Anthony Cloud
Staff Writer
Indictments have been handed down for two individuals that were arrested on kidnapping charges.
Linda S. Graster, 37 of Middlesboro, and Jerry Lee Oliver, 46 of Detroit, Mich., allegedly kidnapped a juvenile with the intent to inflict bodily injury or terrorize the individual, according to the indictment.
Approximately three months ago, the two individuals were arrested on the charges. Graster and Oliver allegedly entered a residence near Airport Road and forced the 13-year-old boy into their vehicle and drove off, according to Middlesboro Police Chief Jeff Sharpe.
Residents inside the house called the Middlesboro Police Department and gave a description of the vehicle. Officers with the MPD stopped the vehicle around 21st Street.
According to Sharpe, Graster and Oliver were involved in a dispute over stolen property, and they believed the child had some information about it. The minor is not related to either of the individuals involved in the kidnapping.
Harvey Johnson and Floyd Patterson were the arresting officers at the scene. Other officers acting as witnesses included: Josh Pratt, Sgt. Ben Spurlock and Brad Cawood.
Also indicted recently was Johnny W. Wilder.
Wilder, 46 of Miracle, was indicted on the charge of first-degree wanton endangerment. He allegedly placed a gun to the head of Ernest Whitehead and threatened to shoot him.
This created a substantial danger of death or serious physical injury to Whitehead the indictment states. Witnessed to the incident included deputies Erik Saylor and Mike Cooper of the Bell County Sheriff’s Department.
Other indictments handed down includes the following:
Thurston C. North, 56 of Pineville, was indicted on the charge of receiving stolen property over $500;
Terry L. Taylor, 26 of Pineville, was indicted on the charge of theft by unlawful taking over $500 and for being a persistent felony offender;
Mitchell V. Helton, 69 of Hulen, was indicted for failure to comply with sex offender registration;
Michael Shane Williams, 36 of Middlesboro, was indicted on two counts of theft by deception under $500, one count of theft by deception over $500 and for being a persistent felony offender;
Bennie J. Cavins, 27 of Pineville, was indicted on the charge of theft by unlawful taking over $500 and for being a persistent felony offender;
Debra E. Cunniff, 26 of Pineville, was indicted on the charge of theft by unlawful taking over $500;
Steven Michael Washam, 42 of Middlesboro, was indicted on the charge of theft by unlawful taking over $500;
Wesley A. Thomas, 34 of Middlesboro, was indicted on the charge of theft by unlawful taking under $500, third-degree trafficking a controlled substance, tampering with physical evidence and for being a persistent felony offender;
Jessica Brown, 25 of Middlesboro, was indicted on four counts of second-degree criminal possession of a forged instrument;
Jennifer Nicole McCreary, 24 of Tennessee, was indicted on the charge of first-degree possession of a controlled substance, tampering with physical evidence and giving officer false name or address;
Joshua Lee Buttery, 36 of Middlesboro, was indicted on the charge of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and first- and third-degree possession of a controlled substance.
An indictment is an accusation only. Those indicted are to be considered innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.
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