Clinton Grand Jury returns a host of indictments in latest session

Posted February 20, 2018 at 4:01 pm

The Clinton County Grand Jury had a busy regular monthly session on Thursday, February 8, returning a host of true bills, including some multi-count and several single charge indictments in open circuit court.

In the case of multi-indictment counts, some of the charges included misdemeanor as well as felony counts.

One of those indictments was handled through the office of Kentucky Attorney General Andy Beshear and his office of Special Prosecutions.

According to a press release from Beshear’s office received by the Clinton County News last week, Attorney General Andy Beshear and his Office of Special Prosecutions announced the indictment of a Clinton County man for firing a handgun in the home of his estranged wife, while their son was present.

Daniel R. Guffey, 53, of Albany, was indicted in Clinton County Circuit Court on Feb. 8, on two counts each of first-degree wanton endangerment, first-degree criminal mischief, third-degree terroristic threatening and third-degree criminal mischief.

Prosecutors in Beshear’s office alleged that on Nov. 7, 2017, Guffey kicked in the door to his wife’s home, while their minor son was present, and discharged a firearm, damaging her stove.

First-degree wanton endangerment and criminal mischief are Class D felonies, and the remaining charges are misdemeanors. Guffey faces a prison sentence of one to 15 years if convicted. A charge is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

Arraignment is scheduled for 9 a.m. CST, March 1, 2018, in Clinton Circuit Court in front of Judge David L. Williams.

Beshear said Guffey is currently on home incarceration.

Beshear’s Office of Special Prosecutions is prosecuting the case with assistance from the Clinton County Sheriff’s Office.

The following additional true bills were hand down in this month.

* Jason Miller: The alleged offenses of possession of drug paraphernalia (Class A misdemeanor); possession of a controlled substance first degree (Class D felony); operating a motor vehicle under the influence; no/expired registration plates; no registration plates/receipt; failure to maintain insurance (Class B misdemeanor); failure to notify address change to Department of Transportation (Class B misdemeanor); failure to use seatbelt; and reckless driving. The alleged offenses having occurred on or about August 27, 2017.

* Tommy B. Phillips. The alleged offenses of fleeing or evading police first degree (Class D felony); wanton endangerment first degree (Class D felony); possession of a handgun by a convicted felon (Class C felony); receiving stolen property (Class D felony) and four total counts of persistent felony offender first degree. The alleged offenses occurred on or about October 30 and 31, 2017.

* Hannah A. Warinner. The alleged offenses of failure to maintain insurance (Class B misdemeanor); operating a motor vehicle under the influence; possession of drug paraphernalia (Class A misdemeanor); hindering prosecution or apprehension (Class A misdemeanor); and possession of a controlled substance first degree (Class D felony). The alleged offenses having occurred on or about January 27.

* Ricky Perdue. The alleged offenses of wanton endangerment first degree (Class D felony) and criminal trespass third degree. The alleged offenses having occurred on or about September 25, 2016.

* Jeffery L. Braswell, the alleged offense of marijuana cultivation, Class D felony. The alleged offense having occurred on or about August 22, 2017.

* Virgil E. Braswell, the alleged offense of marijuana cultivation, Class D felony. The alleged offense having occurred on or about August 22, 2017.

* Clarence Braswell, the alleged offense of marijuana cultivation, Class D felony. The offense having occurred on or about August 22, 2017.

* Anna K. Hogan, the alleged offense of marijuana cultivation, Class D felony. The alleged offense having occurred on or about August 22, 2017.

* Jordan Lavan, the alleged offense of theft by deception, Class D felony. The alleged offense having occurred on or about September 8, 2017.

* Jennifer Riddle, the alleged offense of intimidating a witness in the legal process, class D felony. The alleged offense having occurred on or about April 1, 2017.

(Editor’s Note: An indictment is a statement of probable cause to believe an offense has been committed and further court proceedings are warranted. Those individuals named in an indictment are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.)