Grand jurors returned four true bills Tuesday against Jerry Smith, the Ironton man accused in a December robbery and hostage situation at a city gas station.

Wednesday, January 10, 2001

Grand jurors returned four true bills Tuesday against Jerry Smith, the Ironton man accused in a December robbery and hostage situation at a city gas station.

Smith, 24, faces charges of first-degree felony rape, fourth-degree felony sexual imposition, second-degree kidnapping and second-degree felony robbery, Lawrence County prosecutor J.B. Collier Jr. said.

Collier said he will handle the case against Smith, as well as the real estate office shooting case.

"I think it’s my job to handle them personally when the cases are as serious as these," he said.

Smith was arrested Dec. 13 after a three-hour standoff with Ironton police at Speedway at 720 S. Third St., according to Ironton Police Department reports.

At 3:30 a.m., an unidentified customer who attempted to enter Speedway became suspicious when the door was found locked, IPD detective Capt. Chris Bowman said.

Officers forced their way inside the gas station, where they were advised by the attendant that she was being held at gunpoint. Police later found out that the weapon was a large pen.

Smith allegedly entered the gas station, locked the door and then forced the attendant into the office telling her he was armed and wanted the store’s money, Bowman said.

He gave himself up three hours later.

Once arrested, a background check revealed Smith had several previous criminal convictions and was on probation, Bowman said.

Collier expects the case to move quickly through court.

"It was a hostage situation and the police got him at the scene," he said. "He’ll have a hard time explaining his way out of that."