The Clinton County Grand Jury convened on October 8, and returned several indictments in open circuit court.

Included in this round of indictments that have not already been reported on by the Clinton County News includes an indictment against an individual charged in relation to a fire at the Clinton County Jail in August.

During the October session, the grand jury charged Ricky Lance Poore with first degree arson, a Class A felony, alleging on or about August 14, “When with the intent to destroy or damage the building known as the Clinton County Jail…when he set fire in the men’s cell area.”

The defendant was also charged with five counts of first degree wanton endangerment by putting five inmates who were incarcerated at the facility in “immediate danger of death or physical injury.”

Poore is due to be arraigned on those charges in Clinton Circuit Court on Thursday, November 5.

The grand jury also handed down the following true bills earlier this month.

* Earl Dalton, the alleged offenses of criminal possession of a forged instrument (two counts), Class D felony and two counts of theft by deception, Class A misdemeanor.

The alleged offenses occurred on or about June 26 and 28 of this year.

* John E. Wray, the alleged offense of assault first degree, Class B felony. The alleged offense having occurred on or about May 16.

* Bobby Phillips, the alleged offenses of criminal syndicate, engaging in organized crime, Class B felony; criminal possession of a forged instrument, Class D felony; theft by deception, Class D felony; and three counts of persistent felony offender second degree.

The alleged offenses on or about June 24 and July 2.

* Billy Amonett, the alleged offenses of criminal syndicate, engaging in organized crime, Class B felony; two counts of criminal possession of a forged instrument, Class D felony; and two counts of theft by deception Class A misdemeanor.

The alleged offenses occurred on or about June 24, 25, and 28.

* Bobby Amonett, the alleged offenses of criminal syndicate, engaging in organized crime, Class B felony; possession of a criminal instrument second degree, Class D felony; and theft by deception, Class A misdemeanor.

The alleged offenses occurring on or about June 24.

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