Man gets life in prison for rape

May 11--A South Point man convicted of first-degree rape and third-degree gross sexual imposition, both with a minor, was sentenced to life in prison in Judge Charles Cooper's courtroom Tuesday, with the possibility of parole after 15 years.

Matthew Mullens, 24, previously pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity in the case, but was unsuccessful, before rejecting the prosecution's final offer before trial began last month.

Mullens' rape charge stated that he engaged in sexual conduct with a minor under the age of 13, while his gross sexual imposition charge stated that another child, under the age of 13, was caused to have sexual contact with another adult, Franklin S. Woods, who is currently serving a 30-year sentence.

Mullens will be eligible for parole after 15 years, and if released, will have to register as a Tier 3 sex offender for the rest of his life.

In other cases in Cooper's courtroom, Terrell Adams, 30, of Detroit, Michigan, pleaded not guilty to one count of first-degree trafficking in drugs and one count of third-degree tampering with evidence. Cooper set bond at $100,000 cash or surety. Pre-trial was set for May 31.

Christina Anderson, 38, of Ironton, pleaded not guilty to one count of third-degree trafficking in drugs, one count of third-degree possession of drugs and one count of possession of drug paraphernalia, a fourth-degree misdemeanor. Cooper set a $50,000 property bond and a $50,000 OR bond. Pre-trial was set for May 24.

Jason Ball, 41, of Ironton, pleaded not guilty to one count of fourth-degree driving under the influence. Cooper set bond at $10,000 cash or surety.

Jack Cremeans, 30, of Ironton, admitted CCS violations. Cooper sentenced him to five months in prison.

Billy C. Edwards, 34, of Milton, West Virginia, pleaded not guilty to one first-degree count of trafficking in drugs, one second-degree count of possession of drugs, one first-degree count of trafficking in heroin, one second-degree count of possession of heroin, two third-degree counts of trafficking in drugs and one fourth-degree count of improperly handling a firearm in a motor vehicle. Cooper set bond at $50,000 cash or surety and $50,000 OR. Pre-trial was set for May 17.

Jeffrey Holley, 32, of Proctorville, pleaded guilty to one count of fourth-degree assault. Cooper sentenced him to four years CCS with ISP and 34 months reserved, and ordered him to complete STAR.

Jeremy Smith, 26, of Ann Arbor, Michigan, previously pleaded guilty to one count of second-degree possession of drugs and one count of second-degree trafficking in drugs. Cooper sentenced him to four years in prison with credit for time served and ordered him to pay a $7,500 fine.

In Judge Andy Ballard's courtroom, Ryan Detamore, 24, of Proctorville, appeared for sentencing nearly three years after his original sentencing date in November 2014.

Detamore's original charges included fourth-degree theft of a motor vehicle and fifth-degree theft.

The prosecution pushed for sentencing to send a message about not showing up on a court order, however, the defense argued that house arrest would be a sufficient sentencing, stating that it would save the state money and prison bed space.

Detamore admitted that he was a six-year heroin addict, and that he was using at the time of his original sentencing date. He said that he has been clean for about a year and a half now, and also has a three and a half month old daughter.

Detamore's mother, one of the victims of the case, was in attendance in court, and pushed for her son not to serve time, stating that he has his life back on track and the only reason his family pressed charges originally was to try to get him help.

Ballard sentenced Detamore to 17 months in prison on count one and 11 months in prison on count two to run concurrently for a total of 17 months in prison. Ballard added that he will consider judicial release after 30 days if he remains on the right path, and would be no longer than three months.

Teddy Moore, 54, of South Point, pleaded guilty to four counts of trafficking in methamphetamine. Ballard sentenced him to five years in prison with credit for 43 days served.

Homer Anson, 30, of South Point, pleaded not guilty to one third-degree count of domestic violence. Ballard kept his bond at $10,000 cash or surety.

Derek Goorey, 27, of Ironton, previously pleaded guilty to one count of third-degre domestic violence and one fourth-degree count of disrupting public services. He was originally sentenced to complete STAR, but was medically discharged and appeared for a re-sentencing. Ballard sentenced him to four years CCS with ISP with 17 months reserved, 200 hours community service and 30 days in the county jail. He also ordered him to attend all of his health services and take all of his prescribed medications.

Michelle Norris, 30, of Ironton, pleaded not guilty to one fifth-degree count of possession of drugs and one count of possession of drug abuse instruments, a second-degree misdemeanor. Ballard continued bond at $75,000 cash or surety and added a $25,000 OR bond. Pre-trial was set for May 24.

Tisha Ramey, 30, of Huntington, West Virginia, pleaded guilty to two counts of receiving stolen property. She is currently involved in a West Virginia drug court, in which Ballard sentenced her to finish, as well as four years CCS with ISP with 22 months reserved and 200 hours community service.

Christopher Conwell, 35, of South Point, pleaded guilty to one count of fourth-degree complicity to trafficking in drugs and one count of fifth-degree trafficking in heroin.

Ballard sentenced him to 12 months in prison with three years post release control and credit for 27 days served and ordered him to pay his fines. Conwell also admitted to CCS violations, in which he was sentenced to 150 days in prison, which will be included in his first sentencing running concurrently.

Travis Everman, 35, of South Shore, Kentucky, pleaded guilty to one count of fourth-degree theft from the elderly. Ballard sentenced him to four years CCS with ISP with 17 months reserved, and ordered him to complete STAR.

John Pennington, 52, of Coal Grove, pleaded not guilty to one fourth-degree count of domestic violence and one fourth-degree count of disrupting public services. Ballard continued his $20,000 OR bond. Pre-trial was set for May 31.

Joseph Wilson, 30, of Ironton, pleaded not guilty to one fifth-degree count of possession of drugs and one count of possession of drug abuse instruments, a second-degree misdemeanor. Ballard continued his bond at $75,000 cash or surety and $15,000 OR. Pre-trial was set for May 24.

Jalen White, 21, of South Point, pleaded not guilty to one fifth-degree count of trafficking in marijuana and one count of operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs, a first-degree misdemeanor. Ballard continued bond at $10,000 cash or surety and added a $15,000 OR bond. Pre-trial was set for May 24.

Tyler Privette, 22, of Upton, Kentucky, pleaded not guilty to one third-degree count of trafficking in marijuana and one fourth-degree count of improperly handling a firearm in a motor vehicle. Ballard set bond at $15,000 cash or surety.

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