A Greenfield man entered an agreement in the Hillsboro Municipal Court on Thursday on a charge related to an inquiry concerning a local home for women with developmental disabilities.
The Times-Gazette previously reported that James Kellis, 70, was charged with first-degree misdemeanor stalking after allegedly contacting a woman “even after being advised not to contact her,” according to an affidavit.
The affidavit also described Kellis allegedly going to the woman’s residence, to her place of employment at Hills and Dales Training Center, and then to a class she attended in Greenfield.
According to the affidavit, “After several failed attempts to speak with (her at Hills and Dales), he began to threaten different staff members” over the phone.
The affidavit added: “It should be noted that … Kellis was the provider for (the alleged victim) prior to May 2015, (when) she was relocated due to inappropriate behavior” by Kellis.
When the case was last in court, defense attorney J.D. Wagoner said that, as the alleged incident had occurred in Greenfield, the case should have been filed in county court. A motion concerning the venue was filed.
On Thursday, Wagoner withdrew that motion.
As per the agreement, Kellis pled no contest to an amended and reduced charge of second-degree misdemeanor attempted telephone harassment. He was found guilty.
Wagoner said of the case Thursday that it had been “trying for all parties involved.”
A 90-day jail sentence was suspended on the condition that Kellis have no contact with the Highland County Board of Developmental Disabilities or with the victim. Hillsboro Municipal Court Judge David H. McKenna added that Kellis must remain 500 feet away from her.
“It’s very clear … that you make (the victim) very uncomfortable,” McKenna told Kellis. “I’m sorry that has happened, but that’s the way it is.”
The judge also said that, while Kellis would be on non-reporting probation, his sentence would be suspended “for as long as the law allows me to,” which is five years.
On Thursday, Highland County Board of Developmental Disabilities Superintendent Deb Buccilla told The Times-Gazette that Thursday’s plea agreement resolved that specific situation involving the Kellis Home in Greenfield. Kellis’ wife is the provider of services to the women there.
Buccilla added that there is still one other MUI (Major Unusual Incidence) under investigation at the Kellis Home.
Also on Thursday, a bond was set for Tucker Troy, 29, Hillsboro.
The judge said Troy was taken into custody Wednesday after he allegedly failed a drug screen for methamphetamine, methadone, and marijuana.
Troy is currently under a suspended sentence on a conviction last year for attempting to purchase an illegal amount of pseudoephedrine, McKenna added.
Troy denied the probation violation on Thursday, saying that he had not used meth or methadone.
A probation violation hearing is set for next month.
“You might want to ask your pot supplier one of these days if they’re dusting a little extra juice in,” McKenna told Troy. His bond was set at $25,000.
In other cases:
• Stacey Royster, 42, Peebles, appeared on a bench warrant and new charges. In reviewing her record, McKenna said a warrant was issued for Royster’s arrest in 2013 after she failed to return to court on a probation violation. She was previously found guilty of a violation for not paying restitution or completing community service on an unauthorized use of property conviction. She was set to serve 30 days in jail in December 2013, the judge said. On Thursday, the remaining time on that sentence – 28 days – was imposed. She can be furloughed to inpatient treatment. In addition, Royster pled not guilty to first-degree misdemeanor possession of a controlled substance and fourth-degree misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia. A pretrial on those charges is set for October.
• Lindsai Camp, 29, Hillsboro, also appeared on a bench warrant. The judge said the warrant was issued when she failed to appear for an arraignment earlier this month on a charge of driving on a drug suspension. At that time, Camp was incarcerated in Clinton County, she said. In reviewing her record, McKenna added that Camp has a total of 70 days still suspended on a possession of drug abuse instruments conviction. On Thursday, Camp pled not guilty to her most recent charge. A pretrial is set for next month. She will be held in custody until electronic monitoring house arrest can be arranged.
• A $2,500 bench warrant was issued for Kyle Robinson, 29, Lynchburg, after he failed to appear for a court trial on charges of driving without a license and failing to use turned signals. The judge added that Robinson was already scheduled to serve jail time “on other matters” in November. Records showed that Robinson was found guilty of a probation violation earlier this month on a 2011 theft conviction.
Reach Sarah Allen at 937-393-3456, ext. 1680, or on Twitter @SarahAllenHTG.
