The Christian County Grand Jury returned indictments Friday for strangulation, wanton endangerment, and assault of a police officer.
62-year old Kenneth Ray White of Crofton was indicted for four counts of first-degree wanton endangerment, first-degree criminal mischief and two counts of menacing. The charges stem from September 6 when the Christian County Sheriff’s Officer reported deputies responded to call of shots fired toward two teenagers on an ATV in the area of Dawson Springs Road and Hart Road. The arrest report said White was upset because the ATV was loud and bumped it with his truck, which ejected one of the teenagers. He then allegedly fired his gun and hit the ATV twice. The teenagers were able to get away and call law enforcement.
The grand jury indicted 50-year old Archie Joe Atkins of Hopkinsville for first-degree unlawful imprisonment, first-degree strangulation, first-degree wanton endangerment, and fourth-degree assault – domestic violence. Hopkinsville Police say Atkins was arrested and charged on September 29 after an altercation with his wife at a home on East 12th Street in which he backed her into a room and attempted to shoot her, but she was able to run out of the home.
Joseph William Smith of Crofton was indicted for first-degree burglary, kidnapping, resisting arrest, and third-degree assault of a police officer. Hopkinsville Police arrested Smith on June 13 after officers reported he forced his way into Grace Episcopal Church and held a female victim at knifepoint as she begged for her life. During the attack, officers said the victim was pushed to the ground and injured her knee, but she was able to lock Smith inside a bathroom and then called the police. Upon arrival, Smith allegedly came at officers and would not put the knife down, causing police to taser him multiple times.
