MOUNT VERNON — Indictments were returned in 10 cases on April 7 by a Knox County grand jury for various felony crimes. Arraignments are scheduled for April 18 at 9 a.m. in the Knox County Court of Common Pleas before Judge Otho Eyster.
According to Knox County Prosecutor John Thatcher, Shawn G. Williams, 31, Howard, was indicted for rape and gross sexual imposition for allegedly engaging in sexual conduct and having sexual contact with two girls between January 2003 and December 2007; both girls were under the age of 10. Thatcher said the alleged sexual molestations occurred on more than one occasion at Williams’ apartment and when Williams took the girls camping. The case was investigated by Knox County Children Services, with the assistance of the Child and Family Advocacy Center at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, and by Detective Sgt. Jeff Jacobs, Mount Vernon Police Department.
David L. Boyd, 20, Mount Vernon, is accused of unlawful sexual conduct with a minor for engaging in sexual intercourse with a 14-year-old girl at his apartment, on Dec. 27, 2007.
Michael R. Smithhisler, 20, Mount Vernon, is charged with unlawful sexual conduct with a minor for engaging in sexual intercourse with a 15-year-old girl at a Mount Vernon residence, beginning in May 2007.
Detective Tom Bumpus, Knox County Sheriff’s Office, investigated the Boyd and Smithhisler cases.
According to the indictment, Paul D. Azbell, 45, Mount Vernon, burglarized a Mount Vernon residence on March 31. Thatcher said that at 5:25 p.m., when Patrolman Justin Trowbridge, MVPD, responded to a burglary report, the resident stated she found Azbell allegedly removing items from the residence. After Azbell left, the resident discovered the home had been ransacked. Trowbridge determined the suspect’s identity from the victim’s description of Azbell and from the license plate on his vehicle.
Michael C. Goines, 24, Mount Vernon, and Tiffany L. White, 21, Walhonding, face indictments charging them with theft of checks, possession of stolen checks and forgery. Thatcher said that on Feb. 4, Trowbridge took a report of a stolen checkbook. By tracking where the stolen checks were passed, Trowbridge was able to obtain store surveillance video showing Goines and White allegedly using the stolen checks to purchase merchandise.
On Feb. 13, Patrolman Jason Payne, MVPD, took a report that Randy S. Turner, 34, address unknown, allegedly stole a bank card and was using it to buy items at various businesses. By tracking where the stolen credit card was used, Payne was able to obtain store surveillance video showing Turner allegedly using the stolen bank card.
Justin L. Musgrave, 20, and Mandy Musgrave, 18, Mount Vernon, are both accused of possessing a stolen credit card. On Feb. 18 Payne took a report of a credit card stolen from a vehicle. Store surveillance video shows the Musgraves allegedly using the stolen credit card to purchase items.
Steven R. O’Neal, 34, Obetz, is charged with failing to provide adequate financial support for his children. Thatcher said that between April 1, 2006, and April 1, 2008, O’Neal made no child support payments, although the Knox County Child Support Enforcement Agency determined he was employed during that time. O’Neal allegedly owes his children over $5,000 in court-ordered child support for the 24-month period.
An indictment is merely an allegation and all suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.