By Jeremy D. Wells
Carter County Times
Judge Rebecca Phillips held a hearing and set further court dates last Monday in a case stemming from the October arrest of an Olive Hill man on a string of domestic violence and child abuse charges.
Tristan Mitchell, 28, was arrested back on October 6 of 2023 following a series of allegedly violent incidents. His charges included a second degree domestic violence assault, a Class C Felony; first degree wanton endangerment, a Class D Felony; first degree sodomy by forcible compulsion in conjunction with domestic violence with serious physical injury, a Class A Felony; fourth degree child abuse, a Class A Misdemeanor; intimidating a participant in the legal process, a Class D Felony; first degree strangulation, a Class C Felony; tampering with physical evidence, a Class D Felony; kidnapping a minor, a Class B Felony; second degree unlawful imprisonment, a Class A Misdemeanor; first degree criminal mischief for destruction of property, a Class D Felony; and first degree criminal abuse of a victim 12 or under, a Class B Felony.
A grand jury returned an indictment on those charges on April 5, setting the stage for the defense’s May 20 appearance before the judge. Phillips set another pretrial conference in the case for June 3.
Phillips also set June dates for further action in several other cases, including the sexual abuse case of Kimberly Blevins; the domestic violence case of Thomas Leslie, who rejected the initial offer relating to his alleged violation of an emergency protection order/domestic violence order (EPO/DVO) and assault; the sexual abuse of a minor case against Noah Miller; the terroristic threatening and witness intimidation case against Brandon Morgan; the rape and sexual abuse of a minor case of Jeremiah James; the drug trafficking case of Chasity Williams; the dating violence case of Matthew Stegall; the sodomy, child pornography possession, and use of electronics to procure a minor charges against Upenyu Gogo; and the sexual abuse of a minor case against Jonathan Justice.
A July date was set for a status hearing in the sexual abuse of a minor case against Freddie Sexton.
The judge heard bond revocation arguments in the cases of Danny Lawhorn, and Kimi Hamm, for flagrant non-support, and had motions withdrawn in several other flagrant non-support cases.
Probation was revoked after Stephen Campbell admitted his violation of the agreement in his 2022 case of methamphetamine possession, wanton endangerment, and endangering the welfare of a child.
The judge reached an agreement in the drug possession case of Shawn Ison, with the defendant admitting his violation and agreeing to long term treatment.
Brian Kees was sentenced in his reckless driving case, with no fines or restitution required and court costs waived. Stephen Campbell was also sentenced on his charges of unlawful transactions with a minor, procuring or promoting use of a minor by electronic means, and distributing obscene material to minors. Carl Burnett was sentenced in a case of first degree sexual abuse of a victim under 12. Jeremy Arthur was sentenced to fines, fees, and court costs totaling $1,390 after pleading guilty to operating a motor vehicle under the influence and possession of heroin. Scott Tabor was found guilty on charges of trafficking in heroin and possession of carfentanil or fentanyl derivatives after labs returned positive, with a sentencing hearing set. Danny Mullins was also found guilty in his fentanyl possession case, with sentencing conducted. Bobby Harris was found guilty of receiving stolen property, with no fines or restitution, but court costs of $165.
Judge Rupert Wilhoit, on Wednesday, sentenced Staci Porter to 90 days and two years of probation on a shoplifting charge.
Contact the writer at editor@cartercountytimes.com
