The four defendants indicted by a Metcalfe grand jury two weeks ago were arraigned in Metcalfe Circuit Court on September 27. Each appeared before Judge Phil Patton with the legal council; the Commonwealth was represented by Executive Director of the Office of Special Prosecutions F. Todd Lewis and Assistant Attorney General Jeffrey R. Prather.

The defendants are charged with engaging in organized crime between 2009 and 2010 by collaborating on a continuing basis in a criminal syndicate, a Class B felony; 17 counts of theft by deception over $10,000, a Class C felony; 144 counts of theft by deception over $500 but under $10,000, a Class D felony; and 11 counts of theft by deception under $500, a misdemeanor.

The first to be arraigned was 48-year-old Grant Gibson, son of Eastern Livestock Company owner Thomas Gibson. He is represented by Cincinnati Attorney Benjamin Dusing.

Seventy-year-old Thomas Gibson is represented by Louisville Attorney Brian Butler.

Michael Steven McDonald, 59, is represented by Louisville Attorneys Scott C. Cox and Mark L. Miller.

Darren Brangers, 43, of Louisville, is represented by Attorney Steve Romines.

Special Prosecutor Lewis asked for a $250,000 cash bond with a deposit of $25,000 for Thomas and Grant Gibson and Daren Bangers. Steve McDonald was given a $100,000 cash bond.

All defendants are due back in court for a pre-trial conference on November 22.