Undercover drug investigations led the Lawrence County Grand Jury to return five secret indictments Monday, county prosecutor J.

Tuesday, February 01, 2000

Undercover drug investigations led the Lawrence County Grand Jury to return five secret indictments Monday, county prosecutor J.B. Collier Jr. said.

Meeting Thursday and Friday, jurors discussed Lawrence County Drug Task Force cases active since September, involving the sale of crack cocaine, prescription pills, marijuana and LSD, said Tim Sexton, the prosecutor’s chief investigator and task force director.

At least five individuals face drug trafficking charges but jurors withheld names of those indicted until law enforcement officials can serve arrest warrants, Sexton said.

The task force combines forces from the prosecutor’s office, Ironton Police Department, South Point Police Department and Coal Grove Police Department to investigate drug crimes. It also operates a 24-hour tipline at 533-5511. Tips on illegal drug activities can be given anonymously.

One other secret indictment, charging an individual with criminal non-support, was also issued, Collier said.

During last week’s session, the grand jury heard 27 witnesses in 16 cases and returned 15 true bills, he said.

Those indictments included:

– Tony Avery, 28, of Grayson: On a charge of burglary, second-degree felony, and aggravated menacing, first-degree misdemeanor, from a Jan. 4 incident.

– Charles Shope, 34, of 620 Lawrence St., Apt. D, Ironton: On two counts domestic violence, felonies. Alleged incidents occurred Nov. 16 and Jan. 16.

– Evonda Hunt, 34, of 301 Third St. East, South Point: On two counts of trafficking in marijuana and possession of criminal tools, which stemmed from a Dec. 30 investigation.

– Sherry Sparks, 32, of 847 N. Fifth St., Ironton: On a charge of driving under the influence, and having three prior offenses within the past six years, fourth-degree felony, stemming from a Nov. 4 incident.

– Don Langdon, 65, of 95 Private Drive, Chesapeake: Five counts of felonious sexual penetration. The alleged incidents occurred when the victim was 6 to 10 years old, September 1990 until 1994, according to the indictment.

– Gary Fykes, 29, of 37 Northcott Ct., Huntington, W.Va.: On two counts trafficking in cocaine, with a firearms specification, third-degree felony, and carrying a concealed weapon, fourth-degree felony. The alleged incident occurred Jan. 5.

– Phillip Collins, 41, of 1123 S. Fifth St., Ironton: On a charge of burglary, from a Dec. 21 report, fourth-degree felony.

– Billy Leadingham, 56, of 359 County Road 1, South Point: On a charge of grand theft, fourth-degree felony, stemming from incidents occurring between July 1 until Jan. 3.

– Kenneth Sherman, 35, of 2146 County Road 55, Ironton: On charges of burglary, second-degree felony, and assault of a peace officer, fourth-degree felony. The alleged incident occurred Sept. 2.

As filed, an indictment only charges a person with a crime and is not an indication of guilt or innocence.