Rachel Dove-Baldwin

Staff Writer

WILLIAMSON — Law enforcement officers within Mingo County have had a busy and a productive week, taking numerous defendants into custody on a variety of charges.

Crystal Davidson, 25, of Williamson, was arrested by Williamson City Police Sgt. J.E. Spence and B.W. Gibson on charges of disorderly conduct and obstruction following a report of a disturbance call at a Vinson Street residence.

According to the criminal complaint, when the officers arrived at the scene Davidson was standing on the porch of the residence yelling for police to go ahead and take her to jail. When asked what was going on, Davidson relayed that the homeowner had instructed her to leave the premises but said she was not going anywhere. The individual who lived in the home told police she wanted Davidson off of her property, and the officers repeatedly ordered Davidson to do so but she continued to refuse.

Davidson was placed under arrest and was transported to Mingo County Magistrate Court where she was arraigned before Magistrate Pam Newsome, who issued a bond amount of $2,000 for the defendant.

Kermit Police Chief C.E. Chambers conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle being operated by David Newsome, 22, of Lenore, after observing the truck veering left of center several times. Upon approaching the driver, the chief stated in the complaint he detected a strong odor of alcohol on his breath. The officer administered a field sobriety test to the defendant, which he was not able to complete. A portable breathalyzer test was performed in which Newsome is said to have blown a .287, with the legal limit being .080.

The defendant was placed under arrest on charges of DUI and left of center. He was arraigned by Magistrate Newsome and was released from custody after posting a $1,100 bond.

Kandace Faythe Hensley, 25, of Greensboro, N.C., was taken into custody by Mingo County Sheriff’s (MCSD) Deputies E. Williams and M.J. Mounts on an obstructing an officer charge that stemmed from the defendant’s continued refusal to comply with orders to keep her hands on the side of a vehicle operated by Russell Robinette, 23, of Delbarton, that was in the process of being searched. Robinette was also arrested and was charged with DUI and driving on a suspended license.

Both Hensley and Robinette were arraigned before Magistrate Newsome. Hensley was released from custody after posting a $500 bail and Robinette was incarcerated on a $1,000 bond.

Gregory Gillman, 46, of Delbarton, was placed under arrest by Deputies Mounts and Williams and was charged with DUI and driving on a suspended license after a traffic stop was conducted on a vehicle that had an illegal registration tag.

Gillman was arraigned before Magistrate Newsome and was issued a bond amount of $1,000 for the charge.

Franklin Andrew Jarvis, 26, of Lenore, was taken into custody by West Virginia State Police Troopers T.G. Kania III and D.L. Contos on charges of driving revoked for reasons of DUI; speeding; unsigned registration card; no proof of insurance and obstructed driver’s view.

The troopers were on road patrol on U.S. 119 when they observed a Toyota Yaris traveling in the northbound lane at an approximate speed of 79 mph in a 65 mph zone. A traffic stop was initiated and the vehicle was observed to have a cracked windshield that obstructed the view of the driver. When asked for his registration and insurance card, the registration was unsigned and the insurance was expired. A Department of Motor Vehicle inquiry on the status of Jarvis’ license was performed and the officer was advised it had been revoked for a previous DUI conviction.

Jarvis was arraigned by Newsome, who set bond for the defendant at $1,400.

Cody M. Ballenger, 21, of Anderson, S.C., was arrested by Sgt. D. Salmons of the Gilbert Police Department and M. Miller of the MCSD on charges of DUI 1st offense, and prohibited ATV act following a traffic stop on Rt. 52 South near the Justice community in Gilbert.

After approaching the ATV and requesting the defendant’s driver’s license, the officers smelled a alcoholic beverage odor on his breath. Field sobriety tests were administered which Ballenger is said to have failed. Ballenger allegedly blew a .128 on the alcoholic breathalyzer test.

The defendant was arraigned by Magistrate Newsome and was released from custody after meeting the $1,100 bond requirements.

Michael Brandon Ford, 29, also of Anderson, S.C., was arrested along with Ballenger and was charged with DUI 1st offense, and crossing the center line on an ATV. Officers Salmons and Miller detected the smell of alcohol on his breath while questioning the men. Ford failed to successfully complete the field sobriety tests and was taken into custody. He was arraigned by Newsome and was issued a bond in the amount of $1,100.

Alisa L. Gibson, 29, of Oceana, was arrested on a fugitive from justice warrant out of Pike County, Ky. for charges of 5 felony counts of theft by deception (cold checks) over $300 and 6 misdemeanor counts of theft by deception under $300. The fugitive was arrested by Gilbert Asst. Police Chief N.A. Glanden and was arraigned before Mingo County Circuit Court Judge Michael Thornsbury. Gibson was transported to the Southwestern Regional Jail at Holden to await extradition back to Pike County where she will be formerly arraigned on the counts for which she has already been indicted.