PIKEVILLE, Ky. – An attempted assault upon a law enforcement officer, nine counts of criminal possession of forged checks and destruction of two ATM machines are among charges involved in 13 indictments just returned by the Pike County Grand Jury.

Commonwealth Attorney Rick L. Bartley, of the 35th Judicial Circuit, released the indictments and also a special report by the Grand Jury. The jury foreman reported that the panel received no reports of criminal wrongdoing or other irregularities in connection with the Nov. 3, 2009 Special Election held in the county.

When selected as grand jurors, the panel was charged with the task of inquiring into any election irregularities brought to its attention.

A four-count indictment was returned against Michael Lathey, 52, of Pikeville, who allegedly committed the offense of assault, third degree, on Oct. 29, 2009, when he caused or attempted to cause a physical injury to Aaron Thompson, a law enforcement officer.

#Investigating Kentucky State Police also testified to the grand jury which indicted Lathey on charges of terroristic threatening that could result in death or serious physical injury to Connie Lathey, or likely to result in substantial property damage to that individual.

In addition, Lathey was charged with resisting arrest by a peace officer, and with the offense of persistent felony offender, second degree. for having been previously convicted of first degree wanton endangerment, first degree assault and fourth degree assault in Pike County during 2009. Sentences were imposed for each offense.

– Stephen M. Bailey, 27, Seco, Ky., is charged with two counts of criminal mischief, first degree, for intentionally or wantonly damaging or destroying two ATM machines, one belonging to the Community Trust Bank and the other to U.S. Bank. A loss in excess of $1,000 was reported in each instance.

Bailey also was indicted on the offense of tampering with physical evidence which he had reason to believe would be produced in an official proceeding.

– Jason Young, 29, of Pikeville, stands charged with nine counts of criminal possession of a forged instrument, second degree. He allegedly uttered or possessed checks in amounts ranging from $50 to $200, to which the name of Susan Young or Everett Young had been forged in September 2009. The total of the checks was $805. Count 10 accuses him of theft by unlawful taking of checks in the amount or value of less than $500 which belonged to Susan Young.

• Other indictments and the charges were as follows:

– Matthew Lynch, 35, Pikeville; two counts of trafficking in a controlled substance, first degree, involving a quantity of oxycodone, a Schedule II controlled substance. He also is being charged with persistent felony offender, first degree, for having been previously convicted of two or more prior felonies.

#– Jimmy J. Adkins, 20 of Betsy Layne, Ky.; one count of burglary, second degree, when he unlawfully entered or remained in the residence of Olivia Kinney on Nov. 4, 2009 for the purpose of committing a crime therein; and one charge of assault, second degree, when he wantonly struck Cody McCay with his hands and feet and, or a dangerous instrument thereby causing a serious physical injury.

– Keene Michael Johnson, 31, of Pikeville; charged with theft by unlawful taking on Oct. 30, 2009 by taking or exercising control of a firearm belonging to Alex Blankenship.

– Donald Chapman, 56, of McVeigh, Ky.; charged with operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of intoxicants of drugs or alcohol on Sept. 24, 2009; possession of a Schedule III controlled substance, second degree; possession of drug paraphernalia, and operating a motor vehicle license without a valid operators’ license.

#– Tomi Preece, 28, of Pikeville; alleged offenses include operating a motor vehicle while under he influence of intoxicants, third offense, on Sept. 18, 2009, at a time when the defendant had previously been convicted of said offense in 2005 and 2009; operating a motor vehicle while license is DUI suspended or revoked, first offense; possession of a controlled substance, second degree (hydrocodone); illegal possession of a legend drug, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

– Ashley R. Swiney, 25, of Pikeville; indicted on the offense of promoting contraband, first degree, by knowingly introducing dangerous contraband (controlled substances and a cigarette lighter) into a detention facility or, being confined in said facility, obtained or possessed such contraband.

– Joseph Dean Cole, 28, of Shelbiana, Ky., and Keri Salisbury, 30, of Harold, Ky.; jointly indicted on a charge of criminal possession of a forged instrument, second degree, identified as a check in the amount of $250 to which the name of Harold Blackburn had been forged Oct. 22, 2009. They are also charged with theft by deception when they created a false impression they were entitled to funds less than $500, or in complicity with each other in so doing.

#– Renee A. Hall, 26, of Virgie, Ky.; charged with theft of a motor vehicle registration plate or decal on Oct. 17, 2009 when the defendant possessed and displayed on a vehicle, a registration plate or decal which had been previously stolen.

– Steven Tackett, 25, of Myra, Ky.; indicted on charges of possessing a controlled substance, first degree (identified as cocaine, a Schedule II controlled substance); possession of drug paraphernalia; public intoxication, and persistent felony offender, second degree, for having previously been convicted in Pike County for first degree fleeing or evading (2005) and attempt to obtain a controlled substance by fraud (2008).

– John Chaney, 29, of Regina, Ky.; indicted on three alleged offenses of June 7, 2008 – operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of intoxicants, third offense, at a time when he had previously been convicted of said offense on two prior occasions, in 2005 and 2006; fleeing or evading police, second degree, when he knowingly disobeyed a recognized direction by a peace officer to stop the vehicle he was operating; and possession of a Schedule I controlled substance, second degree (less than 8 ounces of marijuana).

Witnesses before the grand jury included officers of the Kentucky State Police, Pikeville Police Department and Pike County Detention Center.

(Editor’s. Note: An indictment is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.)