Monday's Internet Edition, February 08, 2010.

Paul Samuel Perkins, 19, of 1595 Ripley Rd., Spencer, allegedly set fire to three homes last October while the occupants were inside, including two elderly women who are his neighbors. Perkins is facing three counts of attempted murder and 1st degree arson.

He is also charged with one count of 3rd degree arson for setting fire to his father’s company truck that was parked overnight in the family’s driveway. Perkins was a member of Spencer-Roane Volunteer Fire Dept. at the time. A department spokesman said Perkins was the one who reported the truck fire and fought the blaze until other firefighters arrived.

Perkins was arrested in December and was free on bond while the charges were pending.

Chief Deputy Todd Cole of the Roane Sheriff’s Dept. presented the case to the grand jury.

Others indicted include a Catholic priest from Ohio (see separate story) accused of molesting a 10-year-old boy nearly 20 years ago and several persons previously arrested on drug and theft charges.

The return of an indictment by a grand jury is not a finding of guilt, only an indication jurors felt there was enough evidence to bring the charges to trial.

The two-day jury session concluded Wednesday afternoon. Other indictments returned were:

ν Brittany D. Jeffers, 20, of 103 George St., Spencer for burglary. She is the third person charged in connection with the theft of a gun safe from the Larry Brannon residence in July 2008. Police said several guns were stolen after the safe was removed from the wall with a chain saw. State Trooper S.E. McCullough testified.

ν Richard Coe, 52, of 107 Church St., Spencer on three counts of failure to register as a sex offender. Coe allegedly failed to register with State Police in December 2008, then later failed to give information about his vehicle or a change in his address. State Police Cpl. F.L. Hammack testified.

ν Jeffery McLaughlin, 49, of 240 Birch St., Gassaway for possession of methamphetamine and marijuana, in each case with intent to deliver. Police allegedly found the drugs in his vehicle in a traffic check on Grannies Creek Road in March 2009. Sheriff’s Deputy Matthew “Bo” Williams testified.

ν Kevin Ray Waggoner, 29, of 13 Camelot Dr., Spencer for failure to pay child support. Waggoner allegedly owes more than $9,600 dating back to 2006. State Police Sgt. Brad Snodgrass testified.

ν Marvin Holstein, 37, of 114 Laurel Run Rd., MacFarlan for entry without breaking, assault and trespassing. The charges allege he climbed in the window of Jessica Jett’s home last March. Deputy Mike King presented the case.

ν Matthew Jonathan Robey, 32, of 110 Dillan Hts., Summersville for kidnapping. The charges allege he abducted a woman last August and forced her to drive him from the scene of an accident on I-79. Police said she eventually escaped by locking him out of the car. Trooper McCullough testified.

ν Curtis “Abe” Little, 49, of 62 Lynch Ridge, Walton for two counts of illegal possession of an explosive material. The charges allege he had blasting caps without a permit from the state fire marshal’s office. Deputy King testified.

ν Leslie A. Fields, 47, of 3502 Lick Fork Rd., Spencer for malicious assault and possession of marijuana. The charges allege he shot his brother, Rex Fields, with a .22 pistol in October. Deputy King testified.

ν Aaron Lloyd, 24, of 1527 Jesses Run Rd., Arnoldsburg for fleeing causing injury, battery on a police officer and reckless driving. He allegedly refused to stop just before the kids’ parade at the W.Va. Black Walnut Festival and, when a police officer tried to stop him, pinned his arm in the vehicle and dragged the officer down the street. The victim, Spencer Police Lt. Clint Wilson, testified.

ν Randall Bruce Murphy, 41, of 325 Middle Fork, Reedy and Emory Theodore Greathouse Jr., 43, of 304 Imperial Gardens, Spencer for receiving stolen property, 3rd degree arson and two counts of conspiracy for allegedly setting fire to a stolen truck last July. Cole testified.

ν Justin L. Smith, 21, of 305 Witcher Creek Rd., Belle; Johnnie T. Summers III, 22, of Elkview and Ashley B. Carte, 20, of 483 Coopers Creek Rd., Big Chimney for burglary, grand larceny, destruction of property and conspiracy involving the August theft of two flat screen televisions, a computer and projector from the Amma Road home owned by Jeffery Holbert. Deputy King testified.

ν Benny Michael Anderson, 58, of Elkview for operating a clandestine drug lab, attempting to manufacture methamphetamine and possession with intent to deliver as well as exposing a first responder to methamphetamine. Police allegedly raided the lab in a trailer Anderson rented on U.S. 119 south of Walton last October. Lt. Jeff Smith of the Sheriff’s Dept. was treated after inhaling fumes in the raid. Cole presented the case.

ν David Allen Rowe, 22, of 638 Spring Creek, Spencer for 1st degree sexual abuse, sexual abuse by a parent, guardian or custodian and domestic battery. He allegedly abused a 19-month-old girl left in his care by the girl’s mother in December. Cole testified.

ν James William Drake Jr., 38, and Anita Greathouse, 31, of 374 Big Sandy Rd., Newton for three counts each of child abuse resulting in injury and domestic battery. The charges allege the couple physically abused her three children, ages 6, 8 and 12 years, in December. Cole testified.

ν Aaron Paul Rucker, 44, of 1682 River Rd., Walton for wanton endangerment involving a firearm, attempting to disarm an officer and battery on a police officer and EMS personnel. The charges involve two alleged incidents on New Year’s Day in which Rucker fired three shots from beneath a bridge on River Road and later tussled with his sister over a rifle when he threatened to kill himself in his home. Deputy King testified.

ν Christina Payne, 28, of 3573 Charleston Rd., Gandeeville for grand larceny of more than $17,000 in 2008 from an elderly woman in her care. Cpl. Hammack testified.