SALYERSVILLE – Several cases came to a conclusion in Magoffin County Circuit Court recently, with the following judgments and sentencings handed down by Circuit Judge Kimberley Childers in June.
Jeremiah D. Crowder, 42, of Charleston, WV, pleaded guilty in May via a plea deal on the charge of theft by deception – cold checks, $1,000 less than $10,000, Class D felony.
According to the indictment, issued in November 2025, he obtained a check in the amount of $3,792.18, with the intent to deprive Salyersville National Bank.
On June 22, Crowder was sentenced to five years in prison, to be probated for a period of five years. Per the plea agreement, the charges of second-degree criminal possession of a forged instrument (Class D felony) and second-degree forgery (Class D felony) were dismissed at sentencing on June 22.
Crowder is also ordered to pay restitution to Salyersville National bank in the amount of $3,792.18, to be paid at a rate of $100 per moth until paid in full.
Jesse Hicks, 43, of Morehead, was sentenced to two years and one day to serve for the charge first-degree possession of a controlled substance, first offense, methamphetamine (Class D felony). Per his plea agreement, his other charges were dismissed.
Hicks was given credit for time served in custody prior to sentencing and is to be committed into the custody of the Department of Corrections to serve his imprisonment.
Terman R. Howard, 36, of Salyersville, also took a plea deal on the charge of possession of a controlled substance, first degree, first offense, methamphetamine (Class D felony), and was sentenced to three years in prison to be probated for a period of three years. He is to complete the Primary Care/Beacons of Hope Coordinated treatment of substance abuse.
His other charge of tampering with physical evidence was dismissed.
Gary Anthony Patrick, 52, of Salyersville, was sentenced to 5 years to be probated for a period of 5 years for the amended charged of trafficking in a controlled substance, first degree, first offense, drug unspecified (a Class D felony). He is required to complete the specialty court program, undergo a substance abuse evaluation and follow through with all recommendations made as to treatment. He was given credit for time served and will be required to undergo random drug and/or alcohol screens during his period of probation. He is also required to perform 20 hours per week of community labor for Magoffin County during any period when he is not employed full time. Per his plea agreement, his other drug-related charges were dismissed.
Kristina M. Vanhoose, 43, of Prestonsburg, was sentenced to 3 years in prison, to be probated for 3 years for the charge of possession of a controlled substance, first degree, first offense, a Class D felony. Per her plea agreement, her other charges were dismissed. She was credited with time spent in custody prior to sentencing, is required to complete the specialty court program, and must undergo a substance abuse evaluation and follow through with all recommendations.
Andrew G. Nielson, 44, of Salyersville, took a plea deal, pleading guilty to the charge of convicted felon in possession of a handgun, a Class C felony, and was sentenced to 5 years in prison. In a separate case, he similarly pleaded guilty to the charge of possession of a controlled substance, first degree, fentanyl, a Class D felony, and was given 3 years in prison for that charge. His other charges were dismissed and he was given credit for time served. The two sentencings are to run concurrently alongside his federal sentence, in which he also pleaded guilty to the charge of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and given a total of 56 months in prison and 3 years supervised release.
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.
