By Heather Clower
The Parsons Advocate
The Grand Jury of the Tucker County Circuit Court was in session to hear several indictments. There were nine individuals on the docket with a wild array of charges from conspiracy to assault.
Matthew Bradley Brogan was charged with fleeing from an officer with reckless indifference, breaking and entering, two counts of possession of a stolen vehicle, and persons prohibited from possessing firearms. He and Jamie A. Ferguson, appearing later in the day, were partners in a multitude of thefts taking place in the Limestone vicinity. Ferguson was charged with two counts of burglary, breaking and entering, grand larceny, fleeing from officer with reckless indifference, fleeing with damage, possessing a stolen vehicle, destruction of property, and two counts of assault on a law enforcement officer. Both Brogan and Ferguson were indicted and arraigned on these charges on October 7. Witnesses for these cases were Deputy D.A. Sliwinski and TFC J. Schmidle.
Charles Michael McCrum appeared on the following charges: five counts of sexual assault in the first degree, ten counts of sexual abuse by a parent, guardian, or custodian, and five counts of sexual abuse in the first degree. Witness for these incidents is Deputy D.A. Sliwinski.
McCrum was arraigned on these charges and will be appearing in court with the Honorable Judge James Courrier.
Appearing again before the Grand Jury was Lester Mook. His previous charges were dropped due to a typographical error; therefore, the process has begun a new. Mook has been charged with grand larceny, receiving/transferring/concealing stolen property, and possession of a stolen vehicle. Mook will appear before Judge Courrier on these charges. TFC J. Schmidle is the witness for these charges.
Executive Director of the Solid Waste Authority, Steven Moore appeared on six counts of embezzlement and one count of fraudulent schemes. The witnesses for these charges are Mike Taylor and Elmo Philips, investigators with the State Auditor’s Office.
Joshua Swisher appeard with two conspiracy charges and two grand larceny charges. Swisher allegedly stole two log trailers from the area of Kidwell’s and they were found in the possession of Mario Orellana. Orellana is also charged with two counts of conspiracy. Witness for these charges is Sergeant David Simmons.
Frederick S. Herz, co-owner of Timberline Resort, found himself back in Tucker County Circuit Court with a new set of charges. Herz was indicted on five charges of fraudulent schemes with TFC J. Schmidle serving as the witness.
David B. Stover also appeared before Grand Jury. He has pending charges of wanton endangerment involving a firearm, assault during commission of or attempt to commit felony, and unlawful restraint. Serving as witness in these charges was Depty D.A. Sliwinski.
All defendants were indicted on their charges by the Grand Jury and appeared again for arraignment on October 7 before the Honorable Judge James Courrier. Also appearing that day was Andrew Goss. Goss had his water shut off by the City of Parsons which he unlawfully turned back on. During the time he was illegally utilizing city water, a leak developed resulting in the loss of approximately 1 million gallons of water. Goss was charged with grand larceny, which he plead guilty to. It was agreed to divert the charges, sentencing Goss to three years’ probation and full restitution to the city. If debt is paid in full within 18 months, Goss will be released from probation and the charges will be reduced to petite larceny, a misdemeanor instead of a felony.
The Honorable Judge Lynn Nelson also held a hearing on October 15 to schedule a trial date for Jason White, charged with murder. The evidence that was sent to an expert has yet to be reported on, though it is hopeful it will be back by Thanksgiving. With that timeframe, Judge Nelson scheduled a three day trial for White on February 24, 25, and 26, 2020.