PIKEVILLE, Ky. - Two Pike County men charged in separate incidents allegedly involving destructive devices were among the 23 persons named in indictments just returned by the Pike County Grand Jury.

- Terry Joseph, 34, of Virgie, Ky., is charged with the offense of criminal possession of a destructive device on July 12, 2008. He allegedly unlawfully possessed, maufactured or transported a destructive device with intent to use it to commit an offense against the laws of the Commonwealth of the United States.

- Joey W. Robinson, 25, of Pikeville, was indicted on a charge of terroristic threatening, first degree, on June 4, 2009 by making false statements that he or another person had placed a weapon of mass destruction on the real property or any building owned or leased by a government agency.

A second charge is that he took control of a cell phone valued at $300 or more,which belonged to Dianna Hamm.

Commonwealth Attorney Rick L. Bartley released the 18 indictments (some having more than one defendant) just returned by the Grand Jury serving the May court term.

Among other charges were those that are drug-related and those involving assault, fleeing or resisting arrest, burglary, theft by unlawful taking, criminal possession of a destructive device, and receiving stolen property.

- Two teenagers accused in separate cases of stealing cash from a grocery and merchandise from a chain store were indicted.

Eighteen-year-old Stephen L. Pinson of Pikeville is charged with two counts of Class D felony - theft by unlawful taking. The indictment accuses him of twice taking cash in the amount of $300 or more, belonging to Velocity Market. The offenses occurred on April 2 and April 29, 2009.

Mary L. Hall, 19, of South Williamson, Ky., is charged with one offense of theft by unlawful taking of merchandise valued at $300 or more, from Walmart on Dec. 22, 2008.

• Other indictments were as follows:

- Robin Robinson, 45, of Robinson Creek, Ky., is accused of identity theft when she knowingly possessed or used identifying information of Kelli Coleman without consent and with the intent to represent that she was such person for the purpose of obtaining property or benefits from Layne Bryant, and further, to obtain financial credit at such business in September 2008.

- Joseph Steven Cleve-nger, 33, of Elkhorn City, Ky., is accused of receiving stolen property on or about March 11,2009 by knowingly receiving, retaining or disposing of mining bits valued at $300 or more, which had been stolen from Hubble Mine.

- Rodney Lovern, Jr., 33, and Peggy G. Lovern, 30, of the same address at Pikeville, are charged in two counts with trafficking in a Schedule II controlled substance, first degree (Oxycodone) on Feb. 11,2009.

Rodney Lovern Jr. is now being charged with the offense of persistent felony offender, second degree, for having previously been convicted in Pike Circuit Court of receiving stolen property valued at over $300, for which he received a suspended sentence of three years Sept. 27, 2004.

- James Michael Collins, 34, of Pikeville, is charged with assault, fourth degree (Class A misdemeanor) when he caused a physical injury to Christy Mullins on May 30, 2009. He also is charged with fleeing or evading police, first degree and resisting arrest. Because of a prior conviction of fraudulent use of a credit card and a two-year prison sentence on Dec. 11, 2008, he is being charged with the offense of persistent felony offender, second degree.

- Rodney Thacker, 30, Pikeville, was indicted on a charge of burglary first degree in connection with the unlawful entry of David Campbell’s dwelling on May 20,2009, with intent to commit a crime and while armed with a deadly weapon. He also is accused of theft by unlawful taking of a gun valued at $300 or more and belonging to David Campbell.

- Jennifer Amburgey, age not available, and Darryl Amburgey, 24, both of the same address in Pikeville, are jointly charged with theft by unlawful taking July 1, 2008, of various items valued at $300 or more and belonging to Becky Edmonds. A second count charges them with criminal mischief, first degree, when they damaged or destroyed various items belonging to Becky Edmonds and causing a loss in excess of $1,000.

- Carl Pugh Jr., 46, of Pikeville, was indicted for the offense of assault, fourth degree, Oct. 7, 2008, when he caused a physical injury to Debbie Goble, a family member. The defendant had two prior convictions for assault of family members in Pike County within five years of the latest incident (Jan. 11 and Aug. 20, 2005).

- Angela D. Robinson, 30, of Dana, Ky., and Jason S. Charles, 31, of Pikeville, were jointly indicted on six counts, including two felonies and four misdemeanors which occurred May 5,2009.

One charge is theft by unlawful taking of a purse sunglasses, makeup and cash valued at $300 or more, which belonged to Hue Tran. Three counts of possession of controlled substances (first, second and third degrees) involve a Schedule II controlled substance, oxycodone; two Schedule III controlled substances, suboxone and hydrocodone and a Schedule II controlled substance, alprazolam .. They also are charged with possession of drug paraphernalia.

- Tommy D. Elswick, 31, of Pikeville, is charged with three counts of possession of controlled substances, including Schedule II controlled substances, oxycodone and cocaine, and a Schedule IV controlled substance, xanax. He also is charged with fleeing or evading police, second degree; resisting arrest and public intoxication.

In addition, Elswick is being charged with the offense of persistent felony offender, second degree, because of an April 28, 2008 conviction and one year sentence for receiving stolen property ($300 or more) in Pike County.

- Richard W. May, 32, of Phyllis, Ky., is charged with possession of a Schedule II controlled substance, first degree, and possession of drug paraphernalia May 13, 2009.

- Brian Little, 33, of Jonancy, Ky., is charged with trafficking in marijuana when he sold or possessed with intent to sell over 8 ounces, and while in possession of a firearm. A second count is possession of drug paraphernalia.

- James Bentley, 43, of East Majestic, Ky., was indicted on a charge of trafficking in a Schedule II controlled substance, first degree, while in possession of a firearm on March 23,2009. A second count accuses him of possession of drug paraphernalia.

- Three Stopover, Ky., residents, John Brizen-dine, 33, Lisa Brizendine, 43, and Trea Dan Roberts, 52, are jointly indicted on two counts of trafficking in controlled substance, first degree and second degree, respectively, while in possession of a firearm, or in complicity with each other in so doing. They also are charged with possession of drug paraphernalia.

- Brandon Blackburn, 28, of Shelbiana, Ky., is charged with receiving stolen property, identified as an automobile valued at $300 or more, which had been stolen from Kano Motor Inc. on or about May 1,2009. A second count accuses him of theft by deception by obtaining from Judith Mullins an automobile valued at $300 or more, in return for an automobile which the defendant did not own and was not authorized to sell or trade.

Grand jury witnesses included officers of the Kentucky State Police, Pikeville Police Depart-ment, Pike County Sheriff’s Office and several other individuals.

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