Eaton – A New York woman and Pennsylvania man will be arraigned in the Preble County Municipal Court today on felony drug charges after Ohio State Highway Patrol troopers seized $137,200 worth of crack cocaine and marijuana Saturday afternoon on Interstate 70. Denise Dennie, 25, of Jamaica, N.Y., and Francissco Reid, 27, of Philadelphia, Pa., were charged with first-degree felony possession of crack cocaine and third-degree felony possession of marijuana.
Troopers stopped a rented 2002 Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck, driven by Dennie, on eastbound Interstate 70, at milepost 8, in Preble County at 1:32 p.m. for a marked lanes violation. A K-9 alerted to the vehicle and troopers discovered 514 grams of crack cocaine and 26.5 pounds of marijuana in packages under the back seat. The street value of the crack cocaine is estimated at $77,100 and the marijuana is estimated at $60,100.
If convicted, both Dennie and Reid could face up to 15 years in prison, and up to a $30,000 fine. They are incarcerated at the Preble County Jail.
COLUMBUS, OHIO – Few people know that the Memorial Day weekend marks the beginning of "trauma season" - the summer months, late May to early September - which bring an increase in the number of motor vehicle crashes and related injuries. That is why the American Red Cross and the Ohio State Highway Patrol have joined together to encourage Ohioans to help save lives this summer.
Today, Highway Patrol cadets are leading by example, donating blood at an Academy drive to help ensure an adequate blood supply for central Ohio patients throughout the upcoming holiday weekend.
Together, We Can Save A Life will serve as a motivating theme to support the joint message of prevention and preparedness: preventing highway fatalities through safety belt use, and preparing for a predictable increase in the need for blood to treat victims of life-threatening motor vehicle crashes.
According to the Ohio State Highway Patrol, the summer driving season has historically been the deadliest time of the year on Ohio roads. Over just the three major holiday weekends in 2001, dozens of people were killed in motor vehicle crashes in Ohio. Many more were seriously injured.
"Despite efforts to prevent motor vehicle crashes and related injuries, an increase in vehicles and drivers coupled with warm summer days equate to more deadly crashes," explained Colonel Kenneth L. Morckel, superintendent of the Ohio State Highway Patrol.
In an emergency, when there is insufficient time to determine a crash victim’s blood type, doctors transfuse O negative blood – the universal type generally safe for all patients.
"We have a special need for O negative blood during trauma season," said Catherine West, communications manager for the American Red Cross, Central Ohio Region. "A motor vehicle crash victim can use from 70 to 100 units of blood during emergency surgery. Blood donors – who help ensure that an adequate supply is available to central Ohio hospitals – are truly everyday heroes to patients in need."
The Ohio State Highway Patrol and the American Red Cross share a common commitment to saving lives through the promotion of safety belt usage and the critical need for life-saving blood products.
Columbus – The Ohio State Highway Patrol and the American Red Cross will join together on May 22 to encourage Ohioans to help save lives during the Memorial holiday weekend and throughout the summer trauma season.
Leading by example, Highway Patrol cadets will donate life-saving blood at an academy drive scheduled to begin at 3 p.m. to help ensure an adequate supply for patients in need throughout the upcoming holiday weekend.
As the Red Cross encourages Ohioans to give the "gift of life" this summer – a season characterized by an increased demand, and decreased supply, of blood – the Ohio State Highway Patrol will promote safetybelt usage, reinforcing the importance of buckling up.
Together, We Can Save A Life will serve as a motivating theme to support the joint message of prevention and preparedness: preventing highway fatalities through seatbelt safety, and preparing for a predictable increase in the need for blood to treat victims of life-threatening motor vehicle crashes.
| What: | Ohio State Highway Patrol and American Red Cross media availability (including access to Highway Patrol Training Cadets during a scheduled blood drive) |
| When: | Wednesday, May 22, 2002, 2:30-4:30 p.m. |
| Where: | Ohio State Highway Patrol Academy 740 17th Ave., Columbus 43211 |
Columbus – This upcoming Memorial Day weekend, the Ohio State Highway Patrol is continuing its commitment to zero tolerance safety belt enforcement and involvement in the What’s Holding You Back? campaign. Additional troopers will be patrolling Ohio’s highways in an effort to save lives on this high-volume traffic weekend.
"The goal of the Patrol’s stepped-up enforcement is to save lives by increasing safety belt usage rates in Ohio," Colonel Kenneth L. Morckel, Patrol superintendent said. "It is not our goal to increase citations, but rather decrease the number of lives lost on our highways."
Additionally, the Patrol is joining more than 6,000 businesses and law enforcement and government agencies throughout the country in Operation ABC Mobilization - America Buckling Up Children. Operation ABC Mobilization is a 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.
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 holiday weekend, 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 11 people were killed in seven crashes on Ohio’s roadways over the 2001 Memorial Day holiday weekend. Of the 11 people killed, 10 had safety belts available, but only two were wearing them at the time of the crash.
| What: | Graduation of 29 new Ohio State Highway Patrol Auxiliary Officers |
| When: | Saturday, May 18, 2002, 1:00 p.m. |
| Where: | Ohio Department of Transportation Building 1980 West Broad Street, Columbus |
| Who: | Col. Kenneth L. Morckel, Superintendent,
OSHP Lt. Col. Thomas D. Charles, Commander, OSHP Auxiliary Judge John R. Adkins, Vice President of the Ohio Judicial conference 29 newly appointed OSHP Auxiliary officers |
The Patrol Auxiliary was created in 1942 to provide volunteer support to troopers on patrol, at crash scenes and at natural disasters. The 29 members of this Patrol Auxiliary class will graduate and be sworn in as Ohio’s newest members of the Ohio State Highway Patrol Auxiliary. They will report to their new Post assignments throughout the state.
MARION - The Ohio State Highway Patrol’s Marion Post, in conjunction with the Marion Police Department, and Marion County Sheriff’s Office, announced today that a sobriety checkpoint will be held in Marion County on Saturday, May 18, to deter and intercept impaired drivers. Lt. Ken Garloch, commander of the Marion 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. Garloch said.
The exact location of the checkpoint will be announced Saturday morning.
| What: | Ohio State Highway Patrol Fallen Officers Memorial Ceremony |
| When: | Friday, May 17, 2002, 1:00 p.m. |
| Where: | Ohio State Highway Patrol Academy 740 East 17th Avenue (I-71 @ 17th Ave., near Ohio Expo Center) |
| Who: | Lt. Gov. Maureen O’Connor, Director, Ohio Dept. of
Public Safety 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 35 fallen officers. Family members, including those of Tpr. Frank G. Vazquez who died on November 6, 2001, will join past and present Patrol officers in observance.
Van
Wert – A Lima man will be arraigned today in the Paulding County Court
on a felony drug charge after Ohio State Highway Patrol troopers seized $100,000
worth of cocaine this morning on U. S. Highway 30 in Paulding County. Jerome N.
Jackson, 33, was charged with first-degree felony possession of cocaine.
Troopers stopped a 1998 Chevrolet Malibu, driven by Jackson, on westbound U. S. Highway 30, near milepost 1, in Paulding County at 3:26 a.m. for a marked lanes violation. During a consent search of the vehicle, troopers discovered one kilogram of cocaine under the back seat cushions. The street value of the cocaine is estimated at $100,000.
If convicted, Jackson could face up to 10 years in prison, and up to a $20,000 fine. He will be incarcerated in the Paulding County Jail following his court appearance.
COLUMBUS -- Colonel Kenneth L. Morckel, superintendent of the Ohio State Highway Patrol, announced today that troopers will operate a checkpoint to deter and intercept drinking drivers this weekend. Currently, the location of the upcoming checkpoint is undisclosed. The county in which the checkpoint will be held will be announced the day prior to the checkpoint, and the exact location will be announced the morning of the checkpoint.
"It is our intent to inform people that troopers will be vigilant in detecting and apprehending impaired drivers. As part of our heightened enforcement efforts, this year the Patrol plans to more than double the 19 sobriety checkpoints we coordinated in 2001. We want to impress upon those who will be consuming alcohol to plan for a designated driver or to make other arrangements," 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 checkpoint will be provided by local law enforcement agencies.
Canton – The Ohio State Highway Patrol filed five charges today against a Ukrainian man who presented false identification at a driver’s examination station and maced a trooper. Troopers charged Eduard Ryumshin, 34, of Kiev, Ukraine, with felonious assault, a fourth-degree felony; tampering with government documents, a third-degree felony; forgery, a fifth-degree felony; possession of criminal tools, a fifth-degree felony; and resisting arrest, a second-degree misdemeanor.
Ryumshin entered the Driver Examination Station in Canton and presented a fraudulent social security card and resident alien card in an attempt to receive a state of Ohio Identification Card. The employee notified the Ohio State Highway Patrol and BMV investigators.
Tpr. Rayeta Calhoun arrived at the Drivers Examination Station as Ryumshin was exiting. Tpr. Calhoun asked the suspect to stop and Ryumshin quickly turned around and sprayed mace in Tpr. Calhoun’s face. Ryumshin then fled the scene.
A short time a later, a trooper spotted the vehicle on Interstate 77 at milepost 48, in Guernsey County. After back up had arrived, the vehicle was pulled over. The driver matched the description of Ryumshin and was taken into investigative custody.
The vehicle was towed and a bottle of mace was found inside the vehicle.
Ryumshin will appear in the Canton Municipal Court on Monday. If convicted, he could face up to eight years and nine months in jail and a $20,750 fine.
WALBRIDGE - The Ohio State Highway Patrol’s Walbridge Post, in conjunction with the Fremont Patrol Post, and the Wood County Sheriff’s Office, announced today that a sobriety checkpoint will be held tonight on U.S. Route 6, at milepost 18, between Chamberlain Road and Silverwood Road, from 9:30 p.m. to 3:30 a.m.
Lt. Gregory Greggila, commander of the Walbridge 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.
"We want to discourage potential drinking drivers. That is our ultimate goal. However, the checkpoint is designed to remove impaired drivers from the road and that is what we intend to do," Lt. Greggila said.
Support in operating the upcoming checkpoint will be supplied by the Ohio Department of Transportation.
WALBRIDGE - The Ohio State Highway Patrol’s Walbridge Post, in conjunction with the Fremont Patrol Post, and Wood County Sheriff’s Office, announced today that a sobriety checkpoint will be held in Wood County on Friday, May 10, to deter and intercept impaired drivers. Lt. Gregory Greggila, commander of the Walbridge 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. Greggila said.
The exact location of the checkpoint will be announced Friday morning. Support in operating the upcoming checkpoint will be supplied by the Ohio Department of Transportation.
Walbridge
– A Minnesota man and Arizona woman will be arraigned today in the Perrysburg
Municipal Court on felony drug charges after Ohio State Highway Patrol troopers
seized more than $800,000 worth of marijuana yesterday morning on the Ohio
Turnpike in Wood County. Gary L. Peterson, 53, of St. Paul, Minn. and Pamela K.
Powers, 48, of Tucson, Ariz. were both charged with second-degree felony
possession of marijuana and second-degree felony trafficking in marijuana.
Troopers stopped a 1992 Mercury Grand Marquis, driven by Peterson, on eastbound Interstate 80, near milepost 72, in Wood County at 11:48 a.m. for a marked lanes violation. A canine alerted to the vehicle, and during a probable cause search troopers discovered 364 pounds of marijuana in 14 individual packages, located in seven duffel bags in the vehicle’s trunk.
The street value of the 364 pounds of marijuana is estimated at $825,522.
If convicted, Peterson and Powers could face up to 16 years in prison, and up to a $30,000 fine. They are incarcerated in the Wood County Jail.
COLUMBUS -- Colonel Kenneth L. Morckel, superintendent of the Ohio State Highway Patrol, announced today that troopers will operate a checkpoint to deter and intercept drinking drivers this weekend. Currently, the location of the upcoming checkpoint is undisclosed. The county in which the checkpoint will be held will be announced the day prior to the checkpoint, and the exact location will be announced the morning of the checkpoint.
"It is our intent to inform people that troopers will be vigilant in detecting and apprehending impaired drivers. As part of our heightened enforcement efforts, this year the Patrol plans to more than double the 19 sobriety checkpoints we coordinated in 2001. We want to impress upon those who will be consuming alcohol to plan for a designated driver or to make other arrangements," 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 checkpoint will be provided by local law enforcement agencies.
| What: | Dedication of the Trooper James R. Gross Memorial Highway |
| When: | Tuesday, May 7, 2002, 1:30 p.m. |
| Where: | Ashland County Weigh Station Southbound Interstate 71, near milepost 190 |
| Who: | Col. Kenneth L. Morckel, Superintendent, Ohio State Highway
Patrol |
The Ohio State Highway Patrol is inviting the media to attend the dedication ceremony for the Trooper James R. Gross Memorial Highway. Tpr. James R. Gross was shot and killed during a traffic stop on Interstate 71 at milepost 190 in Ashland County on January 19, 1996.
In August 2001, Sen. Armbruster introduced Senate Bill 153 designating a portion of Interstate 71 in Ashland County as the, "Trooper James R. Gross Memorial Highway." The bill was signed into law on Feb. 12, and will go into effect on May 14.
The length of the memorial highway is two miles, stretching from milepost 189 to 191, with a sign at each end. This is National Police Memorial Week, thus a fitting time to memorialize this portion of highway in honor of a trooper who lost his life protecting the safety of those in Ashland County.
LEBANON - The Ohio State Highway Patrol’s Lebanon Post, in conjunction with the Warren County Sheriff’s Office, announced today that a sobriety checkpoint will be held tonight on U.S. Route 22/3, west of Columbia Avenue, and east of Fields-Ertel Road, from 9:00 p.m. to 3:00 a.m.
Lt. Michael Sanders, commander of the Lebanon 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.
"We want to discourage potential drinking drivers. That is our ultimate goal. However, the checkpoint is designed to remove impaired drivers from the road and that is what we intend to do," Lt. Sanders said.
Support in operating the upcoming checkpoint will be supplied by the Ohio Department of Transportation.
MEDINA - The Ohio State Highway Patrol’s Medina Post, in conjunction with the Brunswick Police Department, Brunswick Township Police Department, and Medina County Safe Communities, announced today that a sobriety checkpoint will be held tonight on U.S. Route 42, at milepost 23, from 10:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m.
Lt. Cory Davies, commander of the Medina 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.
"We want to discourage potential drinking drivers. That is our ultimate goal. However, the checkpoint is designed to remove impaired drivers from the road and that is what we intend to do," Lt. Davies said.
Support in operating the upcoming checkpoint will be supplied by the Ohio Department of Transportation.
WALBRIDGE – A resident alien from Albania will be arraigned today in the Perrysburg Municipal Court on felony drug charges after Ohio State Highway Patrol troopers seized approximately $300,000 worth of marijuana from his rented vehicle this morning on Interstate 280 in Wood County. Fatjon Kazazi, 22, was charged with second-degree felony possession of marijuana.
Troopers stopped a rented Dodge Intrepid, driven by Kazazi, on southbound Interstate 280, near milepost 2, in Wood County at 9:14 a.m. for a marked lanes violation. A canine alerted to the vehicle, and during a probable cause search troopers discovered 60 pounds of "B. C. Bud" marijuana, in 104 Ziploc freezer bags, located in two duffel bags in the vehicle’s trunk.
The street value of the marijuana is approximately $300,000. "B. C. Bud" marijuana is grown in British Columbia. It has a much higher THC level, and is sold on the street for the same price as cocaine.
If convicted, Kazazi could face up to eight years in prison, and up to a $15,000 fine. He will be incarcerated in the Wood County Jail following his arraignment.
LEBANON - The Ohio State Highway Patrol’s Lebanon Post, in conjunction with the Warren County Sheriff’s Office, announced today that a sobriety checkpoint will be held in Warren County on Friday, May 3, to deter and intercept impaired drivers. Lt. Michael Sanders, commander of the Lebanon 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. Sanders said.
The exact location of the checkpoint will be announced Friday morning. Support in operating the upcoming checkpoint will be supplied by the Ohio Department of Transportation.
MEDINA - The Ohio State Highway Patrol’s Medina Post, in conjunction with the Brunswick Police Department, Brunswick Township Police Department, and Medina County Safe Communities, announced today that a sobriety checkpoint will be held in Medina County on Friday, May 3, to deter and intercept impaired drivers. Lt. Cory Davies, commander of the Medina 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. Davies said.
The exact location of the checkpoint will be announced Friday morning. Support in operating the upcoming checkpoint will be supplied by the Ohio Department of Transportation.
| What: | Open enrollment for acceptance of applications for the position of Ohio State Highway Patrol Trooper. |
| When: | Until July 31, 2002 |
| Where: | Any State Highway Patrol Post |
Applications are being accepted from individuals interested in becoming an Ohio State Highway Patrol Trooper. Applicants must be U. S. citizens between the ages of 18 and 34, have a high school diploma or GED, a valid driver’s license, and be in excellent physical condition.
Applicants should contact their local Patrol Post by phone to schedule an appointment for orientation. Questions should be directed to the Patrol’s Recruitment Office at 1-866-876-6737.