Two adults, two juveniles indicted for string of arson fires in Pleasant View

A Whitley County Grand Jury has indicted two adults and two juveniles for arson in connection with a string of fires at vacant homes in the Pleasant View community this past April.

"Some they were involved together. Some they did by themselves and some another juvenile was involved, who was not charged," said Commonwealth’s Attorney Allen Trimble.

The grand jury issued its monthly report Monday and indicted Christopher Bray, 22, James Earl Douglas, 17, Carlton Denver Douglas, 15, and Estel D. Leach, 20, all of Williamsburg for second-degree arson.

Leach is the only one of the four defendants facing two second-degree arson charges in addition to a second-degree persistent felony offender charge.

He has a prior felony conviction for theft by unlawful taking in McCreary Circuit court on March 25, 2014.

On April 18 and April 21, Leach allegedly set fire to an unoccupied residence belonging to Debra Ellis, according to his indictment.

Trimble noted that one of the homes was set on fire twice.

On April 20, Bray allegedly set fire to an unoccupied residence belonging to Diana Lee Partin, according to his indictment.

On April 22, James Douglas and Carlton Douglas allegedly set fire to an unoccupied residence belonging to James and Anna Anderson, according to their indictment.

The Whitley County Sheriff’s Department announced on April 25 that Bray and three juveniles had been arrested in connection with a string of fires at two houses and one trailer on Stringtown Road. A Kentucky State Police arson investigator determined arson was involved.

Because of the fires, the sheriff’s department increased patrols in the area and Sgt. Brian Lawson received an anonymous tip leading to the arrest of Bray and the juveniles, said Sheriff Colan Harrell.

"They said they burned the property down to make it easier to get the scrap metal," Harrell noted.

If convicted of second-degree arson, each defendant could receive up to 10 years in prison. Because the persistent felony offender charge increases the penalties, Leach is facing up to 20 years in prison, if he is convicted.

The grand jury also indicted a Rockholds man Monday morning for allegedly having sex with a female relative.

The grand jury charged Johnny Siler, 51, with incest and third-degree rape.

On July 9, Siler allegedly engaged in sexual intercourse with a relative, who was incapable of consent, according to his indictment.

If convicted he could face up to 10 years in prison on the incest charge and up to five years in prison on the rape charge, Trimble said.

The incest charge is classified as a violent offense in Kentucky meaning 85 percent of that sentence would have to be served before someone would be eligible for parole.

In addition, the grand jury charged Donetta Bell, 23, of Williamsburg, with being a second-degree persistent felony offender.

She has prior felony convictions for first-degree criminal mischief and theft by unlawful taking over $500 but less than $10,000 on April 2, 2011 in Whitley Circuit Court, according to her indictment.

The persistent felony offender charge is in connection with a 2013 indictment for leaving the scene of an accident, which stemmed from a July 21 traffic accident that claimed the life of 45-year-old John Edmond Faulkner.

Faulkner died instantly in a crash along US25W near Saxton despite wearing his seatbelt and the vehicle’s airbags deploying.

His 2001 Mercury Grand Marquis ran off the road and struck a tree, but police say he wasn’t the driver of the vehicle.

After the crash, Bell left the scene of the accident before police arrived.

Right after the accident, she allegedly got a ride to a store in Pleasant View about three miles north of the accident scene.

Harrell said after that, Bell got a ride to a friend’s house in Campbell County, Tenn., and later had to be transported to Jellico Community Hospital by ambulance for treatment.

On Aug. 8, Bell pled guilty to operating a motor vehicle on a suspended/revoked operator’s license in connection with the accident, and was sentenced to 90 days in jail and ordered to pay court costs.

Bell didn’t appear in court Monday in connection with the new indictment or for a hearing in her leaving the scene of an accident case.

Her attorney, James Wren II, withdrew from the case, and Circuit Judge Paul Winchester issued a bench warrant for her arrest in both cases.

According to the grand jury’s monthly report, seven other people were indicted Monday, including:

• Matthew Thomas, 23, of Williamsburg – second-degree persistent felony offender. Thomas charge is in connection with a February indictment where he was charged with first-degree rape, fourth-degree assault and first-degree sodomy. Thomas has a prior felony conviction for first-degree assault under extreme emotional disturbance on Dec. 5, 2013, in Whitley Circuit Court.

• Bret A. Hatfield, 36, of Corbin – first-degree possession by a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia. On May 30, Hatfield allegedly had a quantity of methamphetamine in his possession in addition to syringes, baggies, razor blades, spoons and coffee filters.

• Godfary Finley, 26, of Rockmart, Georgia – first-degree wanton endangerment and first-degree criminal mischief.  On June 11, Finley allegedly manifested extreme indifference to human life by wantonly driving a vehicle and striking Amy Walker’s vehicle causing substantial danger of death or serious physical injury to her. The crash allegedly caused over $1,000 worth of damage to Walker’s 2005 Dodge Ram pick-up truck.

• Michael Windis, 52, of Canada – first-degree possession of a controlled substance. On June 9, Williamsburg Police Officer Brandon White allegedly found a quantity of methamphetamine on Windis.

• Timothy L. Canada, 37, of Williamsburg – receiving stolen property over $500 but less than $10,000. On May 20, Canada allegedly has various items in his possession that had been reported stolen from Harrison Lay.

• Mark Brandon Maynard, 32, of Wayne, West Virginia – first-degree bail jumping. On Feb. 3, Maynard allegedly failed to appear for arraignment in Whitley Circuit Court. Maynard was scheduled to appear in court that day in connection with an Aug. 20, 2012, indictment for first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance.

• Melinda H. Satterfield, 41, of Williamsburg – program assistance fraud. Between Aug. 1, 2011, and May 1, 2013, Satterfield allegedly knowingly made a false statement or misrepresentation or by other means failed to disclose a material fact in determining her qualifications to receive $4,554 in benefits under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.