONDON — A former middle school teacher and basketball coach was sentenced Tuesday to more than 20 years in federal prison for the online enticement of a minor. William Goodson, 32, of Antioch, Tennessee, was sentenced to 246 months by U.S. District Judge Claria Horn Boom. According to his plea agreement, Goodson
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Inside the brutality of USP Big Sandy: Former prison lieutenant’s plea reveals culture of abuse
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN DEBORD — In a case that exposes the violent underbelly of the federal prison in Martin County, a former lieutenant at the United States Penitentiary Big Sandy has pleaded guilty to conspiring to violate inmates’ civil rights. The plea reveals chilling details of systemic abuse and a shadow policy targeting
