The Hopkins County Grand Jury has indicted several individuals on a range of felony charges, following investigations into incidents involving wanton endangerment, arson, and fleeing from law enforcement.
Billy Carter of Madisonville was indicted on first-degree wanton endangerment and first-degree arson charges.
The charges stem from a March 9 incident when Madisonville Police responded to a fire at a personal care home on Givens Street, where residents were inside. According to police, an investigation found that Carter set fire to cardboard boxes placed next to a large propane tank beside the building.
Police said Carter then moved the burning boxes from the propane tank and placed them next to an air conditioning unit by the building. The Madisonville Fire Department put out the fire, and no injuries were reported.
Robert Keown of Madisonville was indicted on charges including being a felon in possession of a firearm, using restricted ammunition, second-offense possession of methamphetamine, fleeing or evading police, and persistent felony offender.
The charges come from the night of March 24, when Madisonville Police said officers attempted to stop a dirt bike leaving the Hucks gas station on South Main Street. Officers said the dirt bike, driven by Keown, had no taillights or headlamps. Instead of stopping, Keown reportedly fled from police.
The chase continued onto West Jagoe Street, where authorities said Keown sped through a yard alongside the railroad tracks. The pursuit ended when his dirt bike got stuck in a ditch. After a short foot chase, police said Keown surrendered without further incident.
Separate indictments were issued for Morgan Henderson and Austin Rudd, both of Madisonville, each facing three counts of first-degree wanton endangerment. According to the indictment, the charges are from an alleged incident on March 5 that was investigated by Madisonville Police.
Ronzay Buckner of Indianapolis, Indiana, was indicted on multiple felony charges, including wanton endangerment, fleeing or evading police, tampering with evidence, and marijuana trafficking, following a high-speed police pursuit on Interstate 69 on February 27.
