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Special
News Release
ARRESTS
MADE ON BREAK IN OF PAINT TOWNSHIP BUSINESS
On May 21, 2008, two arrests were made
regarding the break in at the Rocky Fork Truck Stop that took place during the
early morning hours of May 13, 2008.
Leonard Kris Lowery, age 23, of
Ross
County and Jennifer L. Hutchison, age 23, of
Ross
County
were both taken into custody without incident by Highland County Detectives on
May 21, 2008. Both suspects were
located at a residence on Camelin Hill Road
in Ross
County. Lowery has been charged with
Robbery, a felony of the second degree. Hutchison
has been charged with Receiving Stolen Property, a felony of the fifth degree.
Both Lowery and Hutchison were arraigned in
The Hillsboro Municipal Court before The Honorable Judge David McKenna on
Thursday, May 22, 2008. Both are
scheduled to appear for preliminary hearings in The Hillsboro Municipal Court in
the near future.
A third suspect has also been identified in
the case. Jeremy L. Lewis, age 20,
of
Ross
County
, has also been identified as being involved in the break in of the business.
Lewis currently has a warrant out of
Highland
County
for Complicity to Robbery, a felony of the second degree, for his involvement
in the incident at the Rocky Fork Truck Stop.
Lewis is currently at large. Anyone
with any information as to the whereabouts of Jeremy L. Lewis is encouraged to
contact the Detective Division of the Highland County Sheriff’s Office at
(937) 393-1421.
The case will also be forwarded to the
Highland County Prosecutor’s Office for presentation to an upcoming session of
the Highland County Grand Jury, where additional charges are possible on all
three individuals.
SUSPECT IDENTIFIED IN PAINT TOWNSHIP BREAK IN
On May 19, 2008, the Highland County Sheriff’s Office was able to identify
a suspect from a break in of a Paint Township business.
During the early morning hours of May 13, 2008, the Rocky Fork Truck Stop was
entered by two suspects. The suspects took a large amount of cigarettes and
tobacco products. Investigation by Highland County Sheriff’s Office Detectives
has lead to the identification of one of the suspects. At this time, the
Highland County Sheriff’s Office has issued a warrant for the arrest of
Leonard Kris Lowery, age 23, of Ross County. Also located was the suspect
vehicle, which was seized by detectives on May 15, 2008, from a girlfriend of
Lowery’s in Ross County.
The specific warrant at this time is for one count of Robbery, a felony of
the second degree.
Lowery is listed as a white male, approximately five foot eleven inches tall,
203 pounds, with brown hair and blue eyes.
Lowery is known to frequent the Huntington Township area of Ross County, as
well as the Bainbridge area, and the area of State Route 207 north of
Chillicothe. Anyone with any information as to the whereabouts of Leonard Kris
Lowery is encouraged to contact the Highland County Sheriff’s Office Detective
Division at (937) 393-1421.
INFORMATION BEING SOUGHT
Information is being sought into the identity of two
subjects who broke into a Paint Township business during the early morning hours
of May 13, 2008. Security footage captured the above photo of one of the
subjects. The subjects took several items, including cigarettes and
tobacco products. The subjects then fled the scene. Anyone with any
information pertaining to the identity of these two subjects is encouraged to
contact the Detective Division of the Highland County Sheriff's Office at (937)
393-1421.
Arrest Made On Sexual Assault
On May 6, 2008 the Highland County Grand Jury
handed down indictments on John and Mary Greiner of Dodson Township regarding a
sexual abuse case.
Both individuals were arrested by the
Wilmington Police Department on May 9, 2008 in regards to the indictments. The
indictments are the result of an investigation by Highland County detectives
into concerns that John Greiner had sexual activity with a family member
over a period of several years. The family member was a child at the time
and the events took place from when the victim was approximately five years of
age until she was approximately 16 years of age. The victim is now an adult. The
indictments for Mary Greiner involved her knowledge of the situation and lack of
protection to the child involved at the time.
John N. Greiner, age 49 was charged with one
count of Rape, a felony of the first degree, one count of Sexual Battery, a
felony of the second degree and one count of Gross Sexual Imposition, a felony
of the fourth degree.
Mary A. Greiner, age 46 was charged with one
count of Complicity to Rape, a felony of the first degree, one count of
Complicity to Sexual Battery, a felony of the second degree and one count of
complicity to Gross Sexual Imposition, a felony of the fourth degree.
Both John and Mary Greiner are currently being
held at the Highland County Justice Center under a $32,500.00 bond. They are
scheduled for arraignment in Highland County Common Pleas Court on May 21, 2008
at 1:00 PM.
Three People Arrested After Drugs Found
in Home
On May 6, 2008, Highland County
Sheriff’s Deputies along with Agents with the Ohio Adult Parole Authority,
went to a residence located at 6964 Ervin Rd. Liberty Township in an effort to
locate a wanted fugitive on Parole from Warren County, Ohio. Upon arrival at the
residence, deputies located the fugitive, Jennifer M. Isaacs age 23 and she was
taken into custody without incident. A second person, also on parole was located
in the residence and taken into custody on a parole violation, was identified as
Michelle N. Stevenson age 20 of Hillsboro. Agents with APA conducted a search of
the home and located several grams of crack cocaine, numerous firearms, over
$2000.00 cash and numerous items of drug paraphernalia. The owner of the
residence, Gary J. Quarles II age 46 was also at the residence and arrested.
Deputies also found two children in the home, ages 3 and 3 weeks, which were
removed by HCSO Detectives and custody of those children were remanded to
Highland County Children Services. All
three individuals were taken to the Highland County Justice Center where Quarles
and Stevenson were each charged with one count of Drug Abuse, a 4th
degree felony and Isaacs was held on a parole violation holder and will be
returned to Warren County.
Quarles and Stevenson are being held
under $2500.00 bond each and will make their initial appearance in Hillsboro
Municipal Court on Wednesday May 7, 2008 at 8:00 am. The case will be referred
to the Highland County Prosecutors Office for presentation to an upcoming
session of the Highland County Grand Jury where additional charges are likely.
*Mugshots
of all three are available upon request
Two More Arrests In Connection With Pop
Machine Break-Ins
Highland County Sheriff Ron Ward
reports that two more arrests have been made in connections with the recent rash
of pop machine break-ins in and around Highland County. Mary E. Ross age 26 of
Salyersville, Ky and Carol A. Bolling age 33 of Hillsboro have been arrested and
charged with Complicity to Tampering with Coin Machines, a 5th degree
felony. Both are lodged in the Highland County Jail under $2500.00 bond and will
be arraigned on Wednesday April 30, 2008 at 8:00am in Hillsboro Municipal Court.
Their cases will also be forwarded to the Highland County Prosecutors Office
where they will be presented to an upcoming session of the Highland County Grand
Jury where additional charges are possible.
*Mugshots available upon request
Kentucky Man Arrested After Several
Area Pop Machines Broken Into
On April 23, 2008 Detectives with the
Highland County Sheriff’s Office and The Hillsboro Police Department received
information from the public regarding area businesses that have been recently
targeted with their pop machines being broken into after hours and money
removed. Detectives following up on the information provided, resulted in
contacting an individual who was staying at the Greystone Motel on US 50 east of
Hillsboro. That individual was identified as David R. Collins age 34 of
Salyersville, Kentucky. Upon further investigation at the Greystone Motel,
several items and tools used in illegally entering pop machines were located in
a room. Evidence recovered has lead investigators to believe that Collins is
involved with pop machine break-ins in Highland, Brown and Adams County as well
as several in the State of Kentucky. Highland County Law Enforcement will be
working with those jurisdictions in an effort to clear as many of these cases as
possible, as there appears to be a large amount. Collins was immediately charged
with one count of Possession of Criminal Tools, a 5th degree felony.
Collins appeared in Hillsboro Municipal Court on April 24, 2008 where his bind
was set at $25,000. As detectives from HCSO and HPD continue to investigate,
they will be working with Highland County Prosecutor James Grandey where the
case will be presented to an upcoming Grand Jury where additional charges are
likely against Collins. Sheriff Ward reminds citizens of Highland County to
continue to call with information regarding criminal activity in Highland
County, as this is case is an example of information provided by the public
directly resulted in several cases being cleared and suspect being arrested.
Five
People Arrested After Search Warrant Served At
Hillsboro Residence
On Monday April 21,
2007 at 2:00 pm, Detectives with the Highland County Sheriff’s Office and an
officer with the Hillsboro Police Department served a search warrant at a
residence located at 393 East Main St. in the City of Hillsboro. The search
warrant was issued as the result a six week investigation into the Trafficking
of Heroin in Highland County. Upon the execution of the search warrant several
empty heroin capsules, syringes, seven firearms and other drug paraphernalia
were located within the residence. Five people were immediately arrested they
were:
-
Terry Quickle, age 31 of Hillsboro. Charged with one count of Trafficking Heroin
within 1000 ft. of a School, a 4th Degree Felony. Bond Set at
$200,000
-
Kenneth Quickle, age 29 of Hillsboro. Charged with one count of Trafficking Heroin
within 1000 ft. of a School, a 4th Degree Felony. Bond Set at
$200,000
-
Casey W.
Patton, age 22 of Hillsboro. Charges with one count of Possessing Drug Abuse
Instrument, a 2nd Degree Misdemeanor. Bond set at $750.00 and
also being held on a Probation Violation from Hillsboro Municipal Court.
All five
individual arrested will be arraigned in Hillsboro Municipal Court on Wednesday
April 23, 2008 at 8:00 am. The case is still under active investigation and will
presented to the Highland County Prosecutors Office where it will be presented
to an upcoming session of the Highland County Grand Jury where additional
charges are likely.
Two
Arrested After Search Warrant Served at Paint Township Residence
On Friday April
11, 2008 at approximately 7:30 PM, deputies and detectives served a search
warrant at a residence located at 7410 Beechwood Rd. in Paint Twp. The search
warrant was a result of ongoing investigations into the trafficking of illegal
drugs throughout Highland County. Upon execution of the search warrant, several
grams of crack cocaine were found along with cash and drug paraphernalia. Two
individuals at the residence when the search warrant was served were charged.
They were identified as Megan Butcher age 22 of Hillsboro and Kevin A. Jones age
41 of Xenia, Ohio. Butcher was charged with Felony 5 Possession of Drugs with a
bond of $1500.00. Jones was charged with Felony 2 Possession of Drugs with bond
set at $250,000. Jones is also currently under indictment in Greene County for
Possession of Heroin and Possession of Criminal Tools. He also he a lengthy
criminal history. Both Butcher and Jones will be arraigned in Hillsboro
Municipal Court of Monday April 14, 2008 at 8:00 am. The case is still under
investigation and additional arrests are likely as well as additional felony
charges against Butcher and Jones when the Highland County Grand Jury hears
evidence in the case.
Multiple Indictments Handed Down By
Special Grand Jury After A Two Year Undercover Drug Investigation In The
Greenfield Area
Highland County Sheriff Ronald D. Ward
and Prosecutor Jim Grandey announce that a special grand jury was convened on
Monday March 31, 2008 to hear evidence resulting from a two-year undercover drug
investigation conducted by the Highland County Sheriff’s Office, Greenfield
Police Department, Clinton County Sheriff’s Office and the Pipeline 23 Major
Crimes Task Force in the City of Greenfield and surrounding areas. The Grand
Jury indicted 8 individuals on 59 Felony Criminal Counts involving the
Distribution, Transport and Possession of Illicit Drugs, including Crack
Cocaine, Cocaine and Marijuana. The cases were also investigated and will be
prosecuted as criminal enterprise cases under Ohio Law, also known as Engaging
in a Pattern of Corrupt Activity, which is structured after the Federal RICO Act
(Racketeering Influenced and Corrupt Organization).
“Some of these individuals are from the Dayton Area and came to
Greenfield during the course of the investigation and set up shop with some of
our local drug dealers for the purpose of distributing large amounts of drugs
into our community” stated Sheriff Ron Ward. “This longstanding covert
investigation led us to the big players involved which ultimately resulted in
these indictments and will directly and adversely effect the pipeline of illegal
drugs into Highland County” Ward also stated.
These indictments come nearly one year
to the date that 39 people were indicted on 78 felony drug counts throughout
Highland County after an undercover drug investigation. “These new indictments
are an extension of the work done one year ago. A lot of work has been done over
the past year to tie individuals and enterprises together in the effort to go
after the source of the illegal drugs in Greenfield and shut their enterprise
down and put them in jail, potentially for many years.” Ward stated.
Those indicted and arrested were:
- Stephanie
Ford, age 41 of Greenfield, Bond set at $5,000
1 count of Trafficking in Drugs (Felony 3)
- Notashia Nelson, age 24 of
Greenfield, Bond set at $1500
1 Count of Permitting Drug Abuse (Felony 5)
- Byron Dun, age 25 of Hillsboro, bond
posted at $2500
1 Count of Trafficking in Drugs (Felony 4)
-Daniel Wallace, age 24 of Dayton, Ohio
Bond set at $197,000
1 Count of Engaging in a Pattern
of Corrupt Activity (Felony 1)
6 Counts of Trafficking in Drugs
(Felonies 2,3 and 4)
3 Counts of Possession of Drugs
(Felonies 1, 4 and 5)
- Arthur Johnson, age 25 of Greenfield,
Bond set at $25,000
1 Count of Engaging in a Pattern of
Corrupt Activity (Felony 1)
2 Counts of Trafficking in Drugs
(Felonies 4 and 5)
-Thomas
Peters age 27 of Dayton, Ohio Bond set at $194,000
1 Count of Engaging in a Pattern
of Corrupt Activity (Felony 1)
25 Counts of Trafficking in Drugs
(Felonies 1,2,3,4 and 5)
2 Counts of Possession of Drugs
(Felonies 1 and 5)
1 Count of Tampering with Evidence
(Felony 3)
1 Count of Intimidation of a Witness
(Felony 3)
-Jordan Evans age 21 of Greenfield Bond set at $46,500 (Currently in Ross Co. Jail)
1 Count of Engaging in a Pattern of
Corrupt Activity (Felony 1)
3 Counts of Trafficking in Drugs
(Felonies 4 and 5)
1 Count of Possession of Drugs (Felony
1)
-Mario
Core, age 28 of Dayton, Ohio Currently
at Large
1 Count of Engaging in a Pattern of
Corrupt Activity (Felony 1)
4 Counts of Trafficking in Drugs
(Felonies 2 and 3)
1 Count of Obstructing Official
Business (Felony 5)
All individuals indicted have been
arrested with the exception of Mario Core. If anyone has any information on his
whereabouts, please contact the Highland County Sheriff’s Office. All of these
individuals will be arraigned in Highland County Common Pleas Court on April 7,
2008 at 1:00 pm.
BURGLARY
INVESTIGATION LEADS TO ARREST
On
March 7, 2008 the Highland County Sheriff’s Office investigated a Burglary
that occurred to a White Oak Township resident in the Village of Mowrystown.
Since this incident investigators have been following up on leads. On April 1,
2008 the Highland County Sheriff’s office conducted searches of two different
Brown County residences and located stolen items from the White Oak Township
Burglary. Further investigation by investigators lead to the recovery of two
firearms stolen from this Burglary. Arrested and charged with one count of
Burglary, a felony of the second degree, was Roy Stephan Cole age 21 of
Sardinia, Ohio. Cole is currently being held at the Highland County Justice
Center under a $17,500.00 cash or surety bond and is scheduled to appear in the
Hillsboro Municipal Court at 8:00 a.m. April 2, 2008 for his arraignment. This
case will be forwarded to Highland County Prosecutor James Grandey for his
review, where it will then be presented to the upcoming Grand Jury where
additional charges are expected.
SEXUAL OFFENDER ARRESTED FOR FAILING TO
REGISTER
On Wednesday, March
26, 2008, Charles Jay Spurlock was arrested by the Beavercreek Police Department
in Greene County, Ohio, on a warrant out of Highland County for Failing to
Register as a Sexual Offender.
Spurlock, age 37, was originally
convicted of Attempted Rape in Brown County Ohio in 2000.
Spurlock had registered with the Highland County Sheriff’s Office as a
Tier III Sexual Offender, and then became at large, failing to register a change
of address. A felony warrant was
issued for Spurlock on March 24, 2008.
Spurlock is also under the supervision of
the Ohio Adult Parole Authority (A.P.A.) and was considered at large by the
A.P.A. for failing to comply with the terms of his supervision.
Spurlock will be brought back to Highland
County, where he will be scheduled for arraignment in The Hillsboro Municipal
Court before The Honorable Judge David McKenna. Spurlock currently has a
$20,000.00 bond. The case will also
be forwarded to Highland County Prosecuting Attorney James Grandey’s Office
for presentation to an upcoming session of the Highland County Grand Jury, as
the charge involves a felony.
Reward Offered After Individual
Assaulted
The Highland County Sheriff’s Office is
investigating a felonious assault that took place on Sunday March 16, 2008 at
approximately 5:20 pm in the Enchanted Hills Subdivision near Rocky Fork Lake in
Paint Twp. A maintenance worker for the Enchanted Hills Homeowners Association
confronted a female that was using the association dumpster without permission.
She left and returned with a male and the two then assaulted the maintenance
worker with a ball bat and a beer bottle. The maintenance worker was transported
to Highland District Hospital by the Hillsboro Life squad with non-life
threatening injury treated and released.
The vehicle the two were seen in is a late model Black
Chevrolet Monte Carlo with fancy style rims. The male is described as late
20’s to early 30’s, thin build and long black hair pulled back and a large
gauge earring. The female is described as approximately 30 yrs old, blond hair,
5 ½ ft., and 140 lbs. The female has been seen in the area before that leads
investigators with the HCSO to believe that the suspects live in or near the
area of the assault.
The Enchanted Hills Homeowners Association has offered
$500 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of these
individuals involved in this assault. If you have information regarding this,
please contact the Detective Division of the HCSO at 393-1421. Any information
will be kept confidential.
UPDATED 03/19/07 @ 3:30 PM
Highland County Sheriff Ron Ward reports that on March 19, 2008, that
charges were filed on the victim of this case for Filing a false report and
inducing panic. Sheriff Ward stated that several things during the investigation
did not add up and raised red flags about the truthfulness of the assault. As a
result, John Hartman age 39 of the Lake Area admitted he made up the story about
being assaulted. He will be arraigned in Hillsboro Municipal Court on March 20,
2008 at 8:00 AM. Sheriff Ward wants to thank the citizens of the lake area who
reported several leads in the case and to the Enchanted Hills Homeowners
Association who put a $500 reward for information in the case.
Two Arrested After Theft of
Cigarettes From Local Market
On Sunday March 9, 2008 two males
entered the JP Market in the Village of Sinking Spring. One male distracted the
employee as the other entered an area of the store used for storage and removed
15 cartons of cigarettes. Both males then left the store. It was later found by
the owners of the store, that the cigarettes were missing. In store video was
reviewed and a description of the suspects and suspect vehicle were obtained. On
March 10, 2008, the same two males entered the same store and attempted to so
the same as the day before, but were unsuccessful. The employee was then able to
secure a license number of the vehicle and called the Highland County
Sheriff’s Office. The vehicle was later located at a residence in the Western
Part of Ross County where it was secured and a search warrant was obtained where
several items of evidentiary value were obtained and will be examined by BCI.
The two suspects in the in-store video were identified as Quentin Binegar age 32
of Greenfield and Aaron W. Smith age 23 of Chillicothe.
On
March 11, 2008 Smith was located and arrested at his apartment in Chillicothe by
the Ross County Sheriff’s Office and agents from the Pipeline 23 Major Crimes
Task Force. Also on March 11, 2008 Deputies with the Highland County Sheriff’s
Office along with the Greenfield Police Department received information of the
whereabouts of Binegar and he was located hiding in a house in the 300 block of
Jefferson Street and arrested. Also found at the house with Binegar was Brittany
L. Baxter age 25 of Bainbridge. She was arrested for an outstanding Felony
Warrant from Fayette County.
Binegar and Smith were both charged with
Breaking and Entering, a Felony 5 and Grand Theft, a felony 5. Binegar was also
held on a Parole Violation issued by the Adult Parole Authority due to prior
felony convictions. Both appeared in Hillsboro Municipal Court on March 12, 2008
where Smith’s bond was set at $10,000 and Binegar was denied bond due to the
Parole Violation. Both are scheduled for a Preliminary Hearing on March 20, 2008
at 9 am in Hillsboro Municipal Court. The case will be referred to The Highland
County Prosecutors Office where it will be heard by an upcoming session of the
Highland County Grand Jury.
THREE
SEX OFFENDERS INDICTED FOR FAILING TO REGISTER
On March 4, 2008, the Highland
County Grand Jury handed down indictments against three sex offenders after each
failed to register with the Sheriff’s Office.
The indictments are the result of the Highland County Sheriff’s Office
conducting address verifications, as well as receiving information that at least
one offender was not registered where he had reported.
The following are those
indicted:
Ernest D. Jones, age 43, was indicted on
one count of Failure To Register, a felony of the third degree. Jones was originally convicted in Highland County Common
Pleas Court of Unlawful Sexual Conduct with a Minor in March 2002, which
required him to register as a sexual offender in the county he chose to live in.
Jones is currently classified as Tier II sex offender based upon the
recent Adam Walsh Act. – Arrested 3/4/08
Jonathan E.
Ramsey, age 32, was indicted
on one count of Failure To Register, a felony of the third degree. Ramsey was originally convicted in Clermont County in 1998 of
Sexual Battery. Ramsey is currently
classified as a Tier III sex offender based upon the recent Adam Walsh Act. This
individual is at large.
Michael D. Jarnigan, age 26, was indicted
on one count of Failure To Register, a felony of the third degree. Jarnigan was originally convicted of Corruption of a Minor
(now known as Unlawful Sexual Conduct with a Minor) in Highland County Common
Pleas Court in 2000. Jarnigan is
currently classified as a Tier II sex offender based upon the recent Adam Walsh
Act. – Arrested on 2/20/08
The Highland County Sheriff’s Office is
committed to monitoring any sex offenders registered in Highland County.
Sheriff Ward welcomes anyone who has information about a sex offender who
has relocated and not reported his or her address, to contact the SORN Deputy or
the Detective Division at (937) 393-1421. Additional
information regarding registered sexual offenders can be found on the
Sheriff’s Office web site at www.highlandcoso.com.
This includes a list of registered offenders living in Highland County
and information about the recent changes in the law.
Two Arrested for Damaging Mailboxes
On Saturday, March 1, 2008 at 1:05 AM, the
Highland County Sheriff's Office received a report from a resident in the 9300
block of Stoney Point Road in Liberty Township that their mailbox had just been
damaged. The resident also reported that the vehicle involved was leaving the
area and traveling toward St Rt 138 on Stoney Point Road. A deputy with the
Highland County Sheriff's Office spotted a truck westbound on St Rt 138 matching
the description of the suspect vehicle and conducted a traffic stop. The deputy
found two individuals and an aluminum baseball bat in the bed of truck. The
individuals were identified as Kasey Martin, age 19 and Emerson Willis, age 20,
both of Hillsboro. The driver of the vehicle was found to be a 16 year old male
and there were also two female passengers all of Hillsboro. The witness to the
damaging of the mailbox positively identified the vehicle involved.
Both Martin and Willis were charged with
Criminal Damaging, a misdemeanor of the second degree. They will appear in
Hillsboro Municipal Court before the Honorable Judge David McKenna. The case
will be forwarded the Highland County Prosecutors Office in regards to possible
charges on the driver and juvenile passengers in the cab of the truck.
Upon checking the area, deputies have located
at least four other mailboxes that were damaged and additional charges are
possible.
Search Warrant Yields Several
Pounds of Marijuana and Two Arrests
On Wednesday, January 22, 2008 at 1:15
PM, Detectives with the Highland County Sheriff’s Office and Hillsboro Police
Department executed a search warrant at 102 West Josie Ave. in Hillsboro. The
search warrant was issued as a result of ongoing investigations into the
Trafficking of Drugs in Highland County.
The search warrant yielded over five
pounds of processed marijuana, three semi-automatic handguns, over $5000.00 in
cash and several items of drugs paraphernalia to include several sets of scales
and plastic baggies. The HCSO also seized three vehicles as a result of the
search warrant being executed.
Arrested and charged with Trafficking in
Drugs, a Felony 4 were:
Justin K. Anderson age 21
Joshua F. Molter age 25
Both Anderson and Molter lived at the
residence of the search warrant. Both individuals arrested are being held at the
Highland County Justice Center under $25,000 Bond. They will appear in Hillsboro
Municipal Court on Thursday January
24, 2008 at 8:00 am for their initial arraignment. The case will be turned over
to the Highland County Prosecutors Office where it will be presented to an
upcoming Grand Jury where additional charges are possible.
Retired
Highland County Sheriff Walter R. Reffitt Passes Away
Highland County Sheriff
Ronald D. Ward regrets to announce the passing of retired Highland County
Sheriff Walter R. Reffitt, age 82. Sheriff Reffitt passed away on January 16,
2008 after a lengthy illness. He served as Chief of Police for the city of
Hillsboro from 1950 until 1955. He was elected Highland County Sheriff in 1957
and served in that capacity for 20 years until his retirenment in 1977. The
services for Sheriff Reffitt are as follows:
Visitation: Sunday,
January 20, 2008 from 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Masonic and
F.O.P.
Services will follow
Funeral: Monday,
January 21, 2008 at 2:00 PM with burial to follow at the Hillsboro Cemetary.
All services for Sheriff
Reffitt will be held at the Miller-Thompson Funeral Home located at 241 East
Main Street, Hillsboro, Ohio.
Any Officer/Deputy
attending F.O.P. Services or funeral, Uniform of the Day will be observed.
INVESTIGATION
LEADS INTO TWO METHAMPHETAMINE SEARCH WARRANTS
On
January 9, 2008, deputies went to a residence on Ross Road in Penn Township in
order to attempt pickup on Christopher Blackburn, age 23.
Upon arrival, contact was made with Blackburn and further investigation
lead into detectives seeking a search warrant for Blackburn’s residence.
Upon conducting a search detectives located numerous items relating to
the production and use of methamphetamine.
Additionally, methamphetamine was located on the person of Christopher
Blackburn.
Christopher
Blackburn was charged with one count of Drug Possession, a felony of the fifth
degree. Blackburn
appeared for arraignment before The Honorable Judge David McKenna in Hillsboro
Municipal Court on January 10, 2008.
Blackburn is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on January 17, 2008, and
is currently incarcerated at the Highland County Justice Center on a $50,000.00
bond. The
case will also be forwarded to the Highland County Prosecutor’s Office for
presentation to an upcoming session of the Highland County Grand Jury, where
additional charges are possible.
Upon
conducting further investigation, deputies and detectives received information
of possible meth activity in the area of McVey Road in Fairfield Township.
Deputies and Detectives went to the area of McVey Road and upon arrival,
a vehicle was seen leaving the area that had previously been reported as a
possible location of methamphetamine activity.
A traffic stop was attempted and the vehicle fled from the officer.
A short pursuit ensued and the driver of the vehicle crashed his vehicle
in Clinton County.
The driver was identified as Maurice Todd Estep, age 38, of McVey Road.
Observations of the crash scene lead to the discovery of several items
used in the manufacturing of methamphetamine.
As a result, a search warrant was sought and obtained for Estep’s
residence on McVey Road.
A search of this property resulted in the location of numerous items
relating to the manufacture of methamphetamine at two different locations on the
property. All
items were seized, and all hazardous materials were removed from the scene by an
environmental clean up crew.
Finished methamphetamine was also located during this search.
The following agencies assisted the Highland County Sheriff’s Office
regarding the scene: Clinton County Sheriff’s Office, Ohio State Highway
Patrol, the Clinton-Highland North Joint Fire District, and Hillsboro Fire and
Rescue.
Maurice
Todd Estep was charged with Illegal Assembly of Chemicals, a felony of the third
degree. Estep
appeared for arraignment before The Honorable Judge David McKenna in Hillsboro
Municipal Court on January 10, 2008.
Estep is currently under a $50,000.00 bond and is being held at the
Highland County Justice Center.
The case will also be forwarded to the Highland County Prosecutor’s
Office for presentation to an upcoming session of the Highland County Grand
Jury, where additional charges are possible.
Sheriff
Ward continues to encourage citizens of Highland County to contact the Highland
County Sheriff’s Office with any information regarding methamphetamine
activity in the county.
The Highland County Sheriff’s Office will vigorously continue its
efforts to investigate and eradicate methamphetamine from Highland County.
Citizen information is one way we can all assist in the effort to combat
this epidemic.
The Sheriff’s Office may be reached at 393-1421.
Three Arrested After Stolen
Property Found
On January 2, 2008 at 8:30 pm Detectives
with the Highland, Ross and Fayette County Sheriff’s Offices and officers from
the Greenfield Police Department served a search warrant at a residence at 213
S. 7th St. in Greenfield. The search warrant was the result of
ongoing investigations into residential and business burglaries over the past
several weeks in the respective jurisdictions. The search warrant resulted in
the recovery of several thousand dollars worth of property from at least (6) six
burglaries in Highland, Ross and Fayette Counties. Detectives are currently
reviewing other open cases in their respective jurisdictions and working with
crime victims in an effort to identify the vast amount of property and return it
to the rightful owners.
As a result of this investigation,
Highland County Detectives have charged the three following individuals
with one count of Receiving Stolen Property, a 5th degree felony:
Terry Hester age 23 of Greenfield
Amanda Adkins age 22 of Greenfield
Timothy Estle age 18 of Bainbridge
All three are being held on $100,000.00
bond and will make their initial appearance in Highland County Court in
Greenfield on Monday January 7, 2008. These cases remain under active
investigation and additional charges and arrests are likely.
SEARCH WARRANT LEADS TO
METH RELATED CHARGES
On Sunday, November 25, 2007, a search
warrant was executed by the Highland County Sheriff’s Office at 6075 Clark
Road in Concord Township.
Upon conducting a search of the
residence, deputies and detectives discovered numerous items relating to the
manufacture of methamphetamine, as well as a small amount of finished product.
Several items of evidence were seized, including a firearm.
All hazardous materials were removed from the scene by a hazardous
materials clean up crew. Arrested and charged with one count of Illegal Assembly, a
felony of the third degree, was Mack “Pete” Wooten, age 38, of 6075 Clark
Road.
As a result of the Clark Road search
warrant, information was received that lead to a second arrest regarding this
case. A deputy, along with an
officer from the Ohio Adult Parole Authority made contact with James A.
Guisinger, age 38, of Leesburg. Upon
making contact with Guisinger, it was found he was connected to the Clark Road
meth activity. Additional evidence
was seized after the contact with Guisinger.
James A. Guisinger was also charged with Illegal Assembly, a felony of
the third degree.
Both Wooten and Guisinger were taken to
the Highland County Justice Center and are currently each under a $70,000.00
bond. Both were scheduled to appear
in The Hillsboro Municipal Court for arraignment before The Honorable Judge
David McKenna on November 26, 2007, at 8:00 a.m.
Additionally, the Ohio Adult Parole Authority placed James A. Guisinger
under a holder. The case will also
be forwarded to the Highland County Prosecutor’s Office for presentation to an
upcoming session of the Highland County Grand Jury, where additional charges are
possible.
Two Arrested After Penn Township Home
is Burglarized
The Highland County Sheriff’s Office
has arrested two suspects after the investigation into a home burglary in the
9000 block of State Route 138 in Penn Township.
The burglary was reported to the HCSO on
November 20, 2007 at 2:48 PM. At the time of the initial report, it was found
that the home had been forcibly entered during the time the residents were away,
and several items stolen from the home.
Upon subsequent follow-up to the burglary
case, several items removed from the house were recovered from a residence in
Madison Twp. and two people were taken into custody. They were:
Toby E. Short age 43 of Leesburg
Tyler A. Trent age 19 of Greenfield
Both were charged with Felony 2 Burglary.
Trent was also wanted on an outstanding Indictment from Highland County on
another count of Burglary and Theft. Short is being held in the Highland County
Jail on $7500.00 bond and Trent was released after posting $15,000.00 bond on
the current Burglary count and on the previous indictment. Both will make their
initial appearance in Hillsboro Municipal Court on Monday November 26, 2007 at 8:00
AM. The case will be sent to the Highland County Prosecutors office where it
will be heard by and upcoming session of the Grand Jury where additional charges
and arrests are possible.
Two
Arrested After Search Warrant Served on
Washington Township Home
On November 19, 2007 at 10:23 am,
deputies and detectives from the Highland County Sheriff’s Office and the
Hillsboro Police Department served a search warrant at 9821 East Prospect Rd. in
Washington Township. The search warrant was the result of ongoing investigations
involving the trafficking of illegal drugs in and around Highland County.
As a result of the search warrant, one
ounce of cocaine, approximately 1200 valium pills, marijuana, items of drug
paraphernalia, cash and a vehicle were seized. Arrested were:
-Charged with one count of Possession of
Drugs, a 3rd degree misdemeanor
Bond was set at $500.00
--Charged with one count of Possession
of
Drugs (Cocaine) an F-3
--Charged with one count of Possession
of
Drugs (Valium) an F-3
Bond was set at $200,000.00
due to his previous drug convictions in Highland County.
Both Myers and Gustin will appear in
Hillsboro Municipal Court on Wednesday November 21, 2007 at 8:00 AM before the
Honorable Judge David McKenna for their initial arraignment. The case will be
forwarded to the Highland County Prosecutors Office where it will be presented
to an upcoming grand jury where additional charges are possible. The evidence
seized in this case will bent sent to the Ohio BCI&I for further forensic
testing and evaluation.
One
Man in Custody After Shooting In Marshall
Township
On Friday, November 16, 2007, at
approximately 3:01 p.m., the Highland County Sheriff’s Office received a 911
call from a Marshall Township resident reporting he had been shot by an adult
male at his residence in Marshall Township.
Deputies and Detectives were dispatched to the scene.
Upon arrival to the scene, an adult
male was found to have suffered multiple gunshot wounds.
The Hillsboro Fire and Rescue was dispatched to the scene and began
emergency medical treatment. The
male subject was subsequently flown to Miami Valley Hospital where he was listed
in fair condition. The was identified as Brett H. (Buddy) Miles Age 29 of
Hillsboro.
Assistance was sought from the Ohio
Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation in regards to processing the
scene. Several items of evidence
were collected.
Michael J. Norman, age 49, of Paint
Township was taken into custody at the scene.
Norman was later charged with one count of Felonious Assault, a felony of
the second degree. Norman is
scheduled to appear for arraignment in Hillsboro Municipal Court before the
Honorable Judge David McKenna on Monday, November 19, 2007, at 8:00 a.m. Norman is currently out of jail after posting a $25,000.00
bond.
The case will also be forwarded to the
Highland County Prosecutor’s Office for presentation to an upcoming session of
the Highland County Grand Jury, where additional charges are possible.
Missing
Hunter Found Deceased
At approximately 8:30 PM on
November 10, 2007, the Highland County Sheriff's Office received a call of a
missing hunter in the area of 9250 East Prospect Road in Washington Township.
According to the caller, Kevin Hankison, age 48 of Miamisburg, had been in the
area and had not returned to the camper where is was staying.
Upon arrival of Highland
County Deputies, along with the Hillsboro, Marshall, Mowrystown and Leesburg
Fire Departments, a search perimeter was established. At approximately 12:43 AM
the body of Kevin Hankison was found. The body was transported to the Montgomery
County Coroner's Office for an autopsy. Highland County Coroner Dr. Paul Terrell
advised that the autopsy indicated the Mr. Hankison had died as a result of a
heart attack.
ROUTINE
CALL RESULTS IN STANDOFF/SUICIDE
On Friday, October 19, 2007 at approximately
5:42 PM a deputy with the Highland County Sheriff's Office was dispatched to
4698 Bennington Road in Washington Township regarding a welfare check of Marvin
E. McCart, age 56. Upon arrival, the deputy was unable to make contact with
anyone, however a vehicle that McCart had rented was parked in the driveway. The
deputy made contact with McCart inside of the residence and McCart fired a shot
from a rifle in the direction of the deputy. The deputy then backed out of the
home and called for assistance.
Additional Highland County Sheriff's deputies
including Special Response Team members, the Ohio State Highway Patrol, Adams
County Sheriff's Office, Hillsboro Police Department and an agent from the Ohio
Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation (BCI&I) all responded to
assist.
After extensive attempts to establish
communication with McCart over public address systems and telephone failed,
entry was made into the home. Upon making entry, deputies discovered McCart had
succumbed to a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Highland County Coroner Dr. Paul
Terrell was called to the scene and ordered the body be removed for autopsy at
the Montgomery County Coroner's Office. The scene investigation was handled by
an agent of the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation.
ARREST
MADE ON CHILD PORNOGRAPHY CASE
On October 15, 2007,
the Highland County Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant in the 12000
block of U.S. 50 in the community of Rainsboro, in Paint Township.
This being a residence that James D. Johnston, age 36, has been staying
at.
Upon
execution of the search warrant, items relating to the possession of child
pornography were located and seized as evidence, including a personal computer.
The computer will be forensically analyzed for further evidence.
Arrested was James D. Johnston, who was
charged with one count of Pandering Sexually Oriented Matter Involving A Minor,
a felony of the fourth degree.
Johnston was arraigned in Hillsboro
Municipal Court before the Honorable Judge David McKenna on October 15, 2007.
Further investigation will be conducted and once complete, the case will
be forwarded to the Highland County Prosecutor’s Office, for presentation to
an upcoming session of the Grand Jury, where numerous additional charges are
likely. Johnston is currently under
a $10,000.00 bond and a preliminary hearing will be held in Municipal Court on
October 25, 2007. Johnston was ordered to be placed upon pretrial supervision,
which includes a provision that should Johnston be released on bond, that he
have no contact with any minor child without written permission from the parent.
GRAND JURY
INDICTMENT HANDED DOWN AGAINST WILLIAM SMITH IN DEATH OF LYNN LUCAS
On Tuesday, October 2, 2007, the
Highland County Grand Jury issued a six-count indictment against William H.
Smith, age 58, of New Market Township.
The specific counts are as follows:
Count #1: Murder, an unclassified felony, with a gun
specification
Count #2: Voluntary Manslaughter, a felony of the first
degree, with a gun specification
Count #3: Abuse of a Corpse, a felony of the fifth degree.
Count #4: Tampering with Evidence, a felony of the second
degree.
Count #5: Felonious
Assault, a felony of the second degree.
Count #6: Kidnapping, a felony of the second degree.
As previously reported, William H. Smith has been connected
to the death of Lynn Lucas, at her Paint Township residence.
A family member found the body of Lynn Lucas on February 5, 2007.
The Highland County Coroner ruled the manner of death as a homicide
caused by a single gunshot wound.
Counts five and six resulted after investigation revealed that in February 2006,
William H. Smith had allegedly become intoxicated and fired a handgun at a
female acquaintance, who was at his residence. He then kept the female from leaving his residence for
several hours.
Smith is currently being held at the Highland County
Justice Center under a $650,000.00 bond. Smith
is scheduled to appear in Highland County Common Pleas Court for arraignment on
Tuesday, October 16, 2007.
INDICTMENT ISSUED
RELATING TO CHILD PORNOGRAPHY
On October 2, 2007, the Highland County Grand Jury issued a
23-count indictment against Samuel T. McCullough, age 39, of Paint Township.
The specific counts of the indictment are 12 counts of
Pandering Obscenity Involving a Minor, each a felony of the fourth degree.
Additional counts were one count of Possession of Criminal Tools, a
felony of the fifth degree; and ten counts of Illegal Use of a Minor in
Nudity-Oriented Material, each a felony of the fifth degree.
The charges are the result of two-month investigation
by the Highland County Sheriff’s Office into allegations that McCullough was
in possession of child pornography on his computer. A search warrant was executed at McCullough’s residence on August 24,
2007. The computer was then sent to
the Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation in London, Ohio, to the
computer forensic lab. Initial
analysis revealed numerous images and videos involving minors depicted in a
state of nudity or engaged in sexual activity.
McCullough is currently being held at the Highland
County Justice Center under a $66,500.00, bond.
McCullough is scheduled to be arraigned in Highland County Common Pleas
Court on Tuesday, October 16, 2006.
Home Invasion Made Into
Paint Township Residence
The Highland County
Sheriff’s Office is currently investigating a reported home invasion and
attempted sexual assault.
On
Friday, August 10, 2007, at 6:00 a.m., the Sheriff’s Office received a call
that a Paint Township woman’s home had been entered and a male subject
attempted sexual activity with the female.
The male later fled the scene on foot.
The female was home alone at the time of the incident.
Findings Released From May 10, 2007
Fatal Fire
The
Highland County Sheriff’s Office, Highland County Coroner’s Office, and the
State of Ohio Fire Marshal’s Office, have all completed their investigations
into the May 10, 2007, fatal fire on Stephan Road, in which two individuals lost
their lives.
The
Coroner’s Office has listed the deaths as homicide for Samantha Lane, age 15,
and suicide for Mathew J. Stone, age 20.
The Coroner found that based upon the age of Samantha, and additional
factors, this qualified her death to be listed as a homicide.
The State Fire Marshal’s Office concluded that the fire was
intentionally set, by the occupants, and originated in the upstairs interior
area of the home the two had broken into.
It was also found that while deputies were attempting to make contact
with Mathew Stone and Samantha Lane, a female called the Sheriff’s Office and
stated she had just seen Mathew Stone at a location in the City of Hillsboro.
Investigation revealed this phone call originated from 2875 Stephan Road,
where the deputies were attempting contact.
On
May 6, 2007, Clinton County had sent out a message that Samantha Lane was a
missing person.
On May 8, 2007, the Adams County Sheriff’s Office sent out a request
for deputies to be on the look out for Mathew Stone, after he allegedly
assaulted one of their deputies on State Route 247.
During the incident, the Adams County deputy observed Stone and Lane
together and attempted to take Lane into custody.
After assaulting the deputy, Stone and Lane fled the area together.
On May 10, 2007, during the morning, information was received by the
Sheriff’s Office that Stone was in the area of Stephan Road.
A search was conducted, but Stone was not located.
Later in the day on May 10, 2007, the Sheriff’s Office received a call
that Stone and Lane had broken into a house on Stephan Road and were hiding at
this location.
Deputies arrived and attempted contact with Stone and Lane, but received
no response. Based
upon the situation, as well as Stone’s history, and the fact Stone was
previously court ordered to remain away from Lane, deputies remained at the
location and continued to attempt contact.
Attempts were made to coax the two out of the residence, again with
no response. While
attempting contact with Stone and Lane, deputies made entry into the home and
found that the home was on fire.
Attempts were made to reach Stone and Lane, but were unsuccessful due to
the extreme amount of heat and smoke present and coming from the second story of
the home. Fire
and EMS units were called to the scene and were able to locate the victims and
attempt lifesaving efforts, but they succumbed to the smoke and were pronounced
dead at the scene by Dr. Jeffrey Beery, assistant county coroner.
Two
Dead After House Fire in Concord Township
The Highland County
Sheriff’s Office and the Ohio State Fire Marshals Office is currently
investigating the deaths of two persons who were pulled from a burning house on
Thursday May 10, 2007.
Highland County Sheriff
Deputies and Detectives had responded to a residence at 2875 Stephan Rd. in
Concord Twp on May 10, 2007 at approximately 7 PM after receiving information
that a suspect in the assault of an Adams County Sheriff’s Deputy, which
occurred on May 9, 2007, may be at that the residence. The suspect, Matthew
Jason Stone age 20 was reportedly with a runaway juvenile, Samantha Lane age 15,
from Sabina in Clinton County. Upon arrival at the residence, Deputies heard
movement from within the residence and tried to make contact with the occupants
using PA system and phone contact, but were unsuccessful. Approximately 20
minutes later, smoke was observed coming from the house. The Hillsboro and
Mowrystown Fire Departments were immediately dispatched to the scene. Additional
efforts were made to contact the individuals inside, again without success.
Deputies then made forced entry in the house and checked the first floor but
were unable to get to the second floor of the home due to heavy smoke and fire.
Upon arrival of the
first fire units on the scene, saws were used to enter the second floor through
the roof. Upon entering the house through the roof, a male and a female were
located in the attic area of the home. The were removed from the house by Fire
and Law Enforcement personnel, both suffering from smoke and soot inhalation and
both unresponsive. Fire/EMS personnel started resuscitation efforts were
initiated on both victims but they succumbed to the smoke and were pronounced
dead at the scene by Highland County Assistant Coroner, Dr. Jeffrey Beery, MD.
The bodies were later identified as Stone and Lane. The bodies were taken to the
Montgomery County Coroners Office for autopsy. The Ohio State Fire Marshal’s
Office were called to assist Highland County Sheriff’s Deputies to determine
the cause and origin of the fire. It is believed that either Stone or Lane set
the fire, either by accident or purposely during the course of HCSO Deputies
attempting to coax them out of the residence. It is believed that the two broke
into the house and possibly had been staying there in an attempt to hide out
after the assault of the Adams County Deputy. The owner of the home had not been
to the house since May 8, 2007.
The house suffered heavy
smoke/fire and water damage as a result of the fire. Fire and EMS Units
responding to this incident were the Hillsboro, Mowrystown, Marshal, Lynchburg,
Leesburg, Brushcreek, Winchester and Sardinia Fire Departments.
The case remains under
investigation by the Highland County Sheriff’s Office, The Ohio State Fire
Marshals Office as well as the Adams and Clinton County Sheriff’s Offices.
Male
Arrested on Child Pornography and Weapons Charges
On April 24, 2007, the Highland County
Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant at 9089
Water Street in Paint Township in the community of Petersburg, this being the
residence of James T. O'Daniel, age 48.
Upon execution of the search warrant,
numerous items relating to the possession of child pornography were located and
seized as evidence, along with several firearms and computer equipment.
Arrested was James T.
O'Daniel, who was
charged with one count of Pandering Sexually Oriented Matter Involving A Minor,
a felony of the second degree and one count of Possession of a Dangerous
Ordnance, a felony of the fifth degree.
O'Daniel was arraigned in Hillsboro
Municipal Court before the Honorable Judge David McKenna on April 25, 2007. Further investigation will be conducted and once complete,
the case will be forwarded to the Highland County Prosecutor’s Office for
presentation to an upcoming session of the Grand Jury, where numerous additional
charges are likely. O'Daniel is
currently under a $100,000.00 bond and a preliminary hearing will be held in
Municipal Court in the near future.
Additionally, if anyone has any further
information about this case, they are encouraged to contact the Detective
Division at the Highland County Sheriff’s Office at (937) 393-1421.
A.P.A.
Fugitive Located
On April 3, 2007,
approximately 1902 hours the Ohio Adult Parole Authority and the Highland County
Sheriff’s Department went to 7643 Mad River Road, Hillsboro, in an attempt to locate Mark
A. Washington, age 29, a fugitive from the supervision of the Adult Parole
Authority (A.P.A.).
Mr. Washington was
released from prison on November 25, 2006, after he served 6 years from
Montgomery County for Felonious Assault with a Deadly Weapon (F2) and Possession
of Cocaine (F4). He also has
a criminal history involving narcotics, weapons, and stolen property offenses.
Mr. Washington absconded from his supervision with the A.P.A. in January
of 2007 and has been at large ever since.
Mr. Washington was
located at the residence and taken into custody without incident.
A search of the residence by A.P.A. and the Highland County Narcotics K-9
produced a large amount of illegal narcotics, drug paraphernalia, cash, a
firearm and a large amount of stolen property.
Mr. Washington also had outstanding warrants from the Leesburg Police
Department for Cultivation of Marijuana, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and
Aggravated Menacing.
Washington appeared in
Hillsboro Municipal Court on April 4, 2007, for arraignment and pled guilty to a
pending misdemeanor charge. As a
result, Washington received 90 days in the Highland County Jail and is also
being held on A.P.A. violations. Washington
will appear before the Ohio Parole Board in the near future for the new
violations and the case will be presented to Highland County Prosecutor’s
Office for presentation to an upcoming session of the Grand Jury where
additional charges are possible.
Several
Arrested, Others Sought, After Major Drug Sweep Across Highland County
Highland County Sheriff’s Deputies, with
the assistance of over 80 police officers from 16 area Law Enforcement agencies
conducted a major drug sweep across Highland County on Friday March 30, 2007,
after a special session of the Highland County Grand Jury handed down
indictments on 39 Highland County residents on 78
felony counts related to the Trafficking of Drugs in Highland County. The
indictments were the result of a 6 month undercover operation conducted by the
Highland County Sheriff’s Office and the Pipeline 23 Major Crimes Task Force.
During the investigation Marijuana, Cocaine, Crack Cocaine and a large variety
of pills and prescription medication were purchased by undercover agents who
infiltrated the various circles of drug dealers throughout Highland County.
Officers, armed with arrest warrants and search warrants for
six locations, executed the first of the search warrants at around 8:40 PM on
March 30th. Four of the search warrants were in and around Greenfield in
Highland County and two were in Ross County. Of the 39 people indicted, 19 were
arrested Friday evening and booked into the Highland County Justice Center.
There were also 4 other individuals arrested for outstanding warrants not
associated with the undercover operation. Those arrested were:
Mary C. Henderson, age 47 of
Hillsboro
- (3) Counts Agg. Trafficking in Drugs
Alex D. Franklin, age 20 of
Hillsboro
- (2) Counts of Trafficking in Drugs
Kacy D. Clouser, age 24 of
Greenfield
- (2) Counts of Trafficking in Cocaine
James G. Hines, age 29 of
Hillsboro
- (2) Counts of Trafficking in Marijuana
Dana R. Saxon, age 24 of Hillsboro
-(3) Counts of Trafficking in Drugs
Brandon Forsha, age 30 of
Greenfield
- (7) Counts of Trafficking/Possession of Cocaine
Jennifer L. Forsha, age 33 of
Greenfield
- (3) Counts of Trafficking/Possession of Cocaine
John R. Calhoun, age 47 of
Greenfield
- (1) Count of Trafficking in Cocaine
Heather L. Miles, age 26 of
Hillsboro
- (1) Count of Trafficking in Marijuana
Amanda M. Christ, age 20 of
Hillsboro
- (1) Count of Aggravated Trafficking in Drugs
Susan L. Munyon, age 45 of
Greenfield
- (5) Counts of Trafficking in Cocaine
Tracey O’Cull, age 30 Hillsboro
- (1) Count of Trafficking in Marijuana
Joshua Roland, age 23 of Hillsboro
- (1) Count of Trafficking in Drugs
Seth O’Bryant, age 24 of
Hillsboro
- (1) Count of Trafficking in Drugs
Leroy Parr, age 30 of Greenfield
- (1) Count of Trafficking in Cocaine
Jason Cox, age 27 of Greenfield
- (2) Counts of Trafficking in Cocaine
Dwight Hester Jr., age 39 of
Greenfield
- (5) Counts of Trafficking in Cocaine
Arthur Ayler, age 23 of Greenfield
-(3) Counts of Trafficking in Cocaine
Amber Jackson, age 19 of Hillsboro
- (1) Count of Trafficking in Cocaine
Others Arrested:
William Hubbard, age 26 of
Greenfield, warrant for Failure to appear
Eric Dietrich, age 35 of
Greenfield, warrant for Failure to appear
Tony Gibson, age 41 of Hillsboro,
warrant for Failure to appear
Eric Overly, age 36 of Greenfield,
warrant for failure to appear
All persons arrested on indictments will
appear for their arraignment on April 11, 2007 at 1:00 PM in Highland County
Common Pleas Court. The other 20 individuals indicted that were not taken into
custody are actively being sought for arrest by law enforcement officials in
Highland County.
The 16 Law Enforcement agencies that
assisted The Highland County Sheriff’s Office in the drug sweep were the
Fayette, Clinton, Adams, Ross, Brown and Pike County Sheriff’s Offices, The
Hillsboro, Chillicothe, Greenfield, Lynchburg, Leesburg , Pierce Township
(Clermont County) and Goshen
Township (Clermont County) Police Departments, The Ohio State Highway Patrol,
The Ohio Adult Parole Authority, Agents from BCI&I and The Pipeline 23 Drug
Task Force.
This operation is continuing and
additional arrests are expected when the investigation is complete.
Three Men Arrested on Drug
Charges Following Traffic Stop
On Saturday March 3, 2007
at 3:33 am, a Highland County Sheriff’s Deputy stopped a vehicle in the 200
block of West Main St. in Hillsboro for a traffic violation. The driver was
found to be Zachary King, age 21 of Wilmington. After further investigation it
was found the King was under the influence of alcohol or drugs and he was placed
under arrest. He was also found to be driving under suspension. Two other
passengers in the vehicle, Timothy Brown, age 25 of Hillsboro and Jeffery
Dunning, age 30 of Port William were placed into investigative custody.
A search of the vehicle
revealed several grams of Methamphetamine and a duffle bag containing several
components used in the illegal manufacture of drugs including lithium batteries,
psuedoephedrine packs, hoses and other pieces of assorted drug paraphernalia.
After further
investigation all three were placed under arrest and transported to the Highland
County Justice Center and charged as follows;
King –
OVI,
Driving Under Suspension, Fictitious Plates and Illegal
Assembly of Chemicals used to Manufacture
Drugs, a felony 3. His bond was set at $70,000.00 in Hillsboro Municipal Court.
Dunning -
Possession of Drugs (2 counts) a felony 5,
Illegal Assembly of Chemicals used to
to
Manufacture Drugs, a felony 3, Illegal Conveyance of Drugs Into a Detention
Facility, a felony 3. His bond was set at $150,000 in Hillsboro Municipal Court.
Brown - Illegal
Assembly of Chemicals used to Manufacture Drugs, a felony 3 and a Probation
Violation. His bond was set at 80,000 in Hillsboro Municipal Court.
All three made initial
court appearances in Hillsboro Municipal Court on Monday, March 5, 2007 where
bonds were set. The case will be presented to an upcoming grand jury where
additional charges are likely.
TWO MEN ARRESTED AFTER
SEARCH OF HOME REVEALS METHAMPHETAMINE
On
Thursday, March 1, 2007 at approximately 1:00 AM, Highland County Sheriff’s
Deputies went to a residence located at 2760 US 50 in Dodson Township after
receiving information that an individual with active warrants was there. Upon
arrival of deputies at the residence, Larry A. Johnson age 34 of Pleasant Plain
was taken into custody without incident for the active warrant. The owner
of the residence, Kenneth Kisling age 34 was also present. While in the
residence, deputies found items associated with the illegal manufacture of
methamphetamine. Deputies also noticed a strong odor of anhydrous ammonia
emanating from a garage on the property. Deputies secured Mr. Kisling and the
area around the house until a further search of the property could be completed
by specially trained and equipped deputies from the H.C.S.O.
Upon
further search of the house and garage, containers of anhydrous ammonia were
located as well as lithium batteries, acids, jars containing crushed
psuedoephedrine soaking in ether, salt, gas generators and tubing, all of which
are used in the manufacture of methamphetamine.
An environmental cleanup company from West
Virginia was dispatched by the DEA to the scene for disposal of the illicit and
dangerous material. Both Kisling and Johnson were taken to the Highland County
Johnson Center and charged with one count each of Illegal Assembly of Chemicals
Used in the Manufacture of Drugs, a
felony of the third degree. Both appeared in Hillsboro Municipal Court on
Thursday, March 1, 2007 where their bonds were set at $70,000.00 each.
This case remains under investigation by
the H.C.S.O. and will be turned over to the Highland County Prosecutor’s
Office where it will be presented to an upcoming Grand Jury where additional
charges and arrests are possible.
FAIRFIELD
TOWNSHIP MAN FOUND DECEASED
On Sunday, February 11, 2007,
at 7:01 p.m., the Highland County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a fire
at 12529 Ringer Lane in Fairfield Township. The Highland County North Joint Fire and Ambulance District
was dispatched to the scene. Upon
arrival, firefighters discovered the body of Jason D. Price, age 30, at the
front entrance to the residence. Deputies
and Detectives from the Highland County Sheriff’s Office, as well as an arson
investigator, and an agent from the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Identification and
Investigation (BCI&I), were called to the scene. Assistant County Coroner Dr. Jeff Beery also responded.
Dr. Beery ordered the body be
removed for autopsy at the Montgomery County Coroner’s Office.
Preliminary investigation has revealed that the fire and subsequent death
of Jason Price appear to have been by accidental means.
The situation remains under investigation, pending toxicology and other
test results, which can take up to six weeks.
FEMALE
FOUND DECEASED IN HER RESIDENCE
On Monday, February 5,
2007 at 7:50 p.m., the Highland County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call
of from a resident on Heather Moor Trail in Paint Township advising that her
neighbor was deceased. Upon arrival
to the scene, it was determined that Lynn D. Lucas, age 47, of 6745 Heather Moor
Trail, was deceased within her residence. A
family member had stopped by to check on her and located her within the
residence.
Dr. Paul Terrell, Highland
County Coroner, was called to the scene and ordered the body be removed for
autopsy at the Montgomery County Coroner’s Office.
Additional items were collected as potential evidence. The case remains
under investigation at this time.
SEXUAL OFFENDER ARRESTED
FOR FAILING TO REGISTER
On Wednesday, January 3, 2007, Patrick B.
Snider, age 35, of Paint Township, was arrested for Failing to Register as a
Sexual Offender. Snider had
originally been charged with Sexual Battery and Rape by the Highland County
Grand Jury in 2004 and 2005, and pled guilty to Rape and Sexual Battery in May
2006, in Highland County Common Pleas Court.
Snider was sentenced to 4 years to 25 years in the Ohio Department of
Rehabilitation and Corrections. Snider
was released from prison on December 21, 2006, after serving six months.
At that time, Snider failed to register his address as required by Ohio
law for those convicted of sexual related crimes.
Snider was arrested on January 3rd after he reported to the
Adult Parole Authority and was taken into custody.
Snider is scheduled for arraignment in
The Hillsboro Municipal Court before The Honorable Judge David McKenna on
January 4, 2007, at 8:00 a.m. Snider
is currently being held at the Highland County Justice Center on a $25,000.00
bond. The case will also be
forwarded to the Highland County Prosecutor’s Office for presentation to an
upcoming session of the Highland County Grand Jury.
TWO
MEN IN CUSTODY IN CONNECTION WITH RASH OF RECENT HIGHLAND COUNTY HOME BURGLARIES
Highland County Sheriff Ron Ward
reports that his office has two male suspects in custody in connection with the
recent rash of home burglaries throughout Highland County.
On Tuesday December 5, 2006 at 11:11 am, an Adams County resident
returned to her home to find it had been burglarized and two males outside. One
male fled on foot into a woods adjacent to the home. The other male left the
scene in a vehicle, but not before the female resident was dragged by the
suspect vehicle in her effort to stop the driver from leaving.
The Adams County Sheriff’s
Office responded to the report of the burglary and requested the Highland County
Sheriff’s Aircraft to respond to the area. The suspect on foot was taken into
custody a short time later. A second suspect, and the suspect vehicle, were
located at residence in Hillsboro where he was taken into custody. Several
pieces of evidence were recovered from the vehicle and a residence in Hillsboro
tying the men to three area burglaries. At the time of this release, the men
were in custody but have not been formally charged. Highland County and Adams
County Sheriff Detectives, along with the Hillsboro Police are currently
interviewing the men and expect to clear numerous home burglaries throughout
Highland County as well as at least two in Adams. The burglaries have occurred
over the past 10 weeks. HCSO Detectives will be in touch with area residents in
the coming days in an attempt to identify property recovered during this
investigation.
The suspects’ identity will be
made public when they are formally charged, and this is expected sometime on
Thursday December 7, 2006.
NEW YORK
MAN ARRESTED FOR THREATENING HIGHLAND COUNTY TEEN OVER THE INTERNET
The
Highland County Sheriff’s Office, along with the Tompkins County Sheriff’s
Office in New York report that an arrest was made after a Tompkins County New
York man threatened a local teen over the Internet.
Shuan C. Brown, age 25, of Newfield, New
York, was arrested on December 4, 2006, under Federal charges of using the
Internet to persuade, coerce, and entice a minor to engage in sexual conduct,
and interstate transmission of threatening communications.
The arrest was made by the Federal Bureau of
Investigation in Binghampton, New York, and the Tompkins County (NY) Sheriff’s
Office. The arrest is the result of
a joint investigation by the Highland County Sheriff’s Office and the Tompkins
County Sheriff’s Office over the past month.
The allegations came to light after a Highland County family contacted
the Highland County Sheriff’s Office and reported that a subject had
threatened and enticed their 14 year-old daughter to expose herself via a web
camera on the Internet. The suspect
then posted the picture on the web and the victim found out about it.
An investigation was initiated in Highland County by the Sheriff’s
Office, with the assistance Hillsboro Police Department, that uncovered the
identity of the suspect as that of Shuan C. Brown in Tompkins County New York.
It was further learned that Brown was 25 years of age.
The Tompkins County Sheriff’s Office was contacted and took over the
investigation. Investigators in
Tompkins County executed a search warrant and seized Brown’s computer.
During this time Brown was also interviewed and admitted to the
allegations. Forensic analysis of
the computer in New York uncovered the image in question of the Highland County
juvenile.
The case will be presented in United States
District Court in the Northern District of New York.
Shaun C. Brown was arraigned on December 4, 2006, and is said to have a
detention hearing scheduled for Thursday, December 7, 2006.
Sheriff Ward would like to stress the
importance of Internet safety. While
the Internet is a wonderful tool, dangers are associated with it. Parents should monitor their child’s activity on the
Internet, keep educated on the web sites and chat rooms that their child is
visiting, discourage the use or web cams and communicating with strangers, not
allowing their child to post personal information or photos, and keeping the
computer in a public area of the home. Parents
should be aware that predators are out on the Internet and will take advantage
of children.
ABANDONED METH LAB LOCATED
BY HUNTERS
On
Saturday, December 2, 2006, the Highland County Sheriff’s Office received a
report from an individual that had been deer hunting in the 6200 block of
Pondlick Road in Concord Township. The
individual reported that they discovered what appeared to be a methamphetamine
lab located in an abandoned barn on the property.
Deputies and Detectives were dispatched to the scene.
Upon investigation, it was learned someone had been manufacturing
methamphetamine at this site and had left their clandestine lab at this
location. Numerous items related to
the manufacture of methamphetamine were discovered at this location. The items were secured and an environmental clean up crew
responded to the scene and removed the items.
Additional items were taken as evidence and will be sent in the near
future to the Ohio Bureau of Identification and Investigation (BCI&I) to
their crime laboratory in London, Ohio.
Sheriff
Ward reminds citizens who come across possible meth lab sites, or meth lab
dumpsites, to use caution and not to handle any of the materials.
The materials and methods used to manufacture methamphetamine can be
extremely dangerous and are very hazardous.
Anyone who comes in contact with a possible meth lab should contact the
Highland County Sheriff’s Office immediately to report the situation.
Never attempt to investigate yourself, as these situations are very
dangerous and call for specialized personnel for assessment and clean up.
Highland County Sheriff and
Engineer Discuss High Cost of Traffic Sign Repair and Replacement Due to Theft
and Vandalism
Highland County Sheriff Ronald D. Ward and Highland County
Engineer P. Dean Otworth, P.E., P.S. announce that the Highland County Engineers
Office has spent approximately $7800.00 in replacement and repair of 107 county
owned road signs between June 1, 2006 and November 1, 2006. Engineer Otworth
stated “these costs are directly related to the vandalism and theft of the
road signs that are erected to identify roads and traffic control signs such as
stop signs and speed limit signs.”
Highland County Sheriff Ronald Ward
reports that his office has seen an increase of vandalism to local signs over
the summer. Sheriff Ward stated “we have reports of several signs being spray
painted, some with what appears to be a stenciled cross, usually on the rear of
the sign. We would be interested to know what, significance, if any this symbol
has. We have also seen an increase of stop signs being stolen.” Sheriff Ward
reports that the theft and/or the vandalism of these signs is a criminal offense
and should the removal of the signs contribute to a vehicle crash, the persons
responsible could face several years in the penitentiary.
Sheriff Ward and Engineer Otworth appeal
to the public to be vigilant and report any suspicious activity to the Highland
County Sheriff’s Office regarding the tampering of these signs.
BODY OF MISSING PERSON LOCATED
On
November 17, 2006, at 8:29 a.m. the Greenfield Police Department received a call
for welfare check on Shelia Nelson, age 52, of Greenhills Drive in Greenfield.
On November 17, 2006, at 11:43 a.m. the department received information
that Shelia Nelson had apparently left her residence on November 16, 2006, and
not been heard from since that time.
On
November 17, 2006, the Highland County Sheriff’s Office was contacted by the
Greenfield Police Department regarding information they had received that the
vehicle Shelia Nelson had been using was located in a field off Centerfield Road
in Madison Township just east of Wilson Road near the State Wildlife Area.
A Greenfield Police Officer was dispatched to check the area.
At approximately 8:40 p.m., the Highland County Sheriff’s Office was
notified that the body of a female had been discovered by the officer in the
area near the location of the vehicle. The body was later identified as Shelia
Nelson, the missing person from Greenfield.
Sheriff’s
Deputies and Detectives along with Highland County Coroner
Dr.
Paul Terrell were called to the scene to investigate. Dr. Terrell ordered the body to be removed from the scene and
sent to the Montgomery County Coroner’s Office for autopsy.
At
this time the investigation remains under investigation pending further
investigation and the results of the autopsy.
NEW D.A.R.E. OFFICER
APPOINTED
Highland County Sheriff Ron Ward is
pleased to announce that Deputy Bobby D. Stroop has been appointed as the
D.A.R.E. officer for Highland County. On October 27, 2006
Deputy Stroop graduated from the 55th D.A.R.E. Officer
Training Class at the Ohio Police Officer Training Academy in London, Ohio. Out
of a class of 26 officers, Deputy Stroop was selected by his classmates to be
the spokesman for the class during graduation ceremonies.
The D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance
Education) program is an internationally recognized model program created in
1983 by the Los Angeles Police Department and the Los Angeles Unified School
District. The D.A.R.E. program provides students in kindergarten through high
school with the skills necessary to recognize and resist pressure to experiment
with drugs and to avoid gangs and violence. Lessons emphasize self-esteem,
decision making, interpersonal communications skills, the consequences of drug
abuse, conflict resolution and positive alternatives to substance abuse.
The most important facet of D.A.R.E. is
the use of specially trained officers to deliver the curriculum within the
schools. Officers are accepted as authorities on drug abuse, as they deal with
those who abuse drugs and the consequences on a daily basis.
In
order to be certified to instruct D.A.R.E. Deputy Stroop was first interviewed
by a panel of police executives, D.A.R.E. officers and school administrators.
After his approval, Deputy Stroop completed two weeks(80 hours) of intensive
training by Ohio’s accredited Training Center. Officers are trained by the Law
Enforcement Foundation which has the sole permission to train D.A.R.E. officers
in Ohio.
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