CALHOUN GRAND JURY ISSUES INDICTMENTS - Prosecutor Johnson Presents Nine Cases

(09/04/2013)
A Calhoun grand jury, after hearing cases presented by Prosecutor Shannon S. Johnson, issued nine indictments Tuesday in Grantsville.

Gary Paul Ferrell, 62, was indicted on four counts of being a prohibited person in possession of a firearm, all felonies and driving while license was revoked for DUI, 2nd Offense.

Ferrell was also indicted for brandishing a deadly weapon, assault and the illegal killing of a deer in a closed season, all misdemeanors.

Johnson said Ferrell's indictment alleges that he possessed the firearms in September, 2012; on December 22, 2013; and on January 4, 2013.

Further, the indictment alleges that the misdemeanor offenses occurred as a result of an incident on December 22, 2012 during which Ferrell shot a deer on the property of another person and brandished a knife at the landowner.

These charges were investigated by Officer C. R. Stephens of the West Virginia Department of Natural Resources.

Matthew David Jeffrey, 29, was indicted on one count of operating and attempting to operate a clandestine drug laboratory, a felony. The indictment alleges that Jeffrey was operating a clandestine methamphetamine laboratory on March 19, 2012. This case was investigated by Trooper S. E. McCullough of the West Virginia State Police.

Mr. Jeffrey was also named in another indictment which included charges of operating and attempting to operate a clandestine drug laboratory, a felony; purchase, receipt, acquisition, and possession of substances to be used as a precursor to manufacture methamphetamine or another controlled substance, a felony; two counts of exposure of children to the manufacture of methamphetamine, both felonies and one count of conspiracy, a felony.

Along with Mr. Jeffrey, Andrea Simmons, 22; Zebediah Hamrick, 33; and Deanna Nelson, 29; were named in the indictment and were charged with the same felonies. The allegations stem from an incident on August 1, 2012, which was investigated by Chief Deputy J. D. Smith of the Calhoun County Sheriff's Office.

Richard Noke, 44, was indicted on one count of manufacturing of a controlled substance, a felony. It is alleged in the indictment that Mr. Noke was growing marijuana. The plants were initially discovered by the West Virginia State Police during their summer marijuana eradication efforts on July 15, 2011. This case was investigated by Trooper S.E. McCullough of the West Virginia State Police.

Timothy Bowe, 58, was indicted on one count of manufacturing of a controlled substance, a felony. It is alleged in the indictment that Mr. Bowe was growing marijuana. This grow was initially discovered by the West Virginia State Police during their summer marijuana eradication efforts on September 19, 2012. This case was investigated by Sgt. O. S. Starsick of the West Virginia State Police.

Dustin Hillegas, 26, was indicted on one count of sexual abuse in the first degree, a felony, and one count of sexual abuse by a parent, guardian, or custodian, a felony.

The indictment alleges that Mr. Hillegas had sexual contact with a juvenile, who was under the age of twelve years. This case was investigated by Trooper D. C. Moore of the West Virginia State Police.

Johnson said indictments returned against individuals are merely charges at this time and are not indications of guilt. The defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.