Welfare check leads to multiple charges including rape, kidnapping, and animal abuse, among others

From WRIL -

Nicholas Gray - BCDC

On Saturday night July 16, 2022, at approximately 6:30pm Middlesboro Police Officers were following up on a previous night’s complaint involving juveniles fleeing from a South 23rd Street residence. Department of Human Resources Social workers also responded to the home.

The occupants of the residence were 23-year-old Nicholas Gray and three juveniles.

Responding were Officers Caleb Ayers, Morgan Justice, and Jacob Quillen who followed the DHR social worker into the home after determining exigent circumstances existed prior to entering. Gray was found in the bathroom naked with two of the small children, his son and daughter. The third child was found hiding behind a refrigerator in the kitchen and had to be detained after becoming irate. After the third child made her way to a bedroom, Officer Justice noticed a clear bag containing suspected Methamphetamine.

The same child stated that Gray, a convicted felon, had a firearm in the closet of the bedroom. Officer Justice then retrieved a 9mm hi-point carbine rifle in the floor of the closet, within reach of the children.

After everyone was escorted out of the home, Gray was asked for consent to search the residence, which was given. During the search, officers found a box of syringes – capped and uncapped, a pencil box containing more syringes and Marijuana cigarettes, another bag of suspected Methamphetamine, and a prescription pill bottle from someone who did not live in the home.

During the search officers noted the unsuitable living conditions of the home including dog feces and urine including what appeared to be human excrement, trash and food containers strewn throughout the home, and mold. There were two starved and malnourished dogs in the home with eleven puppies and there was no access to food or water. The animals had visible marks on their bodies from neglect.

Outside the home, officers saw two older dogs leashed and chained to the house and ground that were also malnourished and neglected with open infected wounds. They also did not have access to food or water.

The third juvenile had been staying with Gray and was in a relationship with him. This relationship, investigated by Officer Caleb Ayers, lead to a rape charge against Gray, who also admitted that the girl used Methamphetamine daily.

The children were taken to Middlesboro ARH to be evaluated and it was determined that they had been subjected to abuse.

Nicholas Gray was arrested and booked into the Bell County Detention Center charged with:

Kidnapping, (3) three counts of wanton endangerment – 1st degree, (3) three counts of endangering the welfare of a minor, criminal abuse – 1st degree, (4) four counts of criminal abuse – 1st degree – child 12 or under, possession of controlled substance – 1st degree, 1st offense (Methamphetamine), illegal possession of a legend drug, buying/possessing drug paraphernalia, possession of Marijuana, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, unlawful transaction with a minor – 1st degree – illegal controlled substance – under 16 years of age, rape – 3rd degree, and (15) fifteen counts of cruelty to animals.

He is being held on a $250,000 cash bond.

Two DHR workers, Animal Control (Patsy Bracken), Middlesboro Fire/EMS, and Sgt. Jeremiah Johnson all assisted.