SALYERSVILLE – A Magoffin County grand jury handed down the seven indictments on Thursday, November 2, with charges ranging from DUI to the sexual abuse of a child.
Matthew Tackett, 42, of Twin Lick Road in Salyersville, is charged with two counts of first-degree sodomy, victim under 12 years of age (Class A felonies); first-degree rape, victim under 12 years of age (Class A felony); and four counts of first-degree sexual abuse, victim under 12 years of age (Class C felonies). According to the indictment, on or about February 12, 2018, through February 11, 2020, Tackett allegedly engaged in deviate sexual intercourse with a person less than 12 years of age at least twice, engaged in sexual intercourse by forcible compulsion with a person less than 12 years of age, and subjected a person to sexual contact at least four times who was incapable of consent because the child is less than 12 years old.
Ashley Tackett, 39, of Twin Lick Road in Salyersville, is charged with complicity to first-degree sexual abuse, victim under 12 years of age (Class C felony). According to the indictment, on or about February 12, 2018, through February 11, 2020, Tackett allegedly acted in complicity with Matthew Tackett, when he allegedly subjected another person who is less than 12 years old to sexual contact.
Matthew and Ashley Tackett, a married couple, are both scheduled to be arraigned on November 16, 2023, at the Magoffin County Justice Center. Ashley was given a summons to court at the request of the Commonwealth, and Matthew was issued a warrant. The warrant was served on November 3 and he was taken to the Big Sandy Regional Detention Center, he was released on bond six hours later, pending future court dates.
Jared Steven Vanhoose, 40, of Allen Drive in Salyersville, is charged with one count of operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs, fourth offense or greater, with aggravating circumstances (Class D felony). According to the indictment, on or about May 23, 2023, Vanhoose allegedly operated a motor vehicle while under the influence, being his fifth offense within the last 10 years. In a separate indictment, Vanhoose was also charged with one count of possession of a handgun by a convicted felon (a Class C felony), for reportedly possessing a handgun at the time of his May 23, 2023 arrest. Vanhoose was issued a warrant for arrest, which was served on November 4, and he was taken to the Big Sandy Regional Detention Center, where he remains at press time. He is scheduled to be arraigned on November 16 in Magoffin County court.
Eric Howard, 37, of South River Road in Salyersville, is charged with first-degree possession of a controlled substance, first offense, methamphetamine (Class D felony); and operating vehicle with expired operator’s license (Class B misdemeanor). According to the indictment, on or about August 7, 2023, Howard alleged possessed a quantity of methamphetamine and drove a vehicle while his operator’s license was expired. A warrant was issued against Howard and he was taken into custody on November 3, remaining in the Big Sandy Regional Detention Center at press time. He is also scheduled to be arraigned on November 16.
Gabrielle Fletcher, 24, of U.S. 460 West in Salyersville, is charged with the following: first-degree possession of a controlled substance, third or greater offense, methamphetamine (Class D felony); second-degree terroristic threatening (Class D felony); second-degree wanton endangerment of a police officer, (Class A misdemeanor); resisting arrest (Class A misdemeanor); second-degree disorderly conduct (Class B misdemeanor); menacing (Class B misdemeanor); and obstructing a highway (Class B misdemeanor). According to the indictment, on or about August 15, 2023, Fletcher allegedly possessed a quantity of methamphetamine, threatened and put a police officer in danger, resisted arrest, and obstructed a highway by sitting in the middle of it. A warrant was issued for Fletcher’s arrest, and she was already being held at the Big Sandy Regional Detention Center on unrelated charges. She is also scheduled to be arraigned on November 16 in Magoffin County court.
Shannon Price Prater, 45, of Barbara Lou Salyer Lane in Salyersville, is charged with first-degree fleeing and evading police, on foot, (Class D felony); first-degree possession of a controlled substance, first offense, methamphetamine (Class D felony); tampering with physical evidence (Class D felony); possession of drug paraphernalia (Class A misdemeanor); and no operator’s moped license (Class B misdemeanor). According to the indictment, on or about August 21, 2023, Prater allegedly ran from police on foot after being given directions to stop, then ran, again, while in custody and in handcuffs, running approximately 250 feet before being apprehended, again. The indictment also alleges that he possessed a quantity of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia, as well as operated a moped without having a valid operator’s license. A warrant was issued against Prater and he was arrested on November 3, still being held at the Big Sandy Regional Detention Center at press time and scheduled for an arraignment on November 16 in Magoffin County court.
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.
