The final regular 2011 session of the Clinton County Grand Jury was conducted last Monday, December 19. Five individuals were charged in the true bills, some on multiple counts, that were opened in Clinton Circuit Court.

The grand jury handed down the following indictments last week:

* The alleged offenses of manufacturing methamphetamine; possession of a controlled substance-first degree; possession of a meth precursor; and, possession of drug paraphernalia, against Tyler E. White. The indictments alleged that on or about August 10, the defendant possessed two or more chemicals or items used in the manufacture of meth, possessed methamphetamine, a drug product or products used as a precursor to meth or other controlled substance and possessed drug paraphernalia.

* The alleged offenses of manufacturing methamphetamine; possession of a controlled substance-first degree; possession of a meth precursor; and, possession of drug paraphernalia, against Bethany J. Groce. The indictments alleged that on or about August 10 the defendant possessed two or more chemicals or items used in the manufacture of meth, possessed methamphetamine, possessed a drug product used as a precursor to meth and possessed drug paraphernalia.

* The alleged offense of abuse of a public trust against Jennifer Crabtree, when on or about January 1, 2009 through April 30, 2011, the defendant, as a public servant/employee of the Clinton County Child Support Office, altered time records, misreported payroll, and received benefits from the Kentucky Retirement System in an amount more than $10,000.

* The alleged offenses of possession of a forged instrument-first degree (four counts) and forgery-second degree (four counts) against Leigh Ann Little Hicks, when on or about October 3, 27 and 28, defendant uttered checks to the Klassic Shop ($200); David Stonecipher ($2,800, $3,500 and $450), with the knowledge the checks were forged and signed the name of Chester H. Little, when she made, completed, or altered a written instrument with the intent to deceive another.

* The alleged offense of flagrant non-support against Tohawnee Stockton, when on or about October 17 through December 19, defendant failed to provide support for her minor child or children, said failure having resulted in an arrearage of more than $1,000 as of Dec. 19.

(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 within an indictment are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.)

The final term of Clinton Circuit Court was also conducted last Monday, December 19 with Circuit Judge Eddie C. Lovelace presiding over the court docket.

New jurors, including Circuit, District and grand jury were also sworn in last week.

The following are cases in which some type of final resolutions was made and/or trial dates scheduled.

* During a pretrial conference, a plea agreement was reached in the case of Commonwealth vs. Ronald D. Daniels. The prosecution recommended that charges of unlawful possession of a methamphetamine precursor, possession of a controlled substance-first degree (meth) and possession of drug paraphernalia be dismissed. Upon a plea of guilty to manufacturing meth, the defendant would receive a 10-year sentence.

Final sentencing has been scheduled for January 17, 2012.

* Sentencing was held in the case of Commonwealth vs. Daniel T. McCarren, pursuant to a plea agreement reached on November 22.

The defendant pled guilty to wanton endangerment-first degree with a five-year sentence imposed and burglary-first degree with a five-year sentence, to run consecutive for a total of 10 years. Pursuant to the Commonwealth recommendation, the 10-year sentence will be probated for five years with supervision. Further, the defendant is to stay out of the Commonwealth of Kentucky and credit for time served shall be determined by the Kentucky Department of Corrections.

In accordance with the plea agreement, charges of fleeing or evading police-second degree, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia will be dismissed and a Rugar 1022 RY rifle seized in the case will be forfeited to the Clinton County Sheriff’s office.

* During a pretrial conference, a plea agreement was reached in the case of Commonwealth vs. Ashley Phillips. The court granted the Commonwealth’s motion for pretrial diversion. Upon a plea of guilty to possession of a controlled substance-first degree, the defendant shall receive a three-year sentence, pretrial diverted for five years with supervision and must enroll and complete the Clinton County Drug Court Program.

* During a pretrial conference, a plea agreement was made in the case of Commonwealth vs. Randall L. Wilkinson, Jr. The Commonwealth recommended the charge of criminal mischief-second degree be dismissed and the charge of burglary-second degree be amended to third degree. Upon a plea of guilty to third degree burglary, the defendant would receive a four-year sentence with 120 days to serve and the balance pretrial diverted for four years with supervision. The defendant shall also pay $600 in restitution upon release.

* During a pretrial conference in the case of Commonwealth vs. Brooke Ann Lee, an agreed order was entered stating that the co-defendant, Tyler Lee, has previously pled guilty to a felony and that he was the perpetrator of the actual physical violence in this case, and the Commonwealth’s witness…having been now deceased and the prosecution being aware of the questionable admissibility of certain statement of the defendant while in jail, and the Commonwealth in consideration of all other factors in the case, moved for dismissal of all action, with prejudice. The defendant was present with counsel and stipulated to probable cause. The Court dismissed the action, with prejudice.

* During motion hour, in the case of Commonwealth vs. Trenton Blaine Lee, originally charged with operating a motor vehicle while under the influence, wanton endangerment and operating an ATV on the roadway and reckless driving, the Court sustained a motion to dismiss the charges with prejudice.

* In the case of Commonwealth vs. Ricky Dewayne Jones, charged with theft by unlawful taking and persistent felony offender-second degree, a pretrial conference was scheduled for January 3, 2012 with a trial date remaining set for January 4, 2012.

* During motion hour, in the case of Commonwealth vs. Shelley Lynn Scott, charged with manufacturing methamphetamine-second or subsequent offense, possession of a meth precursor, possession of a controlled substance-first degree, first offense, trafficking in a controlled substance-first degree, first offense, and four counts of persistent felony offender-second degree, the Court sustained a motion for continuance with a trial date of April 19-20, 2012 scheduled and a pretrial conference set for April 2, 2012.

* During motion hour, in the case of Commonwealth vs. Robby Joe Scott, charged with trafficking in a controlled substance-first degree, first offense, unlawful possession of a meth precursor-first offense, manufacturing methamphetamine, first offense and possession of a controlled substance (meth)-first degree, first offense, the Court sustained a motion for continuance and scheduled trial for April 19-20 with a pretrial conference April 2, 2012.

* During a pretrial conference in the case of Commonwealth vs. Matthew Shelton, charged with possession/use of a radio that sends/receives police messages, convicted felon in possession of a handgun and persistent felony offender-second degree, a trial date of April 27 was scheduled with a pretrial conference set for January 17, 2012.

Several other cases were on the docket December 19, with some cases being continued for various reasons and others having further court dates scheduled. Also, several defendants appeared in court for arraignment purposes, each entering pleas of not guilty and having pretrial conference dates scheduled.