Linsey Baxter Hardwick

A Leesburg woman charged in the December shooting death of a Sterling man was among 36 indicted June 10 by a Loudoun County Grand Jury.

Linsey Baxter Hardwick, 23, was charged Feb. 12 with the death of 30-year-old Jovaughn Johnson.

In addition to a first-degree murder charge, Hardwick was indicted on possession of oxycodone, possession of marijuana and use of a firearm in the commission of a felony.

Hardick's case was bound over to the grand jury May 24 after Chief General District Court Judge Dean S. Worcester dismissed charges against her co-defendant Ryan Williams, 32, of Leesburg.

Eric Demetriades, Williams' attorney, asked Worcester to dismiss the first-degree murder charge since prosecutors didn't provide any evidence during a preliminary hearing that his client committed the crime.

The only evidence prosecutors presented against Williams was statements made by Hardwick.

According to testimony by Loudoun County Detective C. Cunningham, Hardwick said Williams contacted her days prior to Johnson's Dec. 27 death and asked her if she could get him a gun.

There was no evidence that Hardwick ever provided Williams a weapon.

She admitted to driving Williams to Sterling and hearing three gunshots, but said she never saw Williams shoot Johnson. She did say she saw Williams get back into the car and tuck a gun into his waistband.

Deputies found Johnson dead in his vehicle about 7 p.m. Dec. 27 in the area of Great Trail and Trail Run terraces in Sterling.

Other notable indictments include:

•John Carter, of Purcellville,who was arrested March 12 on two counts of indecent liberties – child by custodian.

•Edward Lee Dibernardo, of Leesburg, who was arrested April 6 on charges of strangling another to cause wounding or injury and assault and battery on a family member.

•Tristan Kabesa, of Leesburg, who was arrested April 25 for cruelty and injuries to children.

•Akwasi Achampong Opoku, of Hagerstown, Md., who was arrested Feb. 16 on charges of eluding, destroying personal property, DUI – second within less than five years, obstruction of justice, refusal of tests – second DWI/refusal within 10 years and attempting to bribe an officer or candidate for office.