Grand jury indicts four

A Letcher County Grand Jury returned indictments against four people in Letcher Circuit Court.

Those indicted and the charges against them are:

• Jason Dwayne Griffie, also known as Jason DeWayne Griffie, 38, of 796 Low Gap Branch, Isom, is charged with first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance (drug unspecified), first-degree possession of a controlled substance (drug unspecified), use/possession of drug paraphernalia, first-degree promoting contraband and first-degree persistent felony offender.

The indictment says that on or about Dec. 13, 2019, Griffie was in possession of a plastic bag of pills while in the Letcher County Jail. Deputy Jail Elena Hensley testified in the case.

• Donald Collins, 19, of 1111 Pine Creek Road, Mayking, is charged with first-degree fleeing or evading police, second-degree fleeing or evading (on foot), reckless driving, speeding more than 8 miles per hour above the limit, disregarding a stop sign, disregarding traffic control device (traffic light), failure of non-owner operator to maintain insurance, no/ expired registration receipt and failure to register transfer of a vehicle. The charge stems from a pursuit by Kentucky State Police Trooper Wade Adams on Aug. 13, 2019. Adams testified in the case.

• Kristina Danyale Branham, 35, address unknown, is charged with use/possession of drug paraphernalia, first-degree promoting contraband and second-degree persistent felony offender.

The indictment accuses Branham of being in possession of multiple pills and a powdered substance while in the Letcher County Jail on December 13, 2019. Deputy Jailer Elena Hensley testified before the grand jury.

• Thomas Edward Bates, 53, of 517 Millstone Road, Millstone, is charged with failure to wear a seat belt, operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs (second offense within 10 years), refusal to submit to chemical testing, first-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine), use/ possession of drug paraphernalia and operating on a suspended/revoked operator’s license.

The grand jury is accusing Bates being found driving under the influence during a traffic stop on Dec. 8, 2019. Kentucky State Police Trooper Wade Adams testified in the case.