London man indicted for trying to run over KSP trooper with four-wheeler

A Whitley County Grand Jury indicted a London man Monday morning, who was shot by police in July after he allegedly tried to run over two officers with a four-wheeler,

The grand jury issued its monthly report Monday and indicted William “Billy” Barnhill, 31, on two counts of first-degree wanton endangerment, first-degree fleeing or evading police, operating a motor vehicle while under the influence, receiving stolen property over $500 but less than $10,000, and resisting arrest.

On July 18, Barnhill allegedly manifested an extreme indifference for human life when he wantonly drove a stolen 2004 Honda four-wheeler in such a manner that he tried to strike Williamsburg Police Detective Bobby Freeman and Kentucky State Police Trooper Jeremy Elliotte, according to his indictment.

Elliotte fired two shots from his Glock .40-caliber service weapon striking Barnhill during the incident.

Lt. Claude Little with the KSP Critical Incident Response Team testified during Barnhill’s August preliminary hearing that police developed information that Barnhill, who was wanted on multiple warrants and had previously fled from law enforcement on an ATV, was at a residence on School Road in Rockholds.

State police along with Williamsburg police went to the residence.

Soon after they arrived, an individual on an ATV, later identified as Barnhill, fled the scene, almost striking Freeman. Officers gave chase.

With information from two bystanders Elliotte tracked Barnhill to a wooded area at the top of Gilly Lane, Little testified.
As Elliotte left his cruiser and started up into the woods, Little said the ATV was heard to start and seconds later, came out of the woods and down the hill towards Elliotte.

At that point, Elliotte fired his weapon as Barnhill passed by the trooper.

Barnhill, who is currently incarcerated at the state prison in Lagrange, is scheduled to be arraigned on Oct. 16 in Whitley Circuit Court, according to court officials.

Judge Dan Ballou issued a bench warrant for his arrest Monday, and set a $10,000 cash bond.

The grand jury also indicted Kenneth Wagers, 49, of Corbin, on Monday charging him with first-degree assault, first-degree burglary and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon

On July 7, Wagers allegedly unlawfully entered the residence of Robbie Hill and during the burglary was in possession of a .12 gauge shotgun that he used to shoot Hill causing serious physical injury, according to his indictment.

At the time of the incident, Wagers had previously been convicted of first-degree and second-degree trafficking in a controlled substance and trafficking in marijuana on May 27, 2009, in Whitley County, according to his indictment.

Sheriff Colan Harrell said previously that the victim had been shot in the thigh at a range between four and eight feet.

Harrell said that Wagers allegedly went to the victim’s residence and confronted him before pulling the trigger, but he didn’t know the reason for the confrontation or how the two men knew each other.

Wagers pled not guilty during his arraignment Monday in Whitley Circuit Court.

Ballou scheduled a Nov. 28 pretrial conference in the case, and left Wagers’ bond set at $100,000 cash until he has the chance to review it further.

In addition, the grand jury indicted Jonathan Ryan Centers, 33, and Kendra Sutton Centers, 35, both of Woodbine, for theft of identity.

Jonathan Centers was also indicted for third-degree terroristic threatening. Kendra Centers was also indicted for intimidating a witness and for being a second-degree persistent felony offender.

On July 11, the pair allegedly used David Ellison’s personal information to attempt to obtain various credit cards in his name, according to their indictments.

Jonathan Centers allegedly threatened to kill Ellison, according to his indictment.

Kendra Centers allegedly threatened Ellison, who is a witness in her theft of identity case. She has a prior felony conviction for criminal facilitation to manufacture methamphetamine on Oct. 3, 2012 in Whitley Circuit Court, according to her indictment.

The grand jury also indicted Alisha McElfresh, 41, of Rockholds, for tampering with physical evidence and theft by unlawful taking under $500.