Several drug traffickers appeared in common pleas

A South Point man accused of rape and kidnapping, among other charges, changed his plea from not guilty to not guilty by reason of insanity Wednesday in Lawrence County Common Pleas Judge Andy Ballard’s courtroom.

Frank Thacker, 54, of 203 Township Road 1034, South Point, is facing three counts of rape, all first-degree felonies, one count of burglary, a second-degree felony, two counts of kidnapping, both second-degree felonies, and one count of abduction, a third-degree felony.

In addition, each count of the indictment carries a firearm specification as well, alleging that Thacker had a firearm on or about his person or under his control while committing the offenses, and displayed the firearm, brandished the firearm, indicated he possessed the firearm, or used it to facilitate the crimes.

According to the indictment, all of the charges took place on or about Feb. 10, 2018, in Lawrence County, and all but the burglary charge specify that the crimes were committed against one victim.

Following the change of plea to not guilty by reason of insanity, Ballard ordered Thacker to be evaluated to determine if he is capable to stand trial.

Bond remains at $1 million cash or surety and $1 million OR.

Attorney Adam Slone is representing Thacker in the case.

In other cases:

• Natayle Arthur, 19, of 3021 County Road 181, Ironton, pleaded guilty to two counts of trafficking in drugs (amphetamine and dextroamphetamine), both fifth-degree felonies. Ballard set sentencing for May 2, and set bond at $50,000 OR and placed her on GPS home confinement until sentencing.

• Walter Bocook, 45, of 532 Rockwood Ave., Chesapeake, pleaded not guilty to trafficking in heroin, a fifth-degree felony. Ballard set bond at $5,000 cash or surety and $25,000 OR. Pretrial was set for May 9.

• Brandy Bump, 31, of 1505 Lawrence St., Ironton, pleaded guilty to possession of drugs (methamphetamine), a fifth-degree felony. Ballard sentenced her to four years community-controlled sanctions (CCS) under intensive supervised probation (ISP) with 11 months reserved, and ordered her to complete STAR and 200 hours community service.

• John Davis, 27, of 98 Township Road 352, South Point, denied CCS violations. Ballard set CCS trial for April 25.

• Jeremiah Doss, 32, of 498 State Route 378, Chesapeake, pleaded guilty to possession of drugs (methamphetamine), a fifth-degree felony. Ballard sentenced him to 180 days in jail suspended, three years probation, and ordered him to complete treatment at Mended Reeds.

• Eddie Estep, 36, of 630 Township Road 60, South Point, pleaded guilty to complicity to trafficking in drugs, a fifth-degree felony. Ballard sentenced him to four years CCS under ISP with 11 months reserved, and ordered him to complete STAR, 200 hours community service and pay court costs.

• Courtney Gallion, 39, address unknown, admitted CCS violations. Ballard sentenced her to six months in prison with credit for one month served, and ordered her to pay court costs.

• Albert Jenkins, 26, address unknown, admitted CCS violations. Ballard ordered him to complete STAR and 200 hours community service with 11 months reserved.

• Tyrone Markel, 42, of 412 N. Sixth St., Ironton, pleaded not guilty to three counts of trafficking in drugs (methamphetamine), all fourth-degree felonies. Ballard set bond at $5,000 cash or surety and $25,000 OR. Pretrial was set for May 9.

• Savannah Owens, 22, of 402 Second St., Ironton, pleaded guilty to grand theft, a fourth-degree felony. Ballard set sentencing for May 6.

• Xavier Price, 28, of 223 Township Road 1186, South Point, previously pleaded not guilty to four counts of trafficking in drugs (fentanyl), all fourth-degree felonies. He rejected the state’s final offer of four years in prison with the possibility of judicial release after three years. He is facing a maximum sentence of six years in prison if found guilty at trial. Trial was set for May 17-18.

• Sammy Scott, 32, of 3836 Logan St., Ashland, Kentucky, pleaded not guilty to three counts of trafficking in heroin, all fifth-degree felonies. Ballard set bond at $5,000 cash or surety and $30,000 OR. Pretrial was set for May 9.

• Stewart Scott, age and address unknown, pleaded not guilty to three counts of trafficking in drugs, all fifth-degree felonies. Ballard set bond at $5,000 cash or surety and $30,000 OR.

• Garland Sharp, 28, of 2689 County Road 181, Ironton, pleaded not guilty to burglary, a fourth-degree felony. Ballard set trial for April 27.

• Michael Short Jr., 29, of 1124 S. Fourth St., Ironton, previously pleaded guilty to two counts of trafficking in drugs (methamphetamine), both third-degree felonies. He rejected the state’s final offer of three years in prison, and is facing a maximum of six years if found guilty at trial. Ballard set trial for July 12-13.

• Benjamin Vanover, 40, of 96 Private Drive 1211, Proctorville, pleaded not guilty to tampering with evidence, a third-degree felony, escape, a third-degree felony, and vandalism, a felony of the fifth-degree. Ballard set a final offer date of June 6. If he rejects the final offer, trial is set for July 16-17.

• Kayla Weed, 31, of 265 Township Road 1030, South Point, admitted CCS violations. Ballard continued her CCS, sentenced her to 30 days in jail, and ordered her to complete 200 hours community service and treatment at Mended Reeds with 11 months reserved.

• Cheyenne Belville, 19, of 1412 S. First St., Ironton, pleaded not guilty to possession of drugs (methamphetamine), a fifth-degree felony. Judge Charles Cooper set bond at $10,000 cash or surety. Pretrial was set for May 2.

• Samuel D. Browning, 33, of 153 W. High St., Circleville, denied CCS violations. Cooper set CCS trial for May 2.

• John R. Carey, 55, of 115 Etna St., Ironton, pleaded not guilty to possession of drugs (methamphetamine), a fifth-degree felony. Cooper continued a $15,000 cash or surety bond from lower court and set a $10,000 OR bond. Pretrial was set for May 9.

• Doren E. Dingus, 42, of 102 Marie St., South Point, pleaded guilty to two counts of trafficking in drugs (Oxycodone), both fourth-degree felonies. Cooper set sentencing for May 2.

• Zachary A. Fox, 22, of 2718 ½ S. 11th St., Ironton, pleaded guilty to two counts of trafficking in drugs (methamphetamine), both third-degree felonies. Cooper sentenced him to 59 months in prison.

• Michael C. Irish, 65, of 410 Township Road 1156, Chesapeake, pleaded guilty to pandering obscenity involving a minor, a second-degree felony. Cooper set sentencing for May 9.

• Douglas N. Price Jr., 35, of 2205 S. Sixth St., Ironton, previously admitted CCS violations. Cooper sentenced him to 18 months in prison.

• Mark Anthony Saxton, 45, of 6663 Strattford Lakes Blvd., Winchester, previously pleaded not guilty to possession of heroin, a fifth-degree felony. He rejected the state’s final offer of four years CCS and STAR. He is facing a maximum of one year in prison if found guilty at trial. Cooper set trial for May 7-8.

• Natasha M. Williams, 31, of 1484 County Road 44, Ironton, pleaded guilty to theft, a first-degree misdemeanor. Cooper sentenced her to six months in jail suspended, probation and ordered her to pay $19,568 in restitution to the Lawrence County Department of Job and Family Services.

• Codi L. Garrison, 24, of 706 Township Road 111, Ironton, pleaded not guilty to two counts of possession of drugs (Ritalin, methamphetamine), both fifth-degree felonies, and driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs, a first-degree misdemeanor. Cooper set bond at $5,000 cash or surety and $5,000 OR. Pretrial was set for May 16.