The Breathitt County Grand Jury convened in regular session on Tuesday, December 9, to hear testimony and determine if enough evidence exists to charge individuals for various alleged crimes. The Grand Jury returned indictments against ten individuals, including:
Leila Colwell, 38, of Rocklick Road, was indicted on one count of Possession of a Controlled Substance in the First Degree after she was allegedly found with Fentanyl on July 26, 2025. According to testimony by Sheriff John Hollan, Colwell possessed “a quantity of Fentanyl,” which is a Class D Felony.
A criminal summons was issued for Colwell, and her arraignment was set for December 19.
Jessica Collins, 35, of Mill Creek Road, was indicted on one count of making a False Statement or Misrepresentation to Receive Benefits over $1,000.00. According to the indictment, Collins received benefits based on the false statements between June 1, 2014, and June 30, 2020, during which time she collected $37,373.10.
Testimony from Keena Cole, an investigator for the Cabinet for Health and Family Services, told members of the Grand Jury that Collins committed the Class D Felony when she “knowingly and unlawfully committed welfare fraud by failing to report their correct household composition, with the intent to defraud.”
A criminal summons was issued for Collins, and her arraignment was set for December 12.
William Fugate, 32, of Robinson Road, was indicted on one count of Criminal Mischief in the First Degree after he allegedly committed the Class D Felony on September 11, 2025. According to the indictment, Fugate intentionally damaged property belonging to Dana Fugate, causing more than $1,100 in damages based on testimony from Trooper Dawson Duff.
A criminal summons was issued for Fugate, and his arraignment was set for December 19. Judge Lisa Whisman reinstated his bond from Breathitt District Court.
According to the indictment, Burgett committed the offense of Criminal Trespassing when he “knowingly and unlawfully came onto the property of Denise May” and allegedly “intentionally damaged property,” a Class D Felony. Bail for Burgett was set at $500 cash, and he was ordered to appear in Breathitt Circuit Court.
Two Breathitt County residents were charged with Bail Jumping by the Breathitt County Grand Jury after hearing testimony from Gena Terry of the Breathitt County Circuit Clerk’s Office. Indicted were:
Charles Russell, 44, of Caden Avene, was indicted on one count of bail jumping when he “intentionally failed to appear” in Breathitt Circuit Court on November 7, 2025, to answer to a criminal case from 2024. The new indicted charge is a Class D Felony. Bail for Russell was set at $5,000 cash, and an arrest warrant was issued.
Jeffery W. Noble, 32, of Helton Lane, was indicted on one count of bail jumping when he “intentionally failed to appear” in Breathitt Circuit Court on October 10, 2025, to answer to a criminal case from 2025. The new indicted charge is a Class D Felony. Bail for Noble was set at $5,000 cash, and an arrest warrant was issued.
The Grand Jury also returned five indictments for Flagrant Non-Support against four individuals who had amassed more than $75,000 in arrears for child support payments. More information about those indictments may be found in another article in this week’s edition of The Jackson Times-Voice.
An indictment is the formal charging of a crime and does not indicate guilt.
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