Embezzling, drugs leads indictments
By Greg Bird
birdman@tmcvoice.com
The Tennessee woman accused of embezzling more than half a million dollars from McCreary County Hardwoods was one of eight indictments released by the McCreary County Grand Jury this month.
Ann Massengale, of Pioneer, was formally indicted on 10 counts of Theft by Unlawful Taking of the Value of $10,000 or more. Massengale was arrested last month after it was alleged she embezzled more than $700,000 from McCreary County Hardwoods over a 10-year period. The thefts allegedly began in 2009 and persisted through 2018. Massengale reportedly took amounts ranging from $38,000 to $97,000 over each of the past 10 years.
At the time of the original arrest KSP Detective Billy Correll stated the owner of the business first noticed possible irregularities in the company’s finances late last year and conducted an internal audit. Once evidence of possible embezzlement was discovered, the Commonwealths Attorney’s office was contacted and a Kentucky State Police investigation initiated.
Massengale, at the time an employee of the business, was apparently writing checks made out to her from the company account, then using the accounting software to conceal the transactions.
James Mondie, of Somerset, was charged with counts of Operating a Motor Vehicle While Under the Influence of Intoxicants and Possession of a Controlled Substance for allegedly being found with a quantity of methamphetamine on February 3 and while driving under the influence.
Timothy Hoskins, of Pine Knot, was indicted on a count of Possession of a Controlled Substance after reportedly being found with a quantity of methamphetamine on March 10.
Norman Walker, of Stearns, was charged with Fleeing or Evading Police, Operating a Motor Vehicle While Under the Influence of Intoxicants and Possession of a Controlled Substance for allegedly being caught driving on February 11 while under the influence, trying to elude capture by disobeying a directive to stop by law enforcement and being found with a quantity of methamphetamine.
Russell West, of Stearns, was indicted on a count of Possession of a Controlled Substance for reportedly being found with a quantity of methamphetamine on January 24.
Jimmie Troxell, of Whitley City, was charged with a count of Operating a Motor Vehicle While Under the Influence of Intoxicants, Fourth Offense for allegedly being found operating a vehicle on March 8 while under the influence. Troxell had three prior OUI convictions since 2010, the latest occurring in McCreary County in April of last year.
Tony Ridner, of Parkers Lake was charged with a count of Operating a Motor Vehicle While Under the Influence of Intoxicants, Fourth Offense for allegedly being found operating a vehicle on March2 8 while under the influence. Ridner had three prior OUI convictions between 2012 and 2013.
He was also charged with being a Persistent Felony Offender following a 2017 felony conviction in McCreary County Circuit Court.
Tristen Young was indicted on counts of Possession of a Handgun by a Convicted Felon, Operating a Motor Vehicle While Under the Influence of Intoxicants, Operating on a Suspended or Revoked Operators License and Carrying a Concealed Deadly Weapon. The charges stem from an April 16 incident when Young was reportedly found to be driving under the influence and while carrying a handgun after a previous felony conviction in 2003.
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.
