Local jury issues indictments for human trafficking, drug crimes

A Christian County Grand Jury issued indictments for human trafficking, drug trafficking endangerment and assault related crimes on Friday. 

Zavian Jones of Ossian, Indiana was arrested in January for reported human trafficking crimes that he committed between October and November of 2023. 

Officers from the Hopkinsville Police Department executed an arrest warrant following an investigation that crossed state lines. Jones was indicted on charges of human trafficking of a victim under 18 years old, four counts of procurement of a minor under 12 years old and use of a minor under 16 years old in a sexual performance. 

An investigation conducted by the Crime Suppression Unit of the Hopkinsville Police Department led to the arrest of Michael Lefkowitz of Hopkinsville in February for possessing child pornography.

Lefkowitz was indicted on 17 counts of possession or viewing of matter portraying a sexual performance by a minor and nine counts of possession or viewing of matter portraying a sexual performance by a minor under 12 years of age.

Turning toward drug trafficking cases, Valdarious Starks and Vivica Gee, both of Oak Grove, were indicted after Deputies from the Christian County Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant on their residence on February 2. Deputies reportedly found 3,100 fentanyl pills, methamphetamine, an undisclosed amount of cash, drug paraphernalia and a firearm.

Starks and Gee were indicted on two charges of trafficking in a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia and three counts of second-degree criminal abuse of a child under 12 years of age. Starks was additionally charged with possession of a handgun by a convicted felon and Gee was additionally charged with possession of marijuana. 

Evan Adams of Oak Grove was indicted on trafficking charges after a search of his residence by law enforcement reportedly revealed controlled substances and drug paraphernalia in December. 

Adams was indicted on two counts of first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance, possession of a handgun by a convicted felon, receiving stolen property, using restricted ammunition, trafficking in a legend drug and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Turning toward assault and endangerment related crimes, Charles Bussell of Hopkinsville was arrested in February after a domestic dispute. Bustle was charged with first-degree wanton endangerment, first-degree unlawful imprisonment and fourth-degree domestic violence.

Joshua Yates of Hopkinsville was arrested in January after local police responded to a report of domestic violence and child abuse. Yates was indicted on charges of first-degree criminal abuse of a child under 12 years of age, first-degree strangulation and fourth degree domestic assault. 

Derrick Tatum of Hopkinsville was arrested in January after he reportedly pointed a gun at someone during an argument. Tatum was indicted on a charge of first-degree wanton endangerment.