Kentucky man charged in alleged 2008 rape, kidnapping in Highland County

A Paducah, Ky. man charged with first-degree felony counts of rape and kidnapping was among the 10 indictments handed down by a Highland County grand jury in their final session of the 2024 calendar year Tuesday, Dec. 3.

Gene Michael Belisle, 58, was charged with one count of rape and two counts of kidnapping, all first-degree felonies.

The indictment alleges that in 2008, Belisle “did engage in sexual conduct” with a victim in Highland County and that he “purposely compelled [the victim] to submit by force or threat of force.”

The kidnapping charges list the same date in 2008, with the incidents allegedly occurring in Highland County “and as a continuous course of criminal conduct in Fayette County.”

It is alleged that Belisle “did by force, threat or deception remove [the victim] from the place where the other person was found, or restrain the liberty of [the victim] with purpose to engage in sexual activity … with [the victim] against [the victim’s] will.” The indictment further accuses Belisle of “creating a risk of serious physical harm or [causing] physical harm to” the victim.

In other indictments:

• Stacey Thacker, 48, of Hillsboro was charged with aggravated possession of methamphetamine, a second-degree felony; aggravated trafficking in methamphetamine, a second-degree felony; and a forfeiture specification.

It is alleged that on or about Nov. 12, Thacker “knowingly obtained, possessed or used,” and “knowingly prepared for shipment, shipped, transported, delivered, prepared for distribution or distributed” meth “in an amount equal to or exceeding five times bulk amount but less than 50 times bulk amount.” The indictment accuses Thacker of knowing or having “reasonable cause to believe the methamphetamine was intended for sale or resale by the offender or another person.”

A vehicle in Thacker’s possession is subject to forfeiture due to its alleged “instrumentality in the commission or facilitation of the offense,” the indictment says.

As previously reported by the Highland County Sheriff’s Office, during a traffic stop Nov. 12 on a vehicle in which Thacker was a passenger, HCSO K-9 Dom indicated on drugs inside the vehicle.

• Terry G. Shanks, 45, of Bainbridge was charged with failure to comply with the order or signal of police officer, a third-degree felony; aggravated possession of methamphetamine, a fifth-degree felony; and aggravated possession of drugs, a fifth-degree felony.

The indictment alleges that on or about Aug. 26, Shanks “did operate a motor vehicle … so as willfully to elude or flee a police officer after receiving a visible or audible signal from a police officer to bring [his] motor vehicle to a stop, and the operation of the motor vehicle caused a substantial risk of serious physical harm to persons or property.”

On the same date, Shanks is accused of “knowingly obtaining, possessing or using” meth and hydrocodone.

• Gregory S. Martin, 53, of Hillsboro was charged with possession of a fentanyl-related compound, a fourth-degree felony; and aggravated possession of methamphetamine, a fifth-degree felony.       

Both charges stem from July 27, where it is alleged that Martin “knowingly obtained, possessed or used … a fentanyl-related compound in an amount equal to or exceeding one gram but less than five grams” as well as meth.

• Nikki N. Brant, 26, of Dayton was charged with one count of failure to appear, a fourth-degree felony, in connection with a meth possession case in Highland County.

• Gerrad W. Mick, 58, of Greenfield was charged with one count each of assault and strangulation, both fifth-degree felonies. It is alleged that on or about Oct. 17, Mick “did knowingly cause or create a substantial risk of physical harm” to a victim “by means of strangulation or suffocation.”

On the same date, the indictment alleges that Mick “did knowingly cause or attempt to cause physical harm” to a victim “in or on the grounds of a local correctional facility” where Mick “was in custody.”

• Ronald E. Jones Jr., 43, of Hillsboro was charged with strangulation, a fifth-degree felony. It is alleged that on or about Oct. 18, Mick “did knowingly cause or create a substantial risk of physical harm” to a victim “by means of strangulation or suffocation.”

• Jaime D. Hilterbrandt, 48, of Lynchburg was charged with possession of a fentanyl-related compound, a fifth-degree felony.

• Rachel N. Simpson, 29, of Hillsboro was charged with possession of a fentanyl-related compound, a fifth-degree felony.

• Gregory M. Willey, 35, of Hillsboro was charged with aggravated possession of methamphetamine, a fifth-degree felony.

An indictment is merely a charge and is not evidence of guilt.

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