Highland County grand jury indicts 11 in Aug. 1 session
A Hillsboro man was indicted on five first-degree felony counts of rape, and a pair of Greenfield men are facing first-degree felony drug charges, following the Tuesday, Aug. 1 Highland County grand jury session.
Brandon C. Fuller, 31, of Hillsboro, was indicted on five counts of rape, a first-degree felony. The indictment alleges that Fuller “did engage in sexual conduct” with a minor victim during an approximate one-year period.
In an unrelated, joint indictment, Scott A. Clay, 54, and Isaac Garrison, 23, both of Greenfield, were charged with aggravated trafficking in a fentanyl-related compound and aggravated possession of a fentanyl-related compound, both first-degree felonies. Clay was additionally charged with a fifth-degree felony count of aggravated trafficking in a fentanyl-related compound.
The indictment alleges that on or about July 6, Clay and Garrison “did knowingly obtain, possess or use,” and “did knowingly prepare for shipment, ship, transport, deliver, prepare for distribution or distribute,” a fentanyl-related compound in an amount equal to or exceeding 20 grams but less than 50 grams. Clay’s fifth-degree felony charge stems from a separate date in July.
Other indictments included the following:
• James Allen Freeman, 70, of Hillsboro was charged with having weapons while under disability, a third-degree felony; retaliation, a third-degree felony; aggravated possession of methamphetamine, a fifth-degree felony; and a forfeiture specification.
The indictment alleges that on or about July 17, Freeman “did knowingly acquire, have, carry or use” a weapon despite not having been released from disability, due to having a prior felony drug trafficking conviction. The weapon is subject to forfeiture.
On the same date, it is alleged that Freeman “did purposely and by lawful threat of harm … retaliate against a public servant because the public servant discharged his/her duties as a public servant.” He is also accused of “knowingly obtaining, possessing or using” meth on the same day.
• Derrick Ison Sr., 41, of Hillsboro was charged with domestic violence, a third-degree felony. He is accused of “knowingly causing or attempting to cause physical harm” to a victim in July.
• Trenton A. Zumwalde, 27, of Greenfield was charged with having weapons while under disability, a third-degree felony. It is alleged that on or about May 28, Zumwalde “did knowingly acquire, have, carry or use” two different weapons. Zumwalde was not released from disability due to having previous felony convictions of drug trafficking and possession, the indictment alleges.
• Lindsey B. Adams, 39, of Wilmington was charged with grand theft of a motor vehicle, a fourth-degree felony. The indictment alleges that on or about June 22, Adams “did knowingly obtain or exert control over” a Mazda “with the purpose to deprive” the vehicle’s owner.
• Mandy Jo Knisley, 47, of Greenfield was charged with two counts of breaking and entering, a fifth-degree felony; and one count of theft, a first-degree misdemeanor.
The indictment alleges that on or about June 30 and on or about July 1, Knisley “did knowingly, by force, stealth or deception trespass” into an unoccupied Greenfield residence. During the period of June 30-July 2, Knisley is accused of “knowingly obtaining or exerting control” over “meat, bait and tackle and other miscellaneous items” from a victim.
• In a joint indictment, David M. Bailey, 40, of Leesburg, and David Lee Jones, 38, of Hillsboro, were charged with breaking and entering, a fifth-degree felony, and theft, a first-degree misdemeanor.
The indictment alleges that on or about May 16, Jones and Bailey “did knowingly by force, stealth or deception trespass in an unoccupied structure” in Hillsboro. On the same date, the defendants are accused of “knowingly obtaining or exerting control over … miscellaneous tools” from two victims.
• Beverly A. Nesbit, 71, of Hillsboro was charged with one count of theft by deception, a fifth-degree felony. It is alleged that between July 2022 and April 2023, Nesbit “did knowingly obtain or exert control over” $2,100.50 in U.S. currency by deception from a Highland County victim.
An indictment is merely a charge and is not evidence of guilt.