Meigs Woman Sentenced in Connection with Gallia Man’s Death

GALLIPOLIS, Ohio – A Meigs County woman has been sentenced to 12 years in prison connected to the death of Terry R. Rothgeb.

According to Gallia County Prosecuting Attorney Jason D. Holdren, Lacey J. Young, 30, of Middleport, Ohio, was recently sentenced by Judge Margaret Evans of the Gallia County Common Pleas Court. Young was sentenced to 12 years in prison after being convicted of the following charges: Gross Abuse of a Corpse, Tampering with Evidence, two counts of Escape, and two counts of Complicity to Assault of a Peace Officer.

Lacey J. Young is the last of three co-defendants to be convicted and sentenced for their actions after the death of Terry R. Rothgeb.

“In February of 2017, our investigation shows that Mr. Rothgeb fatally overdosed,” stated Holdren. “Present with him at the time were Ralph W. Young, Jr., Leeza D. Bartles, and Lacey J. Young. Instead of calling 911 or taking any responsible or appropriate actions, these individuals placed Mr. Rothgeb’s body in a van and ultimately abandoned the van in a wooded area in an attempt to hide the body and not be caught. Due to the diligent and thorough efforts of our local law enforcement officers, which were led by Detective Brady Curry of the Gallia County Sheriff’s Office, this case was solved and Ralph W. Young, Jr., Leeza D. Bartles, and Lacey J. Young were all indicted by the Gallia County Grand Jury in March of 2017 for Gross Abuse of a Corpse and Tampering with Evidence.”

Holdren added, “Ralph W. Young, Jr. and Leeza D. Bartles are both in prison following their convictions for Gross Abuse of a Corpse and Tampering with Evidence. After being indicted, Lacey J. Young temporarily avoided arrest by fleeing the area. Little did she know that Gallia County Sheriff Matt Champlin arranged for the United States Marshal Service to track her down and bring her to justice. Following her arrest, Ms. Young compounded her problems by trying to escape from the Gallia County Jail on two different occasions.”

I would like to thank Sheriff Matt Champlin and the Gallia County Sheriff’s Office, agents of the Gallia-Meigs Major Crimes Task Force, and the United States Marshal Service for the thorough investigation and collaborative efforts,” added Holdren. “Our thoughts and prayers remain with Mr. Rothgeb’s family.”

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