LONDON, Ky. — A Pike County man charged with possession of child porn back in February has now seen his case bumped up to federal court.

Terry Weston Rogers, 29, of Pikeville, was arrested Feb. 26 after police discovered more than 1,000 images of child porn on his phone.

He now faces a federal charge of possession of child porn, the same charge he faced in Pike Circuit Court. The key difference between the two cases is that his potential sentence in the state case would have topped out at 10 years, but the federal penalty can be twice as long.

Rogers had been held in the Pike County jail until Wednesday, when he was released on a surety bond. The U.S. Attorney’s Office has asked the judge to issue a new warrant for his arrest.

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PIKEVILLE, Ky. — The defendants in the Amber Spradlin murder trial will go to trial in 18 days.

That is the result of a hearing in the case today.

Spradlin’s body was found June 18, 2023, at the Arkansas Creek home of Prestonsburg dentist Michael McKinney. McKinney’s son, M.K. McKinney, has been charged with her murder, while both McKinneys and family friend Josh Mullins are charged with multiple counts of evidence tampering for allegedly trying to cover up the crime.

Floyd County Commonwealth’s Attorney Brent Turner requested a continuance in the case, saying not all of the DNA evidence has come back from the state crime lab. Michael McKinney’s attorney, Terry Dean Jacobs, and Mullins’ attorney, Whitney O’Neal, both agreed with delaying the trial, but asked the court to release their clients from home incarceration and drug testing requirements.

However, one of M.K. McKinney’s attorneys, Randy O’Neal, objected to any further delay in the case.

In the end, that one objection was all it took for Special Judge Eddy Coleman to make up his mind.

“Well, since Mr. [M.K.] McKinney objected to the trial being continued, it won’t be,” Judge Coleman said. “See you all on May 11.”

Coleman then thanked the parties and left the courtroom.

In his order filed after the hearing, the judge also denied the motions to release Michael McKinney and Josh Mullins from home incarceration.

There is still time for other issues to arise that could delay the case, and several sources close to the case tell Mountain Top News that they believe there is a good chance the trial could still be delayed. But as it stands now, jury selection will begin May 11. The trial is expected to last 3-to-4 weeks.

You can watch a full livestream of the hearing on our Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/MountainTopMediaNews/.

A copy of the judge’s order follows:

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CLINTWOOD, Va. — The Dickenson County School Board moved to reward district employees and celebrate student achievement during its April monthly meeting on Wednesday April 22, unanimously approving one-time stipends for all staff and recognizing the high school’s top academic performer.

The board approved a $1,000 bonus for full-time employees and $500 for part-time staff. To be eligible, staff must have been employed by the district on or before Jan. 6, 2026. The move impacts 273 full-time and 75 part-time workers, funded through an amendment to the FY26 state budget.

The meeting began with a special recognition of LaKendra Vitatoe who serves as the student representative on the board, as the valedictorian for Ridgeview High School. Board members also extended congratulations to former student representative Koen Powers, who was named salutatorian.

Compliance Director Karen Martin reviewed the March enrollment report, which showed a slight increase of 10 students over the previous month, bringing the district’s total to 1,701.

While year-to-date attendance remains at 91.51 percent, officials noted that a late-season flu outbreak in March dropped the monthly average to 88.38 percent. Chronic absenteeism remains a point of concern, particularly at the high school level, where the raw rate rose to 29 percent. However, officials noted these figures do not yet account for students in homebound instruction or alternative credit programs.

The district’s financial outlook remains tied to state-level decisions. While the FY27 budget was adopted in March, the Virginia General Assembly has yet to pass a final state budget. A special session to address the matter is scheduled to begin on Thursday, April 23, in Richmond.

In other financial action, the board approved the 2026-27 Special Education and Career and Technical Education (Perkins) plans. The special education budget includes over $547,000 in Section 611 funding for personnel and services. The Perkins allocation of $73,450 will focus on equipment and capital outlay, with the district planning to pursue additional grants to supplement these funds.

The board granted a request from the Dickenson County Fair Committee and committee chair Billy Branham to release students early on Friday, Sept. 18, 2026, for “Kids Day.” The fair will feature the return of singer-songwriter Celeste Kellogg for a special Friday night performance, along with the return of Gospel Night on Wednesday and Carson Peters and Iron Mountain on Thursday along with new activities.

Policy updates were also a focus, with 16 revised policies approved. These include an update to weapons policy to reflect legal prohibitions while allowing limited superintendent discretion as authorized by law. There were new requirements for staff training to identify and respond to gang behavior and an early update to improve district-wide wellness initiatives.

Board member Jason Hicks highlighted the success of the district’s nursing program, noting positive feedback from the community while board member Damon Rasnick pointed to high levels of student engagement, reporting that approximately 750 students — nearly half the student body — are active in extracurricular activities.

The board concluded the meeting following a closed session to discuss personnel recommendations and legal consultations regarding school construction investments.

The next monthly meeting is scheduled for May, where the board expects to provide a finalized update on the state budget’s impact on local school funding.

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Editor’s note: This story has been corrected to indicate the dog is still alive.

JENKINS, Ky. — A Jenkins man has been arrested after his neighbor complained about him shooting a dog in their yard.

Johnny Tinnel, 41, of Jenkins, was arrested during a traffic stop Tuesday night. He is now charged with felony counts of attempted torture of a dog and first-degree wanton endangerment.

Both charges are felonies, with the torture charge punishable by up to five years in prison and the endangerment charge punishable by 5-to-10 years.

The incident quickly garnered public attention after the neighbor posted video on Facebook of the dog crying and running away afterwards. In the post, the neighbor claimed that Tinnel had fired a gun across the fence Monday evening, into the yard where her children play.

The Letcher County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement that Jenkins Police Sgt. Josh Richardson investigated the case and presented video evidence and witness statements to the county attorney’s office, which filed the charges.

Around 7:10 p.m. Tuesday, Sgt. Richardson and sheriff’s deputies pulled Tinnel over on Main Street in Jenkins and arrested him.

Tinnel had also been arrested immediately after the shooting Monday night, on a warrant for failing to appear in court to answer a 2024 misdemeanor charge of harboring a vicious animal. He was later released after posting a $1,000 bond.

He is currently being held in the Letcher County Jail.

Despite earlier reports that the dog had been euthanized, city officials say they have spoken to the dog’s owner and have learned that the dog is still alive, and the owners are hopeful it will recover.

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PRESTONSBURG, Ky. — The Floyd County Coroner’s Office has identified the body found near Prestonsburg on Tuesday as a woman who had missing for more than three weeks.

Three Floyd County sheriff’s deputies searching the area for 38-year-old Kayla Reffett Tuesday afternoon found her body on the riverbank along Route 1428 near the mouth of Sugar Loaf Branch. She was pronounced dead by the coroner’s office at 2:50 p.m.

Reffett, of Blue River, had last been seen March 30 walking between Allen and Prestonsburg.

There is no word yet on a cause of death. Kentucky State Police is leading the investigation.

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PIKEVILLE, KY. — Two primary care physicians at Pikeville Medical Center have been recognized with the UnitedHealthcare Hero Award.

The honors presented to Samuel J. King, MD and Kristi Tackett, DO, celebrate health care professionals who go above and beyond in delivering exceptional care and making a meaningful difference in the lives of their patients and communities.

The UnitedHealthcare Hero Award highlights physicians who demonstrate compassion, innovation and an unwavering commitment to improving health outcomes, exemplifying these qualities through their tireless dedication to patient-centered care and their impact on the Eastern Kentucky region.

“Dr. King and Dr. Tackett represent the very best of our mission at PMC,” said Kansas Justice, Chief Operating Officer at PMC. “Their commitment to excellence, their compassion for patients and their leadership in advancing health care in our region make them truly deserving of this recognition.”

Both physicians have played a vital role in enhancing access to high-quality care and improving the overall health and well-being of the communities PMC serves. Their work reflects clinical excellence and a deep understanding of the unique needs of the Appalachian population.

“Every patient has a story, and it is our responsibility to listen, understand and provide care that meets them where they are. This recognition is not just a reflection of my service, but of the incredible team around us,” said King. “Under the continued leadership and guidance of the Board of Directors and Administration at PMC, our dedicated staff plays a vital role in providing every patient with compassionate, high-quality care, and I am honored to serve alongside them each day.”

“It is an honor to be recognized, and a reminder that the care we provide truly makes a difference. This award reflects the collective effort of our physicians, nurses and support staff who go above and beyond for every patient,” added Tackett. “Recognition like this from UnitedHealthcare highlights the importance of serving with purpose and remaining committed to improving the lives of those in our care.”

Pikeville Medical Center congratulates Dr. King and Dr. Tackett on this well-deserved honor and thanks them for their continued dedication to serving patients with excellence and compassion.

For more information about Pikeville Medical Center, visit pmcky.org.

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MAJESTIC, Ky. — A Pike County man is facing multiple counts of wanton endangerment for allegedly pointing a gun at another man while children and other adults were nearby.

Police were called April 14 to a disturbance on Woodman Creek Road at Majestic. When they arrived, a man told them he was using a tractor to remove a carport from his mother’s property, when his nephew, Paul Daniels, 50, of Majestic, came outside cursing at him for stealing the tractor from him, then pointed a gun in his face and threatened to kill him.

The victim told police the tractor actually belonged to another family member and he had permission to use it. He also said the outburst came as a surprise, because he and Daniels had a friend conversation just minutes before.

Multiple witnesses confirmed the victim’s version of events and said that at least four people, including a 2-year-old and a 5-year-old were standing behind the victim when the incident took place, putting them in danger. Several witnesses added that Daniels did not appear to be acting like himself.

When questioned, Daniels said he never wanted to kill anybody and claimed that he held the gun pointing down. He also said he has been having trouble regulating his blood sugar, which sometimes makes him act differently and confused.

Daniels was arrested on one count of first-degree wanton endangerment, four counts of second-degree wanton endangerment and one count of terroristic threatening.

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PIKEVILLE, Ky. — Efforts by Pikeville Police to find an Ohio fugitive resulted in officers finding the suspect as well as an assortment of drugs.

Pikeville Police and a U.S. Marshals Task Force had a information that Dennis Washington, 51, of Columbus, Ohio, could be located at an apartment on Hambley Boulevard and went to locate him April 14. Washington was wanted in Columbus for multiple counts of drug trafficking and possession.

When they arrived at the apartment, they found Daryl Adkins, 58, of Pikeville, sitting outside. When they showed him a picture of Washington and asked if he knew where he was, he said he didn’t recognize him but would let them know if he saw him.

Police later learned from the apartment owner that Washington was in the apartment and officers soon placed him under arrest. While doing so, they spotted a glass pipe nearby, and used that information to obtain a search warrant for the apartment.

That search turned up two gallon-size plastic bags of meth hidden in the washer and dryer, multiple bags of fentanyl, some crack cocaine and six oxycodone tablets.

Washington also let the officers know that Adkins had let him know that police were looking for him.

Washington, Adkins and Lashawn Walker, 51, of Columbus, who was also in the apartment, were all arrested and charged with meth and cocaine trafficking, aggravated fentanyl trafficking and drug possession. Adkins was also charged with hindering prosecution for lying to police, as well as promoting contraband and fentanyl possession when jail staff found a bag of the drug hidden in his jeans.

All three remain in the Pike County jail.

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Pikeville Fire Department talks safety during a hot Hillbilly Days.

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FRANKFORT, Ky. — The Kentucky Supreme Court has denied a request to remove the judge presiding over the Shawn Stines murder case.

Stines is charged in the Sept. 19, 2024, shooting death of Letcher County District Judge Kevin Mullins.

In its ruling, the court found no evidence that Special Judge Christopher Cohron’s impartiality could reasonably be questioned, despite arguments from the defense about Cohron’s prior proximity to Mullins at a judicial meeting just days before the shooting.

The court said simply attending the same professional event and sitting near the victim does not constitute a conflict requiring recusal.

The order leaves Cohron in place to continue presiding over the case, though the defense could raise the issue again on appeal after a final judgment.

A copy of the order follows:

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