Laurel Co. Grand Jury indicts East Bernstadt woman for murder

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The Laurel County Grand Jury has indicted an East Bernstadt woman for murder in connection to a death nearly six months ago.

Earlier this month, the grand jury indicted Courtney Kay Boone, also known as Courtney Kay Gregory, 37, on a charge of murder. On July 13, 2025, Boone allegedly caused the death of Ronald Sheldon Lockaby, according to her indictment.

Boone allegedly provided the victim with a fatal dose of fentanyl through the form of methamphetamine in a pipe.

The Laurel County Coroner’s Office verified the fatal dose of fentanyl, according to a Laurel County Sheriff’s Department release.

The grand jury also indicted Steven Ryan Farris, 34, of London, charging him with first-degree assault (beat victim in the face with his fist) and second-degree persistent felony offender. Farris was convicted in a 2018 Whitley County case for fraudulent use of a credit card $10,000 or more.

In addition, the grand jury indicted Anthony Dean Lockhart, 54, of Corbin, for failure to comply with sex offender registration for allegedly failing to report a change of address to the Kentucky State Police Sex Offender Registry as required by law, according to his indictment.

According to the Kentucky State Police Sex Offender Registry, Lockhart has a lifetime registry type, is not on supervised release, is non-compliant/incarcerated. His offenses requiring registration are four counts of second-degree rape in Whitley County. The victim was 12 years old.

The grand jury also indicted the following individuals on Jan. 16, including:

• Brianna Newby, 26, of Corbin – two counts of first-degree possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine and Hydrocodone), possession of marijuana, resisting arrest, menacing, second-offense operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of intoxicants, rear license plate not illuminated, failure to have an adequate silencer and failure to signal.

• Venoy Finley, 33, of East Bernstadt – third-degree assault (Laurel County Sheriff’s Sgt. Zach Allen), second-degree disorderly conduct, resisting arrest, alcohol intoxication and two counts second-degree criminal mischief (damaging officers’ uniforms).

• Carl E. Charboneau Jr., 47, of East Bernstadt – first-degree fleeing or evading police (vehicle), license not in possession, all-terrain vehicle violation reckless driving, and first-degree persistent felony offender. He has a 2016 felony conviction in Laurel County for receiving stolen property less than $10,000, and a 2020 felony conviction in Laurel County for first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance.

• Darren Devern Smith, 61, of London – first-degree wanton endangerment (shooting a gun several times in the vicinity of someone).

• Dusty Wayne Lovett Jr., 44, of London – second-degree fleeing or evading police (on foot), theft value $500 or less (Buddy Heater), and first-degree persistent felony offender. He has a 2013 Laurel County conviction for receiving a stolen firearm and a 2016 Laurel County conviction for second-degree burglary.

• Herman C. Caldwell, 65, of Stoney Fork – two counts of theft by deception (worthless check for $14,211 and second worthless check for $14,211).

• Davan Rena Smith, also known as Davan Rena Melton, 47, of London – first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance (methamphetamine) and first-degree persistent felony offender. Smith has a conviction in a 2007 case for facilitation to manufacturing methamphetamine, a conviction in a 2013 case for second-degree escape, and a conviction in a 2019 case for first-degree possession of a controlled substance. All three convictions were in Laurel County.

• James Glenn Gregory, 43, of London – first-degree possession of a controlled substance (fentanyl) and possession of drug paraphernalia.

• Walter Steven Yocum, 47, of London – first-degree possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine).

• Charles G. Jones, 40, of London – cultivating marijuana more than five plants and trafficking in marijuana more than eight ounces but less than five pounds.

• Kaylee Diane Cawood, 28, of East Bernstadt – first-degree bail jumping.

• Jacob Todd Cobb, 34, of London – flagrant non-support.

• Dylan H. Knox, 41, of East Bernstadt – flagrant non-support.

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