Ronald Estep

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Rachel Dove-Baldwin

Staff Writer

WILLIAMSON — Two defendants were arraigned in Mingo County Circuit Court on Monday before the Honorable Judge Michael Thornsbury on charges of armed robbery, kidnapping, conspiracy and grand larceny charges, and were remanded to the custody of the Southwestern Regional Jail (SWRJ) in Holden without bond. Estepp is a repeat felony offender and is no stranger to the Mingo County Judicial System.

Ronald Estepp, 41, of Ragland, and Rosetta Dawn Osborne, 38, of Columbus, Ohio, were arrested on Saturday, Feb. 23, by Mingo County Sheriff’s Department Deputy L. Thomas and Cpl. P. Muncy, on felony charges of conspiracy and grand larceny, and capital offenses of kidnapping and armed robbery.

According to the criminal complaints filed in magistrate court, the defendants conspired to flag down a lady who was driving in the vicinity of the Goodwill Industries business on 2nd Ave. in Williamson and proceeded to ask for a ride to the West End part of town. Shortly after the journey began, Estepp is said to have leaned forward from the backseat and pressed a sharp object against the throat of the victim, demanding that she drive them to Goodman Hollow Road. After they arrived at their destination, the duo allegedly robbed the terrified female of $200 in cash, took her vehicle, a 1998 Pontiac Trans Sport Van, leaving her stranded at the end of the hollow in a location where there are no houses.

Upon arrest, the defendants were arraigned in Mingo County Magistrate Court on the conspiracy and grand larceny charges, and were each issued a bond in the amount of $35,000 by Magistrate Dee Sidebottom. They were transported to the SWRJ to await their arraignment on the capital offenses.

Estep was transported to Circuit Court, while Osborne was arraigned via video. The defendants are scheduled to appear in magistrate court for their preliminary hearings on the 2 felony charges later this week. Attorney Diana-Carter Weidel was appointed to represent Estepp and Attorney Marsha Webb-Rumora was assigned to Osborne’s case.