March 27, 2024

Casteel Sentenced for Fleeing Law Enforcement

POMEROY, Ohio – A man has been sentenced for fleeing law enforcement to 18 months in prison.

Cody Casteel, 27, appeared before Judge Linda Warner in the Meigs County Common Pleas Court on July 12 for a change of plea and sentencing hearing. Casteel was represented by attorney, Denise Bunce. Meigs County Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Jeff Adkins represented the state.

Casteel entered a guilty plea and was convicted of one count of Failure to Comply with Order or Signal of a Police Officer, a felony of the third degree.

Casteel had multiple indictments following an incident on March 18, 2022. He was indicted with: one count of Failure to Comply with the Order or Signal of a Police Officer, a felony of the third degree; one count of Resisting Arrest, a felony of the fourth degree; one count of Aggravated Menacing, a misdemeanor of the first degree. He was only convicted of the one count, however, with the guilty plea. The other counts were dismissed without prejudice due to the plea agreement.

On March 18, a Meigs County Sheriff’s Deputy attempted to stop a vehicle driven by Casteel. He led law enforcement on a chase from Union Avenue to State Route 7 to State Route 143 to Ball Run Road. The pursuit ended at the intersection of Ball Run Road and Bunker Hill Church Road. Casteel crashed the vehicle, exited and pulled a firearm on a deputy. He then fled into the woods on foot. Law enforcement involved that day included the Meigs County Sheriff’s Office, Ohio State Highway Patrol, Pomeroy Police Department, Middleport Police Department, and Gallia County Sheriff’s Office.

Judge Warner sentenced Casteel to 18 months prison. Casteel was given credit for 89 days served. He is subject to post release control for up to two years. Additionally, Casteel’s drivers license is suspended for five years effective July 12, 2022. He has to pay court costs as well.

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