May 23, 2001 — Patrol joins forces in Operation ABC Mobilization
May 23, 2001 — Maryland man to be arraigned in Preble County Court on drug trafficking charges
May 21, 2001 — Arizona man to be arraigned in Preble County Court on drug trafficking charges
May 17, 2001 — Patrol Fallen Officers Memorial Ceremony to be held May 18, 2001
May 8, 2001 — Kalchert named Auxiliary Officer of the Year
May 7, 2001 — Texas man to be arraigned on drug charges
May 3, 2001 — Former Northcoast patient sentenced for assault
Columbus -- In a nationwide effort to focus attention on protecting children, Ohio State Highway Patrol troopers across the state are joining over 6,000 businesses and law enforcement and government agencies throughout the country in Operation ABC Mobilization - America Buckling Up Children. The event is the largest-ever coordinated crackdown on drivers who don’t buckle up children by stepping up enforcement of Ohio’s child passenger safety law throughout the Memorial Day holiday weekend.
"Drivers and parents need to get the message. Troopers will be out in force protecting children from the greatest danger they face - being unrestrained in a crash," Colonel Kenneth L. Morckel, Patrol superintendent said. "You may not be able to avoid a crash, but you can decrease the chances of being seriously injured or killed if everyone is properly restrained with a safety belt or in a child safety seat."
Additionally, during the Memorial Day weekend, the Patrol will participate in the Ohio Department of Public Safety "What’s Holding You Back?" safety belt campaign. Troopers will focus on education and enforcement in this campaign designed to increase safety belt usage in Ohio.
Ohio’s child passenger safety law requires children under four years of age or under 40 pounds be restrained in a child safety seat. Throughout the week, troopers will be looking for child passenger safety violations as well as adult safety belt violations. Unlike Ohio’s safety belt law, if a trooper sees an unrestrained child, the driver can be stopped for the child safety seat violation.
A total of eight people were killed in crashes on Ohio’s roadways over the 2000 Memorial Day holiday weekend. Of the eight people killed, six had safety belts available, but only three were wearing them at the time of the crash.
Eaton – A Maryland man is scheduled to appear in the Preble County Court today after Ohio State Highway Patrol troopers recovered nearly $6.1 million worth of cocaine on Interstate 70 eastbound, near milepost 10, on Tuesday. Troopers said Leobardo Hernandez, 41, of Silver Spring, Maryland, was charged with drug trafficking, a first-degree felony, and possession of criminal tools, a fifth-degree felony.
At 1:45 p.m. Tuesday, a Toyota pickup was stopped by troopers for a following too close violation. A drug-detecting canine was called to the scene and alerted to the vehicle. A probable cause search revealed 61 kilograms of cocaine located in a false compartment in the bed of the pickup.
Hernandez was incarcerated at the Preble County Jail. If convicted, Hernandez could face up to 11 years in prison, and up to a $22,500 fine.
Eaton – An Arizona man is scheduled to appear in the Preble County Court today after Ohio State Highway Patrol troopers recovered nearly $340,000 worth of marijuana on Interstate 70 eastbound, near milepost 13, on Saturday. Troopers said Alan J. Einfeld, 33, of Phoenix, Arizona, was charged with drug trafficking, a second-degree felony, and possession of criminal tools, a fifth-degree felony.
At 12:29 p.m. Saturday, a rented Nissan passenger car was stopped by troopers for a following too close violation and failure to move over for a stopped law enforcement vehicle. A drug-detecting canine was called to the scene and alerted to the vehicle. A probable cause search revealed 150 pounds of marijuana located in two large cardboard boxes on the back seat, and in two boxes in the trunk of the Nissan.
Einfeld was incarcerated at the Preble County Jail. If convicted, Einfeld could face up to 11 years in prison, and up to a $17,500 fine.
Note to Editor: For photographs of the drugs, contact the Patrol’s Crime Lab in Columbus at (614) 466-4790
| What: | Ohio State Highway Patrol Fallen Officers Memorial Ceremony |
| When: | Friday, May 18, 2001, 1:00 p.m. |
| Where: | Ohio State Highway Patrol Academy 740 East 17th Avenue (I-71 @ 17th Ave., near Ohio Expo Center) |
| Who: | Governor Bob Taft Colonel Kenneth L. Morckel, Superintendent, OSHP Family and friends of the Ohio State Highway Patrol |
The Ohio State Highway Patrol will recognize and honor its 34 fallen officers. Family members, including those of Tpr. Robert Perez, Jr. who died on May 15, 2000, will join past and present Patrol officers in observance.
Columbus – Auxiliary Officer James C. Kalchert, of the Ohio State Highway Patrol’s Medina post, was selected as the 2000 Auxiliary Officer of the Year.
Kalchert volunteered 791 hours in 2000. These hours included 593 hours on patrol, of which 41 hours were on the midnight shift. He worked 24 hours at the Ohio State Fair and the remainder of his hours were served on various details. During the summer holiday weekends in 2000, Kalchert assisted the Medina post management in setting up and serving lunch during each holiday.
Kalchert is an auto technician for Marshall Ford in Cleveland. He and his wife, Margaret, reside in North Olmsted. They have two children, Jennifer, 20, and Matt, 19.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol Auxiliary was formed in 1942 when many commissioned troopers began entering the armed forces during World War II. Today, Patrol Auxiliary officers contribute thousands of hours in an assortment of functions, including: assisting at automobile and aircraft crashes, natural disasters, and manhunts; answering phones at Patrol posts during emergency situations; and working with troopers at sobriety checkpoints and holiday safety events in rest areas.
Eaton – A Texas man is scheduled to appear in the Preble County Court today after Ohio State Highway Patrol troopers recovered nearly $80,000 worth of marijuana on Interstate 70 eastbound, near milepost 14, on Friday. Troopers said Jorge A. Martinez, 22, of Dallas, Texas, was charged with drug trafficking, a third-degree felony.
At 11:04 a.m. Friday, a Chevrolet passenger car was stopped by troopers for a following too close violation. A drug-detecting canine was called to the scene and alerted to the vehicle. A probable cause search revealed 34 pounds of marijuana in two duffel bags in the trunk.
Martinez was incarcerated at the Preble County Jail. If convicted, Martinez could face up to five years in prison, and up to a $10,000 fine.
Cleveland – A former patient of the Northcoast Behavioral Healthcare System north campus, was sentenced in the Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court today, on felony charges of felonious assault and kidnapping stemming from an attack on a Northcoast nurse. Troopers said Buford W. Gipson, 22, plead guilty to all charges and was sentenced to 16 years in prison.
Troopers said Gipson was awaiting a court ordered competency evaluation when the incident occurred on October 29, 2000. The investigation revealed Gipson had attacked and choked a nurse until she was unconscious. Staff members heard the altercation and later found Gipson and the victim.
The case was presented to the Cuyahoga County Grand Jury on November 2, 2000. Gipson subsequently was indicted with one count of first-degree attempted murder, one count of second-degree felonious assault, and one count of second-degree felony kidnapping.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol investigates criminal activity on state owned and leased property.