Numerous defendants plea to drug charges

A trial date is set for a South Point man accused of rape, kidnapping and other charges in two separate cases.

Frank Thacker, 54, of 203 Township Road 1034, South Point, was previously found competent to stand trial after pleading not guilty by reason of insanity to the first case, which included 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.

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. In addition, each count carries a firearm specification, 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.

As a result of the first case, DNA evidence of Thacker came back that matched a cold case from 1999, where he was then charged with three additional counts of rape, all first-degree felonies, one count of kidnapping, a first-degree felony, and one count of abduction, a felony of the third-degree.

According to the indictment on the second case, all of the charges took place on or about Dec. 22, 1999, in Lawrence County, and also had a single victim listed for each of the crimes.

At a pretrial for both cases on Wednesday, Ballard continued bond, which was set at $1 million cash or surety and $1 million OR. Trial in both cases was set for Aug. 27-28.

Another pretrial is also set to take place on Aug. 1, where Thacker will be given a final offer for a guilty plea.

Attorney Adam Slone is representing Thacker in both cases.

In other cases:

• Ethan Anderson, 21, of 3668 State Route 141, Ironton, pleaded not guilty to trafficking in marijuana, a fifth-degree felony, possession of marijuana, also a fifth-degree felony, and possession of drugs (Alprazolam), a first-degree misdemeanor. Ballard set bond at $5,000 cash or surety and $20,000 OR. Pretrial was set for July 11.

• Misty Boyer, 35, of 1967 N. Fourth St., Ironton, previously pleaded not guilty to two counts of trafficking in drugs (methamphetamine, Alprazolam), one fourth-degree felony and one fifth-degree felony, and possession of drugs (methamphetamine), a fifth-degree felony. She denied the state’s final offer of one year in prison and forfeiting $252, and is facing a maximum of three and a half years behind bars if found guilty at trial. She also failed a drug screen, and Ballard increased her bond to $50,000 cash or surety and $50,000 OR. Trial was set for Aug. 23-24.

• James Chaffins, 57, of 645 A Coal Bank Hollow, Ironton, pleaded guilty to two counts of trafficking in drugs (morphine sulfate, morphine), both fourth-degree felonies. Ballard sentenced him to four years community-controlled sanctions (CCS) under intensive supervised probation (ISP) with 34 months reserved, and ordered him to complete STAR.

• Scott Fox, 45, address unknown, admitted CCS violations. Ballard sentenced him to six months in prison.

• Harold Fuller, 60, of 1527 S. Third St., Ironton, pleaded not guilty to two counts of robbery, one second-degree felony and one third-degree felony. Ballard set bond at $5,000 cash or surety and $50,000 OR. Pretrial was set for July 11.

• Ashley Gardner, 34, of 1539 County Road 21, Ironton, pleaded guilty to possession of drugs (methamphetamine), a third-degree felony, tampering with evidence, a third-degree felony, and possession of criminal tools, a felony of the fifth-degree. Ballard sentenced her to four years CCS under ISP with 60 months reserved, and ordered her to complete STAR, 200 hours community service and outpatient treatment at the conclusion of STAR.

• Michael Gore, 31, address unknown, admitted CCS violations. Ballard sentenced him to six months in prison.

• Richard Heaberlin, 48, of 615 S. 10th St., Ironton, or 1936 Ora Richey Road, Ironton, denied CCS violations, and in another case, pleaded not guilty to possession of drugs (methamphetamine), a fifth-degree felony. Ballard set bond at $15,000 cash or surety and $15,000 OR. CCS trial and pretrial were set for July 11.

• Edward Holmes Jr., 40, of 723 Mulberry St., Ironton, had a mental evaluation accepted, where he was found incompetent to stand trial on charges of intimidation, a third-degree felony, and aggravated menacing, a first-degree misdemeanor. Ballard ordered him be turned over to Appalachian Behavior Health for competency restoration in the amount of time allowed by law.

• Wanda Jenkins, 55, of 401 Center St., Apt. A, Ironton, previously pleaded not guilty to tampering with evidence, a third-degree felony, possession of drugs (Diazepam), a first-degree misdemeanor, and resisting arrest, a second-degree misdemeanor. Ballard set pretrial for July 11.

• Frank Lewis, 36, of 317 ½ Kemp Ave., Ironton, previously pleaded not guilty to tampering with evidence, a third-degree felony, and theft, a fifth-degree felony. Ballard set bond at $50,000 cash or surety and $100,000 OR. Pretrial was set for July 18.

• Tyrone Markel, 42, of 412 N. Sixth St., Ironton, pleaded guilty to possession of drugs (methamphetamine), a fifth-degree felony, and in another case, three counts of trafficking in drugs (methamphetamine), all fourth-degree felonies. Ballard sentenced him to four years CCS under ISP with 48 months reserved, and ordered him to complete STAR, 200 hours community service and outpatient treatment at the conclusion of STAR.

• George Massie, 35, of 1116 County Road 182, Kitts Hill, previously pleaded not guilty to having weapons while under disability, a third-degree felony, and domestic violence, a first-degree misdemeanor. Ballard set trial for Aug. 16-17.

• Brandon McComas, 21, of 123 Private Drive 53, Apt. 1C, Proctorville, denied CCS violations. Ballard set CCS trial for July 11.

• Xavier Price, 28, of 223 Township Road 1186, South Point, pleaded guilty to four counts of trafficking in heroin, all fifth-degree felonies. Ballard set sentencing for July 11, where he will be sentenced to two years in prison as part of the negotiated deal.

• Terry Unrue, 41, of 714 S. 10th St., Apt. A, Ironton, previously pleaded guilty to two counts of trafficking in heroin, both fifth-degree felonies. Ballard sentenced him to one year in prison and ordered him to pay court costs.

• Megan Benicker, 33, of 1519 Thomas St., Pedro, denied CCS violations. Judge Charles Cooper set CCS trial for July 3.

• Sclena Ellis, 56, of 1412 S. Ninth St., Ironton, pleaded guilty to three counts of trafficking in drugs (methamphetamine), all fourth-degree felonies. Cooper sentenced her to two years in prison.

• Todd McCann, 44, of 657 County Road 119, Ironton, admitted CCS violations. Cooper sentenced him to nine months in prison.

• Randy Newcomb, 37, of 1119 S. Third St., Ironton, pleaded guilty to four counts of trafficking in drugs (methamphetamine), all third-degree felonies. Cooper set sentencing for July 11.

• Shannon Reaper, 43, of 2425 S. Fourth St., Ironton, pleaded guilty to attempted felonious assault, a third-degree felony. Cooper sentenced him to four years CCS under ISP with 36 months reserved, and ordered him to complete STAR.

• Seth White, 61, of 238 Hamilton St., Coal Grove, previously pleaded guilty to trafficking in drugs (Oxycodone), a fourth-degree felony. Cooper sentenced him to six months in prison.