SALYERSVILLE – Two indictments handed down earlier this year in Magoffin County Circuit Court were released last Thursday, with both defendants arrested and served with warrants last week.
Anthony Taulbee, 47, of Middle Fork Road, in Salyersville, is charged with one count of first-degree sexual abuse and one count of third-degree rape, both Class D felonies. According to the indictment, on or about March 1 through June 1, 2018, Taulbee allegedly subjected another person to sexual contact by forcible compulsion. On or about March 1 through August 12, 2018, he is accused of engaging in sexual intercourse with another person less than 18 years old and while he was a person in a position of authority or special trust.
In 2018, Taulbee was employed by Magoffin County Schools and was a high school criminal justice teacher.
Magoffin County Schools Superintendent Chris Meadows told Mortimer Media Group, “We have been made aware of the charges filed against Mr. Taulbee. Mr. Taulbee has been suspended without pay from Magoffin County Schools since February 2022. We will monitor this situation and act according to statute. We will always keep our students’ safety and best interest as our main priority.”
Meadows also confirmed that there are two other ongoing investigations that the district has turned over to Kentucky State Police involving alleged inappropriate contact or misconduct between two former teachers and students – one a high school teacher and one a middle school teacher – both unrelated to this case and to each other.
The grand jury handed down the charges against Taulbee on July 6, 2023, but he wasn’t arrested until June 19, after which his indictment was released to the public.
According to court records, Taulbee’s bond is set at $20,000 cash. With jail records unavailable at press time due to a technical issue at the Big Sandy Regional Detention Center, it is unknown if he has been released as of this time. Some of the conditions of release set by the court for Taulbee include that he is to: not violate any local, state, or federal laws; not to consume any alcohol or illegal drugs, not possess any weapons, report to pretrial services; random drug testing; no illegal use of alcohol or controlled substances; make all scheduled court appearances; have no contact with the alleged victim or their family; not leave the state of Kentucky; and notify pretrial services of any address changes.
A pretrial hearing is scheduled in Taulbee’s case for September 18, 2023.
Berlin Hall, 50, of Calvin Cain Road, in Salyersville, was indicted on June 1, 2023, with the warrant being served on July 20 and his charges released to the public: first-degree assault (Class B felony); failure to register transfer of a motor vehicle (Class A misdemeanor); operating a motor vehicle under the influence of a controlled substance, second offense, aggravating circumstances (Class B misdemeanor); and failure of non-owner to maintain required insurance, first offense (Class B misdemeanor). According to the indictment, on or about August 9, 2022, through August 10, 2022, Hall allegedly intentionally caused physical injury to another person by means of a deadly weapon or a dangerous instrument. Hall also is alleged to have failed to register the transfer of a motor vehicle which he was operating, failed to maintain required insurance, and operated a motor vehicle while under the influence of a controlled substance.
The indictment was reportedly the result of a head-on collision that occurred last year, with another person flown out for serious injuries.
After his arrest on July 20, Hall’s bond was set at $20,000, with similar conditions of release set by the court. His next court date is slated for September 21, 2023.
Editor’s Note: The indictment or charge of a person by a grand jury or otherwise is an accusation only and that person is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
