A Chattooga County Grand Jury issued indictments against nine individuals, bringing a range of serious charges from drug trafficking and possession to felony fleeing and obstruction of justice, according to recent court records.

The indictments signify that the grand jury found sufficient probable cause to proceed with criminal charges against each defendant.

Those indicted and their respective charges are as follows:

  1. Kevin Demond Ellison, of Valdosta, faces two counts of possession of illegal drugs, going inside a guard line with contraband, and giving convicts items without consent.
  2. Jason Shane Butts, of Rome, was indicted on charges of drug trafficking and possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute.
  3. Tannorris Jawon Turner, listed as homeless, also faces a significant charge of drug trafficking.
  4. Jonthan David Clark, of 3088 Halls Valley Road, Trion, was indicted on multiple charges including felony fleeing, possession of methamphetamine, driving without a driver’s license, and failure to maintain a single lane.
  5. Torre Perez Darden, of 346 Bittings Avenue, Summerville, faces felony obstruction of an officer, simple battery, and misdemeanor obstruction of a police officer.
  6. Hennessey Shermear Fraizer, of Rome, was indicted for two counts of possession of illegal drugs, going inside a guard line with contraband, and giving convicts items without consent.
  7. Kieran Daquan Jackson, of Rockmart, also faces two counts of possession of illegal drugs, going inside a guard line with contraband, and giving convicts items without consent.
  8. Javotte Rodriquez Smith, of 664 Packer Dairy Road, Gore, faces a lengthy list of charges including DUI, reckless driving, felony fleeing from police, possession of drugs, possession or use of drug-related objects, driving with a suspended or revoked driver’s license, a seatbelt violation, failure to maintain a single lane, and failure to signal a lane change.
  9. Darry Cornelius Spencer, of Rome, was indicted for two counts of possession of illegal drugs, possession of a weapon during the commission of a crime, and possession or use of drug-related objects.

An indictment is not a conviction, but rather a formal accusation that there is enough evidence to warrant a trial. All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. The cases will now proceed through the Chattooga County court system.