December Grand Jury indictments released

(Editor’s Note: An indictment by a grand jury does not mean the individual is guilty of a crime. It is part of the legal process. All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.)

POMEROY, Ohio – Meigs County Prosecuting Attorney James K. Stanley announces that on December 12, 2018, the Meigs County Grand Jury returned indictments against eighteen individuals.  Those indicted include the following:

Angela Barnhart, 35, of Albany, Ohio, was indicted for Theft, a felony of the fourth degree.  Barnhart is alleged to have stolen a motor vehicle from the Albany area of Meigs County.  This case was investigated by the Meigs County Sheriff’s Office.

Ethan Dovenbarger, 24, of Gallipolis, Ohio, was indicted for Burglary, a felony of the second degree.  Dovenbarger is alleged to have illegally entered a home near Pageville with two other individuals, one of whom is alleged to have assaulted an occupant.  This case was investigated by the Meigs County Sheriff’s Office.

Jonathan Gaus, 31, of Rutland, Ohio, was indicted for Burglary, a felony of the second degree.  Gaus is alleged to have illegally entered a home near Pageville with two other individuals, one of whom is alleged to have assaulted an occupant.  This case was investigated by the Meigs County Sheriff’s Office.

Michael Hankinson, 36, of Pomeroy, Ohio, was indicted for Possession of Drugs (Heroin), a felony of the third degree, Possession of Drugs (Fentanyl), a felony of the third degree, Possession of Drugs (Alprazolam), a felony of the fifth degree, Possession of Drugs (Buprenorphine), a felony of the fifth degree, Failure to Comply with Order or Signal of Police Officer, a felony of the third degree, and Resisting Arrest, a misdemeanor of the second degree.  Deputies responded to a report of a driver of a motor vehicle, later determined to be Hankinson, passed out behind the wheel while in the roadway on Howell Hill Road.  Hankinson is alleged to have awakened and fled the scene despite orders and signals to stop his vehicle.  Once eventually stopped, Hankinson is alleged to have resisted arrest.  After arrest, Hankinson is alleged to have been in possession of heroin, fentanyl, alprazolam, and buprenorphine.  This case was investigated by the Meigs County Sheriff’s Office.

Isaiah Hayburn, 22, of Pomeroy, Ohio, was indicted for Domestic Violence, a felony of the fifth degree, and Violating a Protection Order, a felony of the third degree.  Hayburn is alleged to have violated a protection order prohibiting him from having contact with the victim and assaulting the victim, who was pregnant at the time.  This case was investigated by the Pomeroy Police Department.

Tasha Johnson, 37, of Pomeroy, Ohio, was indicted for Endangering Children, a felony of the third degree.  Johnson is alleged to have permitted a minor child to be present in a residence in which drug offenses were committed in the child’s presence.  This case was investigated by the Pomeroy Police Department.

Cynthia Kline, 42, of Middleport, Ohio, was indicted for Illegal Use of Food Stamps or WIC Program Benefits, a felony of the fifth degree.  Kline is alleged to have illegally possessed and used another person’s food stamps benefits.  This case was investigated by the Meigs County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office.

Brandon Larkins, 38, of Pomeroy, Ohio, was indicted for Trafficking in Drugs (Marijuana), a felony of the fourth degree, Trafficking in Drugs (Marijuana), a felony of the fifth degree, Trafficking in Drugs (Marijuana), a felony of the fifth degree, Cultivation of Marijuana, a misdemeanor of the third degree, Endangering Children, a felony of the third degree, and Possession of Drugs (Marijuana), a misdemeanor of the fourth degree.  Larkins is alleged to have trafficked marijuana on numerous occasions, to have possessed and cultivated marijuana, and to have permitted a minor child to be present in a residence in which drug offenses were committed in the child’s presence.  This case was investigated by the Pomeroy Police Department.

Wesley McKinney, 29, of Pomeroy, Ohio, was indicted for Domestic Violence, a felony of the fifth degree.  McKinney is alleged to have assaulted the victim, who was pregnant at the time.  This case was investigated by the Meigs County Sheriff’s Office.

Colton Neutzling, 20, of Pomeroy, Ohio, was indicted for Burglary, a felony of the second degree, and Assault, a misdemeanor of the first degree.  Neutzling is alleged to have illegally entered a home near Pageville with two other individuals and is alleged to have assaulted an occupant.  This case was investigated by the Meigs County Sheriff’s Office.

Nicholas Price, 29, of Portland, Ohio, was indicted for Failure to Notify Change of Address, a felony of the fourth degree.  Price is alleged to have failed to notify the sheriff’s office of a change of address as is required by law for registered sex offenders.  This case was investigated by the Meigs County Sheriff’s Office.

Ray Ratcliff, 33, of Middleport, Ohio, was indicted for Disseminating Matter Harmful to Juveniles, a felony of the fifth degree, and Unlawful Sexual Conduct with a Minor, a felony of the third degree.  Ratcliff is alleged to have sent nude photographs to a minor fifteen-year-old female and to have engaged in sexual conduct with that minor.  This case was investigated by the Meigs County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office.

Floyd Riffle, 57, of Middleport, Ohio, was indicted for Possession of Drugs (Methamphetamine), a felony of the third degree.  Riffle is alleged to have been in possession of methamphetamine at a residence in Middleport.  This case was investigated by the Middleport Police Department.

Russell Robinson, 38, of Middleport, Ohio, was indicted for two counts of Illegal Use of Food Stamps or WIC Program Benefits, each a felony of the fifth degree.  Robinson is alleged to have illegally possessed and used another person’s food stamp benefits.  This case was investigated by the Meigs County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office.

Stephanie Shamblin, 27, of Racine, Ohio, was indicted for Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle, a felony of the fifth degree.  Shamblin is alleged to have possessed another’s motor vehicle beyond the scope of authorization to use that motor vehicle.  This case was investigated by the Meigs County Sheriff’s Office.

Michael Stewart, 32, of Cheshire, Ohio, was indicted for Possession of Drugs (Methamphetamine), a felony of the fifth degree, and Trespass, a misdemeanor of the fourth degree.  Stewart is alleged to have trespassed onto the property of another and to have refused to leave.  Stewart is alleged to have been in possession of methamphetamine at the time of the incident.  This case was investigated by the Pomeroy Police Department.

Sonja Stiffler, 48, of Middleport, Ohio, was indicted for Possession of Drugs (Methamphetamine), a felony of the fifth degree.  Stiffler is alleged to have been in possession of methamphetamine during an encounter with law enforcement pursuant to a reported overdose.  This case was investigated by the Middleport Police Department.

Glenn Young, 30, of Racine, Ohio, was indicted for Possession of Drugs (Methamphetamine), a felony of the fifth degree.  Young is alleged to have been in possession of methamphetamine during a traffic stop.  This case was investigated by the Pomeroy Police Department.

All cases will proceed in the Meigs County Court of Common Pleas before Judge I. Carson Crow.

For informational purposes, possible penalties for felony offenses include: felonies of the first degree- 3-11 years in prison and up to a $20,000 fine; felonies of the second degree- 2-8 years in prison and up to a $15,000 fine; felonies of the third degree- 9-36 months in prison and up to a $10,000 fine; felonies of the fourth degree- 6-18 months in prison and up to a $5,000 fine; felonies of the fifth degree- 6-12 months in prison and up to a $2,500 fine.  For most felonies of the fourth and fifth degrees, sentencing guidelines found in the Ohio Revised Code require first-time offenders to be sentenced to community control unless certain conditions exist permitting the imposition of a prison sentence.