Greenup indictments include criminal syndicate

Apr. 29—GREENUP — Three defendants charged with engaging in organized crime lead the list of indictments out of Greenup County last week after collaborative efforts between prosecutors and Greenup County's Sheriff's Office led to enhanced charges.

Billy Ray Rowe, 49, Jennifer R. Barber, 34, and Melissa F. Winn, 38, all from Argillite, were officially charged under a criminal syndicate statute with engaging in organized crime and trafficking methamphetamine.

According to the release from Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney Joe Merkel, he worked alongside the sheriff's department who conducted the investigation to bring about the criminal syndicate charge to "properly (reflect) the severity of the crimes committed by these individuals."

According to the indictment, the trio were charged as a criminal syndicate for working alongside one another, by providing materials or acting as an accomplice, to illegally traffic more than 2 grams of methamphetamine.

Trafficking in a controlled substance is a class C felony, which carries a possible punishment of up to 10 years in prison.

However with the enhanced organized crime charge, a class B felony, each of the three defendants could see a 20-year prison stay, if convicted and given the maximum punishment.

"Today's indictments are an example of what can be accomplished when our offices work together," the press release states.

In addition to the organized crime and trafficking charges, Rowe was indicted in a separate case on charges of tampering with physical evidence and possession of a handgun by a convicted felon.

It should be noted that an indictment does not mean a defendant is automatically guilty.

An indictment only indicates a panel of jurors gave the Commonwealth the all clear to continue prosecution after the grand jury heard evidence or testimony from the prosecution.

The following individuals were also indicted by the grand jury April 25:

—Robert Kyle Parker, 34, of Flatwoods, was indicted on charges of third-degree burglary and theft of moveable property for allegedly taking $600 owned by Safeway Taxi in May 2023.

—Zachary Robert Gleason, 36, of Portsmouth, was indicted on charges of receiving stolen property and other traffic-related violations.

—Cecil Randy Wayne Gordon, 41, of Rush, was indicted on charges of trafficking 2 or more grams of fentanyl, tampering with physical evidence and receiving stolen property with a persistent felony offender enhancer.

—Austin Shawn Dewees, 24, of Olive Hill, was indicted on a sole count of second-degree burglary with a persistent felony offender enhancer.

—Everett Lee Daniels, 58, of Ashland, was indicted on a sole count of trafficking less than 2 grams of methamphetamine.

—Braden Joseph Crabtree, 23, of Waverly, Ohio, was indicted on charges of trafficking more than 2 grams of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of marijuana and other traffic-related violations.

—Don Robert Davis, 38, of Greenup, was indicted on a sole count of receiving stolen property by allegedly receiving a Miniature American Shepherd stolen from Petland.

—Dakoda Shane Bowling, 34, of South Shore, was indicted on a sole count of theft by failure to make required disposition of property for allegedly failing to install a swimming pool after being contracted to do so. Bowling is also charged as a first-degree persistent felony offender.

(606) 326-2652 — mjepling@dailyindependent.com