Grand jury hands down 19 felony indictments

The Lavaca County grand jury handed 19 felony indictments when it met for its regular monthly hearing of cases at the county courthouse on Thursday, Aug. 18.

Drug offenses and assaults/threats of violence topped the cases, making up 16 of 19 cases presented, eight cases involving alleged drug possession and eight more dealing alleged acts/threats of violence.

Do remember that an indictment does not necessarily mean that a person is guilty of the crime(s) listed. It does indicate, however, that prosecutors have enough evidence to proceed with a criminal trial, at which time the courts will determine the guilt or innocence of the accused.

The indictment is the formal instrument which begins those proceedings.

Those receiving indictments on Aug. 18, along with the crime for which they are accused, were as follows: 

• Davion July Arazate, for marijuana possession in a drug-free zone.

• Claxton Ray Butler-Norman, for controlled substance possession with intent to deliver.

• Brian Alonzo Ford, for unlawful firearm possession by a felon.

• Tammy Marie Grahmann, for tampering with a witness.

• Joshua Michael Henneke, for controlled substance possession.

• Stephanie Rae Johnson, for controlled substance possession.

• Donald Keith Kirkman, for controlled substance possession.

• Jordan Nathaniel Land, for assault against emergency services personnel.

• Armando Isaiah Salinas III, for marijuana possession in a drug-free zone, firearm theft and property theft valued between $2,500 and $30,000.

• David James Simmons, for assault of a peace officer.

• Eddie Van King, for controlled substance possession.

• April Janetz Widger, for controlled substance possession.

• Neil Scott Williams, for three counts of public servant harassment and two counts of terroristic threat against a peace officer or judge.