The February session of the Grand Jury met last week to hear testimony on several cases and return indictments.

In total, 16 individuals were indicted on 16 separate indictments.

Those indicted in February’s Grand Jury session began appearing before Judge Thomas C. Evans, III, last Thursday to answer the indictments brought against them.

The following indictments were returned by the Grand Jury (listed by case number):

• Denver H. Thomas was indicted on one felony count of sexual abuse by a parent, guardian, custodian, or person in a position of trust.  The indictment alleges that Thomas engaged in or attempted to engage in sexual contact with a female under the age of eighteen during the fall or winter of 2008.  The indictment was based upon the testimony of Sgt. Kenneth G. McCord of the West Virginia State Police. 
• James B. Edmondson, IV, was indicted on one felony count of driving under the influence, 3rd offense.  The indictment alleges that Edmondson was found to be driving under the influence of alcohol after previous convictions in September 2008, August 2006, and March 2002.  The indictment was based upon the testimony of Sgt. T.T. Roberts of the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department. 
• Lowell T. Parsons was indicted on seven felony counts of child abuse resulting in injury and one misdemeanor count of domestic battery.  According to the indictment, during January and February 2009, Parsons allegedly caused various injuries to an infant child as well as throwing his girlfriend, Toni Carmichael, into a wall.  The indictment was based upon the testimony of Deputy B.L. Varney of the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department. 
• Cassandra L. Garnes was indicted on one felony count of grand larceny.  According to the indictment, Garnes allegedly stole the wallet of Kimberly Durst which contained in excess of $1,000 in money, property, and effects.  The indictment was based upon the testimony of Deputy M.D. Strobbe of the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department.
• Jason A. Haynes was indicted on one felony count of child abuse creating substantial risk of serious bodily injury or death.  The indictment alleges that Haynes, while intoxicated during August 2009, did leave a child unattended on a front porch with the door shut while the child was wearing nothing but a diaper.  The indictment was based upon the testimony of Lt. C.C. Metz of the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department. 
• Richard G. Causey was indicted on one felony count of malicious assault.  The indictment alleges that during November 2009, Causey grabbed the wheel of a vehicle driven by Loretta Cale causing her to lose control and wreck on 1-77.  The indictment was based upon the testimony of Cpl. M.E. Cullen of the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department. 
• Billy J. Bragg was indicted on two felony counts of wanton endangerment involving a firearm, one misdemeanor count of domestic battery, one misdemeanor count of receiving stolen goods, and ten felony counts of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.  According to the indictment, in January 2010, Bragg allegedly pointed a semi-automatic rifle at his wife and daughters as well as hit his wife in the back and also fired a rifle blast through the residence of Theodore and Linda Sue Moffatt.  He was also found to be in possession of 10 firearms, two of which had been stolen, after having been previously convicted of grand larceny in February 1981.  The indictment was based upon the testimony of Lt. C.C. Metz of the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department.
• Thomas B. Conley was indicted on one misdemeanor count of entry of a motorcar, three misdemeanor counts of petit larceny, three felony counts of breaking and entering other than a dwelling, three felony counts of grand larceny, one felony count of nighttime burglary, six felony counts of conspiracy to commit a felony, and three misdemeanor counts of conspiracy to commit a misdemeanor.  The indictment alleges that Conley conspired with a minor to commit various acts of theft against several victims during August 2009.  The indictment was based upon the testimony of Captain H.L. Faber of the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department. 
• Bernard W. Stark, III, was indicted on two felony counts of grand larceny.  The indictment alleges that Stark stole a 1993 Honda Civic from Brody McDowell and over $1,000 worth of jewelry from Kristina McCue during June 2009.  The indictment was based upon the testimony of Lt. R.F. Crawford of the Ravenswood Police Department. 
• Danielle M. Koegal was indicted on one felony count of nighttime burglary, one felony count of attempt to commit a felony, and one felony count of conspiracy to commit a felony.  According to the indictment, during November 2009, Koegal allegedly conspired with David A. Funk to break into and enter the home of George C. Cullers with the intent to assault or batter Cullers.  The indictment was based upon the testimony of Lt. A.J. Boggs of the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department. 
• James R. Casto was indicted on one felony count of domestic battery, 3rd offense.  The indictment alleges that Casto grabbed the hair of Donna Black and shoved her to the floor during December 2009 after having been previously convicted of domestic battery in March 2004 and October 2002.  The indictment was based upon the testimony of Sgt. T.T. Roberts of the Jackson Count Sheriff’s Department. 
• Robert S. Smith was indicted on one felony count of breaking and entering and one misdemeanor count of petit larceny. The indictment alleges that in June 2009, Smith broke into the home of William Devault to steal an amount of property that was less that $1,000.  The indictment was based upon the testimony of Sgt. T.T. Roberts of the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department.
• Michael L. Bess was indicted on three felony counts of failure to provide notice of registration changes under the WV Sex Offender Registration Act.  According to the indictment, Bess was found to be in violation of the act during June 2009 by failing to update the WVSP of changes in his phone number, address and internet service.  Bess was convicted on third degree sexual abuse in Kanawha County in January 1988.  The indictment was based upon the testimony of TFC D.H. Herdman of the West Virginia State Police. 
• David A. Funk was indicted on one felony count of nighttime burglary, one felony count of attempt to commit a felony, and one felony count of conspiracy to commit a felony.  According to the indictment, during November 2009, Funk allegedly conspired with Danielle M. Koegal to break into and enter the home of George C. Cullers with the intent to assault or batter Cullers.  The indictment was based upon the testimony of Lt. A.J. Boggs of the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department. 
• Melvin L. Page was indicted on two felony counts of attempted murder and two felony counts of wanton endangerment involving a firearm.  According to the indictment, Page allegedly attempted to either kill or cause severe bodily harm to Stacy Goodrich and a juvenile male during June 2009.  The indictment was based upon the testimony of Sgt. T.T. Roberts of the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department. 
• Rocky L. Kearns, Jr., was indicted on one felony count of breaking and entering and one misdemeanor count of attempt to commit a misdemeanor.  The indictment alleges that during May 2009, Kearns broke into the home of Belinda McCroskey with the intent of stealing a rifle valued less than $1,000.  The indictment was based upon the testimony of Patrolman B.R. Anderson of the Ripley Police Department.