The Newton County Grand Jury reconvened on Sept. 23, 2024, and issued several indictments for serious offenses, including drug possession, home repair fraud, kidnapping, statutory rape, and first-degree murder. Below are the details of each case:
Darrin Kelly Nicholson has been indicted for possession of methamphetamine. Nicholson allegedly had between 0.1 grams and 2 grams of methamphetamine in his possession on or about Sept. 6, 2022.
Kiara Lashay Cooks faces two indictments. In the first, Cooks is accused of selling or delivering methamphetamine to a confidential informant with the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics on Dec. 15, 2022. The amount involved was between 2 grams and 10 grams. In the second indictment, Cooks is charged with possessing between 2 grams and 10 grams of methamphetamine on July 25, 2023.
Keith Arthur Rice has been indicted for home repair fraud. Rice is accused of entering into a contract with Grady and Dorris Morris for brickwork improvements between July 16, 2023, and Sept. 1, 2023. He allegedly promised to complete the work, valued at between $5,000 and $10,000, but had no intention of doing so.
Donald Maury Walley was indicted on a kidnapping charge. Walley allegedly forcibly seized and confined Bethany Culpepper without lawful authority on Sept. 29, 2023, with the intent to imprison her against her will.
Wesley Keith Wilcox has been indicted for statutory rape. Wilcox is accused of having unlawful sexual intercourse with a child under 14 years old on July 21, 2023, at a time when he was more than 24 months older than the child and not married to her.
Michael Lavon Nixon faces charges of driving under the influence, marking his fourth or subsequent offense. Nixon allegedly drove a vehicle on May 5, 2024, while his blood alcohol content was over the legal limit of 0.08%. He had previously been convicted of DUI three or more times.
Wendell Bradley Smith has been indicted for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Smith allegedly had a Stoeger P350 12-gauge shotgun in his possession on April 2, 2024, despite being a convicted felon. He is also classified as a habitual offender due to previous felony convictions, including felony DUI in March 2006 and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon in March 2024.
Fedarius Lemonte Lindsey faces a first-degree murder charge. Lindsey is accused of deliberately killing Kendrick Jamal Evans on Dec. 24, 2023, in Newton County.
Cody Alexander Embrey was indicted for capital murder. Embrey allegedly killed Ruby Embrey on Dec. 27, 2021, while committing the felony of child abuse or battery. The indictment states that Embrey intentionally struck or abused the child, leading to her death.
Alan Wayne Nichols has been indicted for home repair fraud. Nichols is accused of fraudulently entering into a contract with Ricky Bishop for remodeling work, on or about Sept. 7, 2023 and Feb. 15, 2024, promising services he did not intend to provide. The contract was valued at $10,000 or more.
Carlton Theodore Shepherd, II faces an indictment for felony fleeing. Shepherd allegedly failed to obey a law enforcement officer’s signal to stop his vehicle on May 2, 2024, and continued to drive recklessly, endangering others.
Tonya Rene Adkins has been indicted for possession of methamphetamine. Adkins is accused of having between 2 grams and 10 grams of the controlled substance in her possession on June 16, 2023.
Prentiss Clayton Herring faces charges for possession of methamphetamine. Herring allegedly had between 0.1 grams and 2 grams of the substance in his possession on May 6, 2023.
Dusty Jay Lutts was indicted on two counts: possession of methamphetamine and possession of alprazolam. Lutts is accused of possessing between 0.1 grams and 2 grams of methamphetamine and less than 100 dosage units of alprazolam on May 6, 2023.
Christopher Lee Brooks has been indicted for possession of methamphetamine. Brooks allegedly had between 0.1 grams and 2 grams of methamphetamine in his possession on Dec. 31, 2022.
Regan Nicole Thomas faces charges of methamphetamine possession. Thomas is accused of having between 0.1 grams and 2 grams of the drug in her possession on May 16, 2023.
Jake Davis Morgan has been indicted for possession of methamphetamine. Morgan allegedly had between 0.1 grams and 2 grams of the substance in her possession on Feb. 7, 2023.
Sonya D. Shortridge has been indicted for possession of methamphetamine. Shortridge allegedly had between 0.1 grams and 2 grams of the substance in her possession on Feb. 16, 2023.
Richard Daniel Talbert has been indicted for possession of methamphetamine. Shortridge allegedly had between 0.1 grams and 2 grams of the substance in her possession on June. 3, 2023.
Alexander Gomez was indicted for gratification of lust. Gomez is accused of unlawfully touching a child under the age of 16 for sexual gratification on June 3, 2024.
Leonard Bernard Merrell faces an indictment for possession of methamphetamine and a firearm enhancement. Merrell allegedly possessed between 0.1 grams and 2 grams of methamphetamine on Nov. 23, 2022 and had a Taurus 9mm handgun at the time of his arrest.
Britney Paige Gardner has been indicted for possession of methamphetamine. Gardner allegedly had between 0.1 grams and 2 grams of the drug in her possession on Jan. 19, 2023.
Anna Davis faces charges of methamphetamine possession. Davis is accused of possessing between 0.1 grams and 2 grams of the controlled substance on Dec. 6, 2022.
Eric Wesley Taylor was indicted for human trafficking. Taylor is accused of coercing, recruiting, or transporting Kristy Hallifax on Augu. 21, 2023, with the intent to subject her to forced labor or commercial sexual activity.
Stacey Lindall Lewis faces a first-degree arson charge. Lewis allegedly set fire to a dwelling belonging to Sandra Doerner on August 30, 2022. He is also classified as a habitual offender, having previously been convicted of grand larceny and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
