BUCKHANNON — A total of 24 indictments against 23 individuals were returned by an Upshur County Grand Jury this week.

Michael Walter Phipps, 62, of French Creek, was indicted on four counts of wanton endangerment involving a firearm, a felony.

According to a criminal complaint, in April deputies were following up on multiple complaints about Seng Run Road, County Route 32/9, in French Creek being blocked by a landowner and another landowner brandishing firearms at people.

When deputies arrived near Seng Run Road, they noticed the road was closed by a pipe gate, with a chain and padlock prohibiting travel, the complaint states. A state road sign at the scene read “Road is not maintained beyond this point.”

The complaint states officers revealed their badges and began yelling “Sheriff’s Department” multiple times to the man. The man was told to keep his hands in the air and not reach toward the firearm. Cpl. Gordon placed the male under arrest and identified him as Phipps. Officers located a Smith & Wesson “Equalizer” 9mm handgun, which was still loaded on the banister, and three spent casings on the porch.

Robert Carl Beam, Jr., 27, of Buckhannon, was indicted for escape from custody, a felony; destruction of property, a misdemeanor; battery on a law enforcement officer, a misdemeanor; attempt to flee by means other than the use of a vehicle, a misdemeanor; and obstructing an officer, a misdemeanor.

Beam allegedly cut the strap on his home confinement electronic monitoring device and fled, and was later captured, according to a press release from the Upshur County Sheriff’s Department.

In a separate indictment Monday, Beam was indicted for receiving or transferring stolen goods, a felony; two counts of prohibited person in possession of a firearm, a misdemeanor; and illegal possession of bald eagle parts, a misdemeanor.

Darnell Wayne McBride, 44, of Elkins, was indicted for fleeing in a vehicle with reckless indifference to the safety of others, a felony; fleeing by means other than the use of a vehicle, a misdemeanor; and driving while license suspended or revoked, third offense, a misdemeanor.

Deputies with the Randolph County Sheriff’s Office arrested McBride on felony warrants on Feb. 9 after a traffic stop at the Par Mar store next to Chenoweth Creek Road in Elkins, police said. McBride had allegedly fled from officers in Upshur County.

Eli Jacob Beckner, 25, of Buckhannon, was indicted for wanton endangerment involving a firearm, a felony.

Thomas Denver Riley, 49, of French Creek, was indicted for two counts of threats of terroristic acts, a felony.

John Alfred Anderson, Jr., 44, of Buckhannon, was indicted on two counts of gross child neglect creating a substantial risk of death or serious bodily injury, a felony.

Elizabeth Janet Anderson, 35, of Buckhannon, was indicted on two counts of gross child neglect creating a substantial risk of death or serious bodily injury, a felony.

George Oliver Carpenter, 42, of French Creek, was indicted for illegal possession of explosive materials, a felony, one count.

Angela Tenney, 60, of French Creek, was indicted for obtaining welfare assistance by false statements, a felony.

Ericka Danielle Reed, 32, of Buckhannon, was indicted for obtaining welfare assistance by false statements, a felony.

Zephanie Kay Hollister, 39, of Buckhannon, was indicted for obtaining welfare assistance by false statements, a felony.

Christopher Robert Rodriguez, 37, of Buckhannon, was indicted for entry of a building other than a dwelling, a felony, and grand larceny, a felony.

Jacob Aaron Hilbert, 42, of French Creek, was indicted for entry of a building other than a dwelling, a felony, and grand larceny, a felony.

Larry Wayne Gregory, 58, of Buckhannon, was indicted for failure to provide notice of a change to required sex offender registration information, lifetime registrant, second offense, a felony.

Rebecca Brooke Day, 31, of Buckhannon, was indicted for two counts of delivery of a controlled narcotic substance, fentanyl, a felony; and one count of possession of a controlled narcotic substance with intent to deliver, fentanyl, a felony.

Willliam Henry Cole, IV, 35, of Buckhannon, was indicted for driving while license revoked for DUI, third or subsequent offense, a felony.

Lita Angel Smallwood, 38, of Buckhannon, was indicted for possession of a controlled substance with the intent to deliver, methamphetamine, a felony; attempt to deliver a controlled substance, methamphetamine, a felony; conspiracy to violate Chapter 60A, Article 4, Section 401 of the West Virginia Code, a felony; prohibited person in possession of a firearm, a felony; and two counts of prohibited person in possession of a concealed firearm, a felony.

Billy Scott Heater, 33, of Buckhannon, was indicted for receiving or transferring stolen goods, a felony.

Patrick Stephen Carr, 34, of Buckhannon, was indicted for delivery of a controlled substance, fentanyl/heroin, a felony; and two counts of conspiracy to violate Chapter 60A, Article 4, Section 401 of the West Virginia Code, a felony.

Kenneth Cole Karickhoff, 32, of Buckhannon, was indicted for conspiracy to violate Chapter 60A, Article 4, Section 401 of the West Virginia Code, a felony.

Joanie Lynn Hoge, 44, of Buckhannon, was indicted for delivery of a controlled substance, fentanyl, in combination with heroin and xylazine, a felony; and conspiracy to violate Chapter 60A, Article 4, Section 401 of the W. Va. Code, a felony.

Benjamin Emil Gain, 43, of Buckhannon, was indicted for possession of a controlled substance with the intent to deliver, methamphetamine, a felony; possession of a controlled substance with the intent to deliver, dexmethylphenidate, a felony; and conspiracy to commit a violation of Chapter 60A, Article 4, Section 401 of the West Virginia Code, a felony.

Derick Adam McVay, 40, of Buckhannon, was indicted for possession of a controlled substance with the intent to deliver, methamphetamine, a felony; and conspiracy to commit a violation of Chapter 60A, Article 4, Section 401 of the West Virginia Code, a felony.

An indictment is merely an accusation. All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.