Robbery tops list of indictments

PRESTONSBURG – The trio arrested in April for attempting to rob Earl Castle’s Jewelry in Prestonsburg has been indicted by a Floyd County grand jury.

Robbie Dean Ward, 21, of Sitka, Zachary A. Blair, 22, of Paintsville, and Laura Lewis, 19, of Van Lear, were indicted for allegedly conspiring to rob a display case from the Court Street business on April 20.

Blair faces counts of second-degree robbery, third-degree criminal mischief and a single count of persistent felony offender in connection to past felony charges.

Ward also faces a count of second-degree burglary and a count of third-degree criminal mischief, while the indictment handed down against Lewis has her facing a single count of complicity to robbery.

According to police, the robbery was planned as the trio took a display case from the business and tried to flee from the scene in their vehicle and then later on foot.

Police said the store owner, Earl Castle, first tried to catch Ward and Blair, but was unable. The two were later captured by Prestonsburg Police Officers about a block from the store after they had abandoned the vehicle and started to run on foot.

“The three of them, the two guys and the girl, came in and I guess they were casing the place,” Mike Castle said on the day of the attempted robbery. “They came back an hour or so later, just the two boys, grabbed the case and ran.”

Lewis was found a short time later, two blocks from the scene, while using a cell phone to get a ride, officers said at the time.

Others indicted this past week include:

Amanda M. Marney, 31, Lenoir City, Tenn.; first-degree possession of a controlled substance, possession of marijuana, controlled substance not in original container, public intoxication.

Danny Wayne Hall, 26, Printer; first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance, controlled substance not in original container, public intoxication.

Larry O. Blackburn, 50, Betsy Layne; second-degree burglary, first-degree criminal mischief, second-degree fleeing or evading police, theft of a controlled substance, first-degree persistent felony offender.

Brett Michael Combs, 22, Allen; second-degree burglary, first-degree criminal mischief.

Kevin Hall, 25, Weeksbury; reckless driving, first-degree fleeing or evading police, four counts of first-degree wanton endangerment, operating a motor vehicle while license revoked or suspended for driving under the influence, second-degree fleeing or evading police, second-degree persistent felony offender.

Terry M. Boyd, 44, Langley; reckless driving, operating a motor vehicle while under the influence, first-degree wanton endangerment, no or expired kentucky registration plates, disregarding traffic control device, first-degree fleeing or evading police.

Deanna Simpson, 34, Pineville; third-degree escape.

Gregory Gibson, 31, Martin; theft by unlawful taking or disposition.

Robert L. Powers, 22, Auxier; theft by unlawful taking or disposition.

Michael Crum, 37, Allen; flagrant nonsupport.

Brian Burke, 37, Hager Hill; first-degree fleeing or evading police, second-degree disorderly conduct, operating a motor vehicle while license revoked or suspended, third-degree possession of a controlled substance, first-degree wanton endangerment, menacing, tampering with physical evidence, resisting arrest, operating a motor vehicle while under the influence, leaving the scene of an accident and failure to render aid or assistance, persistent felony offender.

Russell Neeley, 53, Hueysville; possession of a handgun by a convicted felon, tampering with physical evidence, persistent felony offender.

Cisco Neeley, 55, Hueysville; second-degree assault, first-degree unlawful imprisonment, terroristic threatening, tampering with physical evidence, second-degree wanton endangerment, persistent felony offender.

Phillip P. Wilkerson, 32, Prestonsburg; trafficking in marijuana, first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance, second-degree trafficking in a controlled substance, third-degree trafficking in a controlled substance, controlled substance not in original container, possession of drug paraphernalia, persistent felony offender.