July 27, 2001— Chillicothe man charged for conspiracy to convey
July 27, 2001 -- Erie County sobriety checkpoint location announced
July 27, 2001 -- Clermont County sobriety checkpoint location announced
July 27, 2001 -- New major named to senior staff
July 26, 2001 -- Clermont County schedules sobriety checkpoint
July 26, 2001 -- Erie County schedules sobriety checkpoint
July 24, 2001 -- Sandusky woman to be arraigned for attempted conveyance
July 23, 2001 -- Sobriety checkpoints slated for this weekend
July 16, 2001 -- Woman to be arraigned for attempted conveyance
Columbus – A Chillicothe man appeared in the Franklin County Municipal Court today on felony charges after he was found conspiring to convey more than one pound of marijuana into the Ross Correctional Institution. Troopers said Skyland Cousins, 24, was charged with conspiracy to convey drugs into a correctional institution and bribery, both third-degree felonies.
Troopers, Department of Rehabilitation and Correction, and Adult Parole Authority investigators developed information that Cousins accepted a bribe of $500 and planned to convey 98 grams of marijuana into the Ross Correctional Institution. Cousins was arrested yesterday evening in Columbus.
Cousins was incarcerated at the Franklin County Jail. If convicted, he could face up to five years in prison and a $10,000 fine for each felony. He was arraigned today with bond set at $100,000. The investigation is on going. The Ohio State Highway Patrol investigates criminal activity on state owned and leased property.
Sandusky-- The Ohio State Highway Patrol confirmed today that troopers, deputies from the Erie County Sheriff’s Office, and Sandusky police officers will be operating a sobriety checkpoint tonight, on State Route 101 north of State Route 2 in Margaretta Township from 10:00 p.m. to 3:00 a.m.
Lieutenant David Cope, commander of the Sandusky Patrol Post, said that sobriety checkpoints are designed to encourage those who plan to consume alcoholic beverages to plan for a designated driver or to make other arrangements.
"That is our ultimate goal. We want to discourage potential drinking drivers. However, the checkpoint is designed to remove impaired drivers from the road and that is what we intend to do," Lt. Cope added.
Batavia-- The Ohio State Highway Patrol confirmed today that troopers and deputies from the Clermont County Sheriff’s Office will be operating a sobriety checkpoint on State Route 125, east of the village of Amelia from 9:30 p.m. until 3:00 am tonight.
Lieutenant Paul Hermes, commander of the Batavia Patrol Post, said that sobriety checkpoints are designed to encourage those who plan to consume alcoholic beverages to plan for a designated driver or to make other arrangements.
"That is our ultimate goal. We want to discourage potential drinking drivers. However, the checkpoint is designed to remove impaired drivers from the road and that is what we intend to do," Lt. Hermes added.
Columbus – Captain
Peyton L. Watts, executive officer of the Ohio State Highway Patrol Academy, was
promoted to the rank of major by Colonel Kenneth L. Morckel, superintendent.
Major Watts will assume command of the Patrol Academy as a member of Col.
Morckel’s senior staff, overseeing the Office of Recruitment and Training.
Major Watts joined the Patrol in May 1977 as a cadet dispatcher at the
Delaware post and became a member of the 101st Academy Class the following
September. He received his commission as a trooper in January 1978 and was
assigned to the West Jefferson post, where he earned the Certificate of
Recognition for his lifesaving actions at an automobile fire on State Route 142
in October 1978.
In January 1982, he transferred to the Patrol Academy, where he served until
being promoted to sergeant in July 1987 and transferred to the Zanesville post.
He received his promotion to lieutenant in 1991, and served as post commander at Lima. In March 1994, he was promoted to staff lieutenant and served as assistant commander at the Piqua District headquarters.
Promoted to captain in January 1997, Major Watts served as commander of the Cambridge District headquarters. In March 1997 he was reassigned to the Patrol Academy, overseeing recruitment and, in January 2000, overseeing training.
A native of Columbus, Major Watts graduated from South High School in 1971. He resides in Columbus and has a daughter, Mianda, and a son, Peyton.
Batavia- - The Ohio State Highway Patrol and the Clermont County Sheriff’s Office, announced today that a sobriety checkpoint will be held in Clermont County on Friday, July 27, to deter and intercept impaired drivers. Lieutenant Paul Hermes, commander of the Batavia Patrol Post, said that officers will be conducting a roadside check of drivers for alcohol and drug impairment.
"It is our intent to inform people that officers will be vigilant in detecting and apprehending impaired drivers. We want to impress upon those who will be consuming alcohol to plan for a designated driver or to make other arrangements," Lt. Hermes said.
The exact location of the checkpoint will be announced Friday afternoon. Support in operating the upcoming checkpoint will be supplied by the Ohio Department of Transportation.
Sandusky — The Ohio State Highway Patrol, Erie County Sheriff’s Office, and the Sandusky Police Department announced today that a sobriety checkpoint will be held in Erie County on Friday, July 27, to deter and intercept impaired drivers. Lieutenant David Cope, commander of the Sandusky Patrol Post, said that officers will be conducting a roadside check of drivers for alcohol and drug impairment.
"It is our intent to inform people that officers will be vigilant in detecting and apprehending impaired drivers. We want to impress upon those who will be consuming alcohol to plan for a designated driver or to make other arrangements," Lt. Cope said.
The exact location of the checkpoint will be announced Friday afternoon. Support in operating the upcoming checkpoint will be supplied by the Ohio Department of Transportation.
Sandusky – A Sandusky woman is scheduled to appear in the Sandusky Municipal Court today on felony charges after she was found attempting to convey crack-cocaine and marijuana into the North Central Correctional Institution. Troopers said Sylvia Kirksey, 35, was charged with conveying drugs into a correctional institution, a fifth-degree felony.
Troopers and Department of Rehabilitation and Correction investigators developed information that Kirksey planned to mail illegal narcotics in food boxes to inmates. On Friday, the Patrol and the Erie County Drug Task Force obtained a search warrant for Kirksey’s home, where they discovered one-half gram of crack-cocaine, 22 grams of marijuana, and drug packaging equipment.
Kirksey was incarcerated at the Erie County Jail on Friday afternoon. If convicted, she could face up to one year in jail, and a $2,500 fine. The Ohio State Highway Patrol investigates criminal activity on state owned and leased property.
Columbus -- Colonel Kenneth L. Morckel, superintendent of the Ohio State Highway Patrol, announced today that troopers will operate three checkpoints to deter and intercept drinking drivers this weekend. Currently, the locations of the upcoming checkpoints are undisclosed. The counties in which the checkpoints will be held will be announced the day prior to each checkpoint, and the exact locations will be announced the morning of each checkpoint.
"It is our intent to inform people that officers will be vigilant in detecting and apprehending impaired drivers. We want to impress upon those that will be consuming alcohol to plan for a designated driver or to make other arrangements. Increasingly it appears that is just what they are doing. Often people are taking
the responsible course and planning not to drive if they are drinking," Colonel Morckel said.
Lt. Governor, Maureen O’Connor, Director of the Department of Public Safety, feels very strongly that checkpoints are effective in preventing the most deadly highway practice; driving under the influence. "Our ultimate goal is to reduce the number of highway deaths and injuries due to drunk and drugged driving. The combination of sobriety checkpoints, heightening public awareness and strictly enforcing laws is making the difference," Director O’Connor added.
Support in operating the upcoming sobriety checkpoints will be provided by local law enforcement agencies.
Lancaster – A Columbus woman is scheduled to appear in the Fairfield Municipal Court today on felony charges after she was found attempting to convey marijuana into the Southeastern Correctional Institution. Troopers said Sonya Leflore, 54, was charged with conveying drugs into a correctional institution, a third-degree felony, and forgery, a fifth-degree felony.
Troopers and Department of Rehabilitation and Correction investigators developed information that Leflore mailed a food box to an inmate, which contained one-half ounce of marijuana. The drugs were intercepted and Leflore was subsequently charged. Leflore was charged with forgery on the packing slip used to mail the food package.
Leflore was incarcerated at the Fairfield County Jail. If convicted, she could face up to five years in prison and a $10,000 fine for the third-degree felony, and up to one year in prison and a $2,500 fine for the fifth-degree felony. The Ohio State Highway Patrol investigates criminal activity on state owned and leased property.