NORWICH – The Chenango County Grand Jury last week handed up a number of criminal indictments. At the proceeding, the Chenango County District Attorney’s Office presented evidence against those they wish to prosecute. It is up to the jury to decide if there is enough reasonable cause to charge a person with a felony offense.

Those indicted by the grand jury are arraigned before the county or Supreme Court judge at a later date.

The grand jury indicted nine individuals:

• Eric S. Fowlston, 23, Norwich, was indicted on charges of first degree criminal sexual act and first degree sexual abuse, class B and D felonies respectively, as well as endangering the welfare of a child, an A misdemeanor.

It’s alleged that Fowlston, in June of 2006 in the Town of North Norwich, subjected an individual under the age of 11 to unlawful sexual contact.

• Devon L. Ireland, 16, Bainbridge, was indicted on charges of first degree criminal sexual act, a class B felony, three counts of first degree sexual abuse, a D felony, and three counts of endangering the welfare of a child.

It’s alleged that Ireland, on Dec. 3, 2011, and November of 2011, in the towns of Guilford and Bainbridge respectively, unlawfully engaged in sexual conduct with individuals under the age of 11.

• Nathaniel R. Cosby, 37, Syracuse, was indicted on two counts of third degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, a class B felony, criminal tampering with evidence, an E felony, and seventh degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, an A misdemeanor.

Cosby – in concert with another individual – is accused of knowingly and unlawfully possessing four individually wrapped baggies of cocaine with an aggregate weight of 17.55 grams, as well as 224 glassine envelopes of the narcotic heroin, with the intent to sell. The charges stem from a Dec. 20, 2011 incident that occurred at a Norwich hotel. It’s alleged that Cosby, in an attempt to destroy the drugs, tried to flush them down the toilet.

• Ross B. McKinney, 28, Norwich, was indicted on two counts of second degree assault, a class D felony, and two counts of third degree assault, an A misdemeanor.

It’s alleged that McKinney, on Feb. 15, 2012, at the Valley Ridge Center for Intensive Treatment facility, 276 County Road 46, Norwich, used a deadly weapon or dangerous instrument with the intent to cause physical harm to another individual; in this case, a pair of CIT employees. According to the indictment, McKinney, a patient at the facility, used an interior door at the facility to intentionally strike the employees in the face, causing swelling, bruising and lacerations.