Published: June 27, 2009 10:04 pm      

Man gets reduced charges in abuse and sodomy case

A Madison County grand jury issued a new indictment Thursday on sodomy and sexual abuse charges for a Richmond man.

Ronnie King, 62, of Milton Lane, initially was indicted on first-degree sodomy and first-degree sexual abuse charges, but the new indictment includes alternative charges of third-degree sodomy and six counts of second-degree sexual abuse.

The reduced alternative charges are because the victim in the alleged assaults is mentally retarded, according to the new indictment returned Thursday.

The first-degree charges accused King of committing the acts “by forcible compulsion,” but King’s attorney, Jerry Gilbert, had raised the issue of whether prosecutors could demonstrate forcible compulsion and as a result, prosecutors chose to resubmit the charges to the grand jury under a different theory of the case.

Under state law, third-degree sodomy is a Class D felony punishable by up to five years in prison, while second-degree sexual abuse is a Class A misdemeanor punishable by up to a year in jail for each count.

King also faces four counts of incest in a case that was severed from the other charges against him. Those charges involve alleged sexual encounters between King and his half-sister between 1983 and 1986.

A trial is set for Oct. 26 in that case before Madison Circuit Judge Jean C. Logue.



Other indictments

• David Kelly, 22, no address listed, for theft by unlawful taking, more than $300. If convicted, Kelly could receive up to five years in prison. (RPD)

• Anthony Johnson, 28, of the 200 block of Lynn Court, Berea, for 14 counts of second-degree criminal possession of a forged instrument, theft by unlawful taking, less than $300, and a first-degree persistent felony offender charge. If convicted, each of the forged instrument charges would be punishable by up to 10 years in prison each. The theft charge is punishable by up to 12 months in jail if convicted. (RPD, MSO)

• Alicia Wilson, 22, and Randy Gabbard, 25, both of the 100 block of Morning View, Berea, for receiving stolen property, more than $300. If convicted, each could receive up to five years in prison.

• Edgar McQueen, 37, of Hamilton, Ohio, for first-degree fleeing or evading police and aggravated driving under the influence, first offense. If convicted, he could receive up to five years in prison for the fleeing charge. (KSP)

• Bobby Miller, 32, of the 400 block of Mason Lake Road, Berea, for first- and third-degree possession of controlled substances, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia. If convicted, he could receive up to five years in prison for each of the controlled substances charges and up to a year in jail each on the marijuana and drug paraphernalia charges. (KSP)

• Darvis McIntosh III, 30, of Twin Lakes, Richmond, for flagrant non-support and a first-degree persistent felony offender charge. If convicted, he could receive up to 10 years in prison. (Child Support Office)

• Billy Jack Chadwell, 29, of the 1200 block of Mason Lake Road, Berea, for theft by unlawful taking, more than $300. If convicted, he could receive up to five years in prison. (RPD)

• Joshua S. Sparks, 24, of the 100 block of Baumstark Road, Waco, for first-degree burglary. If convicted, he could receive 10 to 20 years in prison.

An indictment is a formal statement of charges and does not imply guilt.



Brian Smith may be reached at bsmith@richmondregister.com or at 624-6694.