PAINTSVILLE – Two people from Salyersville were included in indictments that were handed down earlier this month by a Johnson County grand jury:
Katelyn Allen, 31, of Salyersville, is charged with theft by unlawful taking $1,000, but under $10,000.
According to the indictment, on or before April 16, 2022, Allen allegedly took numerous items from Walmart of Paintsville worth approximately $1,820.
Richard L. Connelley, 69, of Salyersville, was charged with impersonating a peace officer (now dismissed); operating a motor vehicle while under the influence; possession of marijuana; failure to produce an insurance card and excessive window tint. According to the indictment, on or before March 17, Connelley allegedly represented himself to Paintsville Police Officer Tyler Cable as a peace officer with the Magoffin County Sheriff’s Department; he operated a motor vehicle while his ability to operate the vehicle was impaired due to alcohol and/or drugs; he was in possession of a tin can used to store marijuana; he operated a motor vehicle without a required insurance card and the vehicle he was operating had excessive window tint.
Important to note, after the indictment was released, Circuit Judge J. Kevin Holbrook issued an amended order, dismissing the case with prejudice in circuit court and remanding it to district court. According to the amended order, the Commonwealth had motioned to have the first count, impersonating a peace officer, dismissed. Since that was the only felony charge, that sent the now misdemeanor case back to district court, with Connelley facing the charges of operating a motor vehicle while under the influence; possession of marijuana; failure to produce an insurance card and excessive window tint. A pretrial conference is scheduled for May 10 in Johnson County District Court and the felony charge is to be automatically expunged from his record.
Included in the court documents filed on April 25 was an affidavit of former Magoffin County Sheriff Carson Montgomery, who stated he did not release or dismiss Connelley from his oath or duty as a Magoffin County Special Deputy, noting that he had “loyally, faithfully and fearlessly served” Montgomery for 11 years.
Former Magoffin County Judge/Executive Dr. Charles Hardin also signed a letter stating that while he was judge/executive he approved and administered the oath of office to special deputies, including Connelley, noting “It is my understanding that no time frame or term of service was included with these appointments.”
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
