January 29, 2001 -- Troopers recover 440 pounds of marijuana in Preble County
January 23, 2001 -- Orient correction officer arraigned for conveying drugs
January 11, 2001 - Mansfield correction officer charged with conveying drugs
January 11, 2001 - Trumbull County fatal crash under investigation
January 8, 2001 - Suspect arrested conveying drugs into PCI
January 5, 2001 - Promotions reshape Patrol's senior staff
Eaton – Two men are scheduled to appear in the Preble County Court today after Ohio State Highway Patrol troopers recovered $1.1 million worth of marijuana at the Interstate 70 platform scale in Preble County last Friday. Troopers said Anthony K. Stephen, 37, of Jamaica, and Wilmot A. Kerr, 37, of St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands, were each charged with possession of marijuana, a second-degree felony.
Troopers said at 11:20 a.m. Friday, the 2000 Volvo tractor towing a box trailer being driven by Stephen was determined to be overweight at the Interstate 70 platform scale in Preble County. Due to the vehicle which was hauling produce being overweight, troopers had Stephen pull around to the back of the scales. While speaking with the vehicle occupants several criminal indicators were present. A drug detecting canine was summoned to the scene and alerted to the cab of the vehicle. During a search, troopers found 14 boxes of marijuana, weighing approximately 440 pounds, in the top bunk of the sleeper area.
Both suspects were incarcerated at the Preble County Jail. If convicted of the second-degree felony, each suspect faces up to eight years in prison, and a maximum $15,000 fine.
Circleville -- A correction officer at the Orient Correctional Institution was arraigned yesterday in the Circleville Municipal Court on felony charges after he was found attempting to convey marijuana into the institution on January 20, 2001. Troopers said Richard A. Love, 37, of Thornville, was charged with one count of third-degree felony conveying drugs into a detention facility.
Troopers and Department of Rehabilitation and Correction investigators developed information that Love had planned to convey marijuana into the Orient Correctional Institution on Saturday afternoon. Love was stopped by investigators at 1:30 p.m., at which time he handed investigators a lunch bag containing 121 grams of marijuana.
Love was incarcerated at the Circleville Jail. If convicted, he could face up to five years in prison and a $10,000 fine. The Ohio State Highway Patrol investigates criminal activity on state owned and leased property.
Mansfield - A correction officer at the Mansfield Correctional Institution is scheduled to be arraigned today in the Mansfield Municipal Court on felony charges after she was found attempting to convey prescription pain killers to an inmate yesterday. Troopers said Toni M. Wyatt, 45, of 215 Spring Street in Mansfield, was charged with one count of third-degree felony conveying drugs into a detention facility.
Troopers and Department of Rehabilitation and Correction investigators developed information that Wyatt had planned to convey prescription drugs to an inmate of the Mansfield Correctional Institution. Wyatt was stopped by investigators at 1:25 p.m. yesterday, and a consent search revealed 55 dosage units of Lodine, and 63 dosage units of Cyclobenzaprine.
Wyatt was incarcerated at the Richland County Jail. If convicted, she could face up to five years in prison and a $10,000 fine. The Ohio State Highway Patrol investigates criminal activity on state owned and leased property.
Warren - The Ohio State Highway Patrol's Warren post is currently investigating a fatal crash that occurred at 2:18 a.m. today at the intersection of North River Road and Elm Road in Trumbull County.
Patrol investigators said Tpr. Lee Sredniawa, a six-year trooper, attempted to stop a suspected drunk driver, who subsequently fled. Tpr. Sredniawa, with emergency lights and siren activated, observed the fleeing vehicle travel through the North River Road and Elm Road intersection. The trooper then entered the intersection subsequently colliding with a southbound 1990 Lincoln, driven by Joseph Robertson, 18, of Warren. Robertson later succumbed to injuries as a result of the crash. Paul Ottum, 18, of Hubbard, who was a passenger in the Lincoln, received serious injuries and was transported to Trumbull Memorial Hospital.
The suspect vehicle driven by Colin Roberts, 19, of Warren, subsequently returned past the crash scene and the Warren Police Department attempted to initiate a traffic stop. Roberts again eluded law enforcement officers, crashing a short time later and was apprehended. That investigation is being handled by the Trumbull County Sheriff's Office.
Circleville - The Ohio State Highway Patrol reported today that Kristein E. Cannon-Sherridan, 21, of Columbus, is scheduled to appear today in the Circleville Municipal Court on charges that she attempted to convey marijuana into the Pickaway Correctional Institution (PCI) yesterday. Cannon-Sherridan was charged with conveying drugs into a detention facility, a third-degree felony. Cannon-Sherridan was incarcerated in the Pickaway County Jail.
Troopers and Department of Rehabilitation and Correction investigators developed information that Cannon-Sherridan had planned to convey marijuana into the correctional institution during her scheduled visit. After a consent search was granted, investigators searched her 1993 Mazda 626 and approximately two-grams of marijuana were found in an "Altoid Mint" container, which was wrapped in plastic.
If convicted, Cannon-Sherridan could face up to five years in prison and a $10,000 fine. Additional charges are pending and the investigation continues. The Ohio State Highway Patrol investigates criminal activity on state owned and leased property.
Columbus - Three Ohio State Highway Patrol officers were promoted today to the rank of major and are the newest members of Colonel Kenneth L. Morckel's senior staff.
Captain Arthur A. Reitz, Jr., of the Office of Investigative Services was promoted to the rank of major and will assume command of the Office of Investigative Services as a member of Col. Morckel's senior staff. He replaces Major Michael Quinn who retired after 30 years of service. A native of Westlake, Major Reitz is a 27-year veteran of the Patrol.
Captain Steven M. Raubenolt, commander of the Ohio State Highway Patrol's Planning Services Section, was promoted to the rank of major and will assume command of the Office of Technology and Communications Services. He replaces Major Robert Myers who retired after 30 years of service. Major Raubenolt is originally from Ashland and received his Patrol commission in 1973.
Captain J. P. Allen, legislative liaison for the Ohio State Highway Patrol, was promoted to the rank of major and will assume command of the newly created Office of Planning and Information Services. A native of North Canton, Major Allen has 29 years of service with the Patrol.
Promotion ceremonies were held at 10:00 a.m. this morning at the Patrol Academy.