The Whitley County Grand Jury handed down two indictments Monday against a Corbin man for fleeing or evading police on foot in March and for fleeing or evading police in a motor vehicle in July.
In the first indictment, the grand jury charged Dustin Chad Lawson, 41, of Forego Trail, with second-degree fleeing or evading police (on foot), resisting arrest, third-degree assault of a police officer, second-degree possession of a controlled substance (drug unspecified), and two counts of first-degree possession of a controlled substance (Fentanyl and drug unspecified).
On March 14, Lawson allegedly disobeyed then Whitley County Sheriff’s Deputy David Rowe’s directive to stop running in an attempt to elude law enforcement officials causing physical injury to Rowe. He also allegedly kicked Rowe causing him to lose balance hitting his head on a brick wall thereby causing physical injury, according to his indictment.
The grand jury also indicted Lawson in a second indictment charging him with first-degree fleeing or evading police (motor vehicle). On July 15, Lawson allegedly failed to obey signals of Sheriff Bill Elliotte to stop a vehicle he was driving creating substantial risk of serious physical injury or death in an attempt to elude law enforcement officials, according to his second indictment.
According to the grand jury report and indictments, the grand jury also handed down four other indictments Monday, including:
- Emory Cox, 56, of Pine Knot – first-degree fleeing or evading police (motor vehicle). On Nov. 19, 2023, Cox allegedly failed to obey signals of Kentucky State Police Trooper Aron Jones to stop a vehicle he was driving creating substantial risk of serious physical injury or death in an attempt to elude law enforcement officials.
- Roy Howington, 67, of Rockholds – second-offense or greater failure to comply with sex offender registration. On July 19, Howington allegedly failed to report a change of address to the Kentucky State Police Sex Offender Registry as required by law.
Howington reportedly pleaded guilty to failure to comply with sex offender registration on Jan. 16, 2025, an arrest citation stated.
The Kentucky State Police Sex Offender Registry only lists one person with the last name of Howington, which is a Roy Lee Howington, 67, whose address is listed as homeless in Rockholds. The Roy Howington on the sex offender registry has the same date of birth as the Roy Howington listed in the indictment.
The Roy Lee Howington listed on the sex offender registry has a lifetime registration type, and his registration status was listed as compliant.
He is listed as a move-in offender from Ohio, whose original conviction was in Ohio for attempted rape. The age of the victim was 15 years old, according to the sex offender registry.
- Tony R. Knuckles, 63, of Williamsburg – two counts of second-degree arson (2018 Mercedes Benz and 2005 Chrysler 300).
- Dakota Mayfield, 39, of Corbin – possession of marijuana and three counts of first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance (cocaine). On April 9, April 23 and May 16, Mayfield allegedly sold a quantity of cocaine to a Laurel County Sheriff’s Office confidential source.
