The Knox County Grand Jury handed down five felony assault indictments in separate cases when it issued its December report, according to indictments.
The grand jury indicted Trayvon Zanloyd, 37, of Jackson, on a charge of first-degree assault. On May 29, 2024, he allegedly pulled a man down to the ground fracturing his hip causing serious physical injury.
The grand jury also indicted Luke Bray, 29, of Girdler, on a charge of second-degree assault. On Oct. 5, Bray allegedly grabbed the female victim by the throat slamming her to the ground causing serious physical injury.
In addition, the grand jury indicted Daisey Allen, 56, of Green Road, on three counts of third-degree assault. On April 29, she allegedly sprayed pepper spray in the eyes of Knox County Sheriff’s Sgt. Jesse Smith, Deputy Beth Hensley and Deputy John Ashurst causing physical injury, according to her indictment.
The grand jury indicted Justin Lee Pursifull, 38, of Lexington, for third-degree assault, resisting arrest, fourth-degree assault, second-degree criminal mischief and first-degree persistent felony offender.
On Nov. 10, he allegedly assaulted Deputy David Dunn, slammed another man to the ground and stomped him, prevented or attempted to prevent Officer Elijah Broughton from effecting his arrest, and damaged Dunn’s police uniform, according to his indictment.
Pursifull has a prior 2020 felony conviction in Fayette County and a prior 2016 felony conviction in Jessamine County.
The grand jury indicted Jennifer Ann Smith, 35, of Barbourville, on charges of third-degree assault of a police/probation officer, menacing, first-degree disorderly conduct, alcohol intoxication and second-degree persistent felony offender.
According to the indictments, the following other individuals were indicted by the Knox County Grand Jury on Dec. 19, including:
- Matthew Brent Saylor, 39, of Barbourville – first-degree fleeing or evading police (vehicle), second-degree fleeing or evading police (on foot), endangering the welfare of a minor, first-degree persistent felony offender and four counts of first-degree wanton endangerment. Saylor has two prior felony convictions in Harlan County in connection with 2019 and 2015 cases.
- Jason Ray Watkins, 32, of Emmalena – first-degree fleeing or evading police (attempted to elude law enforcement and struck a police cruiser), first-degree criminal mischief and first-degree persistent felony offender. He has a prior felony conviction in Laurel County in connection with a 2024 case and a prior felony conviction in Adair County in connection with a 2017 case).
- Utah Proffitt Jr., 51, of Middlesboro – receiving stolen property value $10,000 or more (2015 Ford F150 truck), and first-degree persistent felony offender. He has two prior felony convictions in Bell County in connection with a pair of 2023 cases and a prior Knox County conviction in connection with a 2016 case.
- Jacob Calloway Carr III, 55, of Barbourville – two counts fraudulent use of a debit or credit card value at least $1,000 but less than $10,000 (merchandise from Walmart and services from Barbourville Utilities).
- Dakota Anthony Middleton, 27, of Barbourville – theft by unlawful taking value at least $1,000 but less than $10,000 (2021 Harley Davidson motorcycle), and second-degree persistent felony offender. He has a prior felony conviction in Whitley County in connection with a 2022 case.
- Tracey Renee Honeycutt, 43, of Bryants Store – theft by unlawful taking value at least $1,000 but less than $10,000 (restaurant equipment).
- Ronnie Lee Smith Jr., 48, of Barbourville – possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, entry on land to shoot, hunt, fish or trap without consent, and illegal taking/pursuit of a wild turkey.
- Justin Allen Miracle, 33, of Heidrick, and Makeeia Shontae Bethune, 32, of London – theft of identity of another without consent, theft by unlawful taking value at least $1,000 but less than $10,000 (merchandise from Walmart), theft by deception value at least $1,000 but less than $10,000 (merchandise from Walmart), and seven counts of second-degree forgery. Miracle was also indicted for second-degree unlawful transaction with a minor.
- Allen Honeycutt, 47, of Barbourville, and Dustin Tyler Eric Mills, 28, of Bimble – first-degree possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine). Honeycutt was also indicted for failure to wear a seatbelt and failure to signal.
- Tyler Derrick Woolum, 32, of Barbourville – first-degree criminal mischief (damaging Windstream fiber optic cable) and theft by unlawful taking value at least $10,000 but less than $1 million (cooper from Windstream fiber optic cable).
- Jerry Maverick Garland, 62, of Barbourville – receiving stolen property value at least $1,000 but less than $10,000 (2011 Jeep Compass), no registration plates, no or expired Kentucky registration receipt, and failure to maintain automobile insurance.
An indictment is a formal charge by a grand jury; it is not a conviction or admission of guilt.
