Officer involved shooting suspect indicted

By Greg Bird
birdman@tmcvoice.com

The Harlan County man involved in a police chase that ended with him being shot after attempting to run over State Police Troopers on January 31 has been indicted by the McCreary County Grand Jury, one of 14 individuals charged this month.

Jerry Collette, 61, of Coldiron, was indicted on counts of Wanton Endangerment in the First Degree, Fleeing or Evading Police in the First Degree, and Criminal Mischief in the First Degree for his reported role in the events of that evening.
According to the Kentucky State Police a McCreary County Sheriff’s Deputy initiated a traffic stop on a 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle on Kentucky Highway 92 at approximately 8:00 p.m. Kentucky State Police Troopers also responded to the scene to assist. During the course of the stop, officers learned Collett had outstanding felony warrants and was a wanted fugitive. Collett was asked to exit his vehicle, but refused, instead pulling away and fleeing the scene.
A pursuit began with Collett traveling along Highway 1651 before turning on to Highway 1567 where he lost control of his vehicle and stopped adjacent to a local business.
Troopers exited their patrol vehicles and approached the subject’s car to make an arrest, Collett reportedly attempted to strike the officers with his vehicle, prompting them to fire their service weapons, striking Collett.
Collette was also charged with being a persistent Felony Offender after previous convictions in Harlan County in 2009 and 2003.
Charity Genoe, of Stearns, was indicted on a count of Resisting Arrest and two counts of Assault third degree for allegedly attempting to prevent Deputy Charles Perry and Constable Donald Daugherty from placing her under arrest in January, and in the process hitting, biting and kicking the two officers – causing physical injury. Genoe was also charged with one count of Public Intoxication for reportedly being manifestly under the influence of intoxicants in a public place.
Casey Goodin was indicted on a count of Failure to Comply with Sex Offender Registration for reportedly neglecting to report a change of address to the KSP Sex Offender Registry.
Roscoe Garland, of Pine Knot, and Angela Ward, of Whitley City, were charged with Trafficking in a Controlled Substance and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia for allegedly being found with over two grams of methamphetamine for the purpose of sale and items commonly used for the ingestion and/or distribution of illegal controlled substances on October 29.
Garland also faces Persistent Felony Offender charges after previous felony convictions in 1997 and 2008.
Tarence Jeffers was indicted on a count of Bail Jumping for reportedly failing to appear in McCreary Circuit Court on felony charges pursuant to the terms of a bail bond on February 1. Jeffers was also charged with being a Persistent Felony Offender after previous felony convictions in 2014.
Cody Stephens, of Whitley City, was indicted on two counts of Fleeing or Evading Police, and counts of Trafficking in a Controlled Substance, Assault, Carrying a Concealed Deadly Weapon, Possession of a Controlled Substance, Operating a Motor Vehicle Under the Influence of Intoxicants, Resisting Arrest and Leaving the Scene of an Accident. According to the indictment Stephens allegedly failed to obey signals from Trooper Donnie Jones to stop his vehicle and stop running on January 18. While reportedly driving under the influence, Stephens was involved in an accident causing serious physical injury to a passenger in the vehicle and failing to render aid to the passenger. Stephens reportedly was in possession of two loaded pistols, a quantity of Xanax and resisted attempts to place him under arrest.
Tonia Terry and Curtis Lynch, both of Whitley City, were charged with Criminal Abuse in the First Degree for allegedly intentionally abusing their then three-month-old infant child, placing the child in danger of death or serious injury on June 22, 2017.
Justin Musgrove, of Strunk, was charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance First Degree for reportedly being found with a quantity of methamphetamine on September 11, 2017.
Dewayne Perkins, of Pine Knot, was indicted on a count of Possession of a Controlled Substance First Degree for reportedly being found with a quantity of methamphetamine on February 6.
William H. Kennedy, of Parkers Lake was charged with Possession of a Handgun by a Convicted Felon, Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon and Trafficking in Marijuana of more than 8 ounces but less than 5 pounds for allegedly having a quantity of marijuana for the purpose of sale on February 2, while in possession of a handgun and firearm.
Corey Jeffers, of Revelo, was charged with Theft By Unlawful taking of the Value of $500 or more for allegedly knowingly and unlawfully taking wheels from a subject on November 27, 2017.
David Shelton, of Whitley City, was indicted on counts of Trafficking in Marijuana of more than 8 ounces but less than 5 pounds, Trafficking in a Controlled Substance First Degree and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia for reportedly being found to be in possession of a quantity of marijuana and methamphetamine for the purpose of sale and items commonly used for the ingestion and/or distribution of illegal controlled substances on October 15, 2017.

The Voice would like to remind our readers that an indictment is not an indication of one’s guilt or innocence, but represents that enough evidence exists in a case to pursue the matter in a court of law.