The Christian County Grand Jury returned several indictments Friday, including on charges of sexual abuse, robbery, burglary, and theft.
A true-bill was returned on 48-year old Kenneth Patrick Horst, of Hopkinsville, on five counts of promoting a sexual performance by a minor under 16 years of age, three counts of first-degree sexual abuse – victim under 12 years of age, one count of first-degree sexual abuse, and five counts of first-degree indecent exposure.
Between January 2016 and December 2018, according to the indictment, Horst allegedly committed the offense of promoting a sexual performance by a minor under 16 years of age by producing, directing, or promoting two minor victims in a sexual performance on at least five separate occasions. In addition, Horst is accused of making sexual contact with the same two minors on three separate occasions during this same time period, along with exposing his genitals to the victims on five separate occasions.
39-year old Earlesia Renae Montgomery, of Hopkinsville, was indicted on charges of second-degree robbery, first-degree wanton endangerment, first-degree fleeing and evading police, two counts of fourth-degree assault, second-degree criminal mischief and first-degree disorderly conduct.
The indictment alleges Montgomery committed robbery in the second degree by using or threatening the immediate use of physical force upon the victim while committing a theft on or between November 8, 2022 and November 9, 2022, as well as committing assault on the victim by striking him and pepper spraying him. In addition, Montgomery is accused of creating a substantial risk of death or serious injury to a minor child under circumstances manifesting extreme indifference to the value of human life, and wantonly disobeying law enforcement’s direction to stop her motor vehicle.
The grand jury indicted 52-year old Charles Kenneth Widrick, of Hopkinsville, on charges of first-degree strangulation, first-degree criminal mischief, first-degree stalking, fourth-degree assault, and third-degree criminal trespassing.
Widrick is accused of hitting a woman with his closed fist during an argument on November 3, 2022 and then pushing a laptop onto her face. Hopkinsville Police reported Widrick also choked the female victim and broke her tablet and hearing aid.
A true bill was returned on 31-year old Jessica Danielle Helling, of Clarksville, Tennessee, on a single count of third-degree burglary.
The indictment says Helling allegedly unlawfully entered and remained in a building owned by Walmart with the intent to commit a crime on September 8, 2021.
30-year old Thomas Bussell Kaneer, of Hopkinsville and 27-year old Laura Faith McGehee, of Elkton, were each indicted on a single count of first-degree criminal mischief.
On October 4, 2021, Kaneer and McGehee are accused of causing more than $1,000 worth of damage to property owned by a victim whose initials are “C.S.” on the indictment.
And the grand jury indicted 36-year old Kelly Lynn North, whose address is listed as City at Large, on a single count of complicity to theft by unlawful taking over $1,000 under $10,000.
According to the indictment, North acted as an accomplice when property was unlawfully taken worth more than $1,000, but less than $10,000 between May 1, 2022 and July 4, 2022.
