A man accused of abusing his stepdaughters and keeping the elder one hidden for more than two years has been found competent to stand trial.

The trial of Daniel Paul York, 52, of Somerset, was initially scheduled to begin April 1. A local grand jury indicted him of 25 counts including first degree rape, five counts of third degree kidnapping, three counts of third degree sodomy, nine counts of incest, two counts of first degree unlawful transaction with a minor, unlawful use of electronic means to induce a minor to engage in sexual/prohibited acts, theft of identity, and cultivation of marijuana five or more plants.

He is being held in the Pulaski County Detention Center in lieu of a $2 million cash only bond.

The charges involve York’s alleged abuse of his stepdaughters, the elder of which disappeared from her foster home in Monticello on March 15 and was found safe May 31 with York at the Ky. 461 residence of Kevin Gil Prewitt, 57, of Somerset.

In a separate indictment, Prewitt and 48-year-old Ken Morris Richardson, also of Somerset, were charged with complicity to kidnapping a minor.

A motion from Assistant Commonwealth Attorney David Walton to consolidate the cases after the initial trial was continued, then denied on April 12.

In June, York’s attorney, Greg Ousley, filed a motion to determine York’s competency to stand trial–delaying a September 23 trial date.

After he was evaluated at the Kentucky Correctional Psychiatric Center (KCPC), the defense waived a hearing on September 19 and stipulated the findings of the KCPC report.

Pulaski Circuit Judge Jeffrey Burdette entered his order in the matter on October 10.

A new trial date is yet to be set.

York is scheduled to appear, along with Richardson and Prewitt, for a pretrial conference on November 21.

————————-

A local man was arrested on Monday, October 21, on drug-related charges following an investigation into the location of a possible stolen boat.

According to Wayne County Sheriff Tim Catron, Eric Rhule, of Monticello, was charged with trafficking in a controlled substance first degree (less than two grams of methamphetamine).

Deputies had responded to a residence on Spann Hill during the investigation of the location of the boat.

Catron said his office had also received numerous complaints about possible drug trafficking activities from that same residence.

The owner of the residence gave deputies consent to search the property.

During the search, deputies found methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia, items consistent with drug trafficking activity and $1,300 in cash. All those items were seized.

Rhule, who was arrested by Deputy Cody Neal, was lodged in the Wayne County Detention Center. Neal was assisted by deputies Travis Bell, Jacob Vanover and K-9 Fauster.

————————–

Two men were arrested on drug related charges, according to Wayne County Sheriff Tim Catron.

Lucas Decker, of Monticello, was charged with trafficking in a controlled substance first degree (greater than two grams of meth), possession of a controlled substance third degree, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, careless driving and failure to have license in possession.

Jeremy Lewis, of Monticello, was charged with trafficking in a controlled substance first degree (greater than two grams of meth), possession of a controlled substance third degree, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of marijuana.

Deputy James Barnett and Deputy Derek Dennis made the arrests after conducting a traffic stop on an SUV on Bypass 90, after it crossed the double yellow line and traveled into the shoulder of the road two times.

The deputies gained consent to search the vehicle. They seized approximately 7.5 grams of methamphetamine, three unknown types of controlled substance tablets, a plastic baggie containing an unknown white powder type substance, marijuana and drug paraphernalia.

The deputies were also assisted by Kentucky State Police Trooper Adam Dodson at the scene.

Decker and Lewis were lodged in the Wayne County Detention Center.