Grand jury indicts several

The Cole County Grand Jury indicted a Jefferson City man this week on a charge of aggravated stalking for an incident last October.

Prosecutors said Verdell Alexander Watkins Jr., 24, of 1104-A Monroe St., "repeatedly and purposely harassed (the victim) by verbally threatening to kill (her)."

The charge is a Class D felony, punishable by up to four years in prison if he's convicted.

A Jefferson City police probable cause statement filed with the charge said an officer was called to the 1200 block of East High Street about 1:10 a.m. on Oct. 21 to investigate a report of shots fired.

Watkins called the victim while the officer was interviewing her, the report said.

She let the officer listen to the phone call, and he said he heard Watkins "make numerous threats toward the life of (the victim)," and that he "purposefully harassed (her) by continuing to call after (she) told him to stop, and made a threat of bodily harm, stating" ... "I'm going to kill you."

In other recent court action, the grand jury also indicted:

• A Jefferson City man in connection with a firearms sting conducted by local officers in March.

According to court documents, Clarence Johnson, 35, of 111 McKinley St., was charged with one count of receiving stolen property.

An informant told authorities about Johnson being involved in the selling of the firearms. Later, undercover officers set up a buy where Johnson was taken into custody.

Authorities recovered firearms that had been taken in the original theft.

Two Colt AR-15 rifles had serial numbers scratched off them. Three other weapons had serial numbers matching the serial numbers of the firearms that were stolen.

• A Jefferson City man in connection with a home burglary last September.

Cory Dwyer, 32, is charged with second-degree burglary, receiving stolen property and possession of burglary tools.

According to police reports, officers responded to the 1000 block of Hawthorne Parkway in reference to a burglary in progress.

Prior to officers' arrival, a suspect was seen fleeing the area by a witness to the crime.

Officers arrived in the area and engaged in a short foot chase and took Dwyer into custody.

Possible stolen items were recovered outside of the residence and from Dwyer's vehicle.

• A California woman, who was working as a home health care nurse when she allegedly stole a controlled substance from a client.

Tammera Bland, 36, is charged with stealing Hydrocodone pills in December 2010.