MANSFIELD - An Akron woman is scheduled to be arraigned today in the Mansfield Municipal Court on a felony charge after she was arrested yesterday for conveying drugs onto the grounds of the Richland Correctional Institution. Troopers charged Melissa Childress, 29, with conveying drugs onto the grounds of a correctional facility, a third-degree felony.
Troopers and Department of Rehabilitation and Correction investigators obtained information that Childress planned to convey illegal drugs to an inmate at the Richland Correctional Institution. At about 2:15 p.m. yesterday, she was observed passing a package believed to contain illegal drugs to an inmate. Troopers at the scene subsequently took her into custody.
Following an alert from a Patrol drug-detecting canine, a search of her 1989 Cadillac Sedan DeVille revealed four grams of marijuana, 15 pills of an unknown substance, a marijuana pipe, and several marijuana cigarettes. Investigators said additional charges are possible.
Childress was incarcerated at the Richland County Jail. If convicted of the third-degree felony, 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.
COLUMBUS – Three troopers from the Ohio State Highway Patrol were honored with ACE Awards at ceremonies held in Columbus today. Colonel Kenneth L. Morckel, Patrol superintendent, presented awards to Tpr. Brian D. Foltz of the Granville Post, Tpr. Dana M. Hutton of the Chillicothe Post, and Tpr. James C. Oaks of the Lisbon Post.
The ACE Award is for excellence in auto larceny enforcement. In 2002, each trooper recovered at least five stolen vehicles and arrested suspects in connection with each theft. A certificate, uniform ribbon, and ACE license plates for display on his cruiser were presented to each of the troopers.
Tpr. Foltz joined the Patrol in October 1998 as a member of the 132nd Academy Class. He received his commission the following April and was assigned to Eaton. In November 2000, he transferred to Delaware before receiving his current assignment in December 2001.
A native of Westerville, he graduated from Westerville North High School in 1990. Prior to joining the Patrol, he served for the Blendon Township Police Department.
Tpr. Foltz now resides in Pataskala.
Tpr. Hutton joined the Patrol in June 1999 as a member of the 134th Academy Class. He received his commission the following December and was assigned to the Chillicothe Post. In 2001, he earned the ACE Award, and Blue Max Award, as the Patrol’s statewide leader in auto larceny enforcement for the year.
A native of Chillicothe, Tpr. Hutton graduated from Southeastern High School in 1993, and later earned an associate’s degree in police science from Hocking College. Prior to joining the Patrol, Tpr. Hutton served with the Hocking County Sheriff’s Office, Waverly Police Department, and the U.S. Army. He is still currently a reservist with the U.S. Army.
Tpr. Hutton now resides in Chillicothe with his wife Tawonna.
Tpr. Oaks joined the Patrol in May 1990 as a member of the 120th Academy Class. He earned his commission the following November and was assigned to Lisbon. He transferred to Cleveland Investigations in November 1992, then to Chardon in October 1994, before returning to Lisbon in March 2000.
A native of Mentor, Tpr. Oaks graduated from North High School in 1986. Prior to joining the Patrol, he served with the Geneva Lake Police Department.
Tpr. Oaks now resides in Negley with his wife Stacie and their two children.
COLUMBUS -- Colonel Kenneth L. Morckel, superintendent of the Ohio State Highway Patrol, announced today that troopers will operate two checkpoints to deter and intercept drinking drivers this weekend. Currently, the locations of the upcoming checkpoints are undisclosed. The county in which the checkpoints will be held will be announced the day prior to the checkpoints, and the exact locations will be announced the morning of the checkpoints.
"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 checkpoints will be provided by local law enforcement agencies.
Columbus – A former Tax Commission Agent for the Ohio Department of Taxation was indicted yesterday on several charges.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol charged Ruth Scott, 47, of Columbus, with theft in office, a fourth-degree felony; one count tampering with records, a fifth-degree felony; one count of forgery, a fourth-degree felony; two counts of forgery, fifth-degree felonies; and one count of filing a fraudulent tax return, a fifth-degree felony.
Troopers initiated an investigation early last year after a taxpayer notified the Ohio Department of Taxation that their returned check had been altered. Scott processed checks for the Ohio Department of Taxation. The Patrol investigation revealed Scott wrote her own name on several checks and deposited them into her personal checking account.
If convicted, she could face up to seven years in jail and a $10,000 fine.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol investigates criminal activity on state owned and leased property.
Ashtabula – The Ohio State Highway Patrol is requesting information from the public on a commercial truck crash which occurred Monday, July 22, 2002 at approximately 11:50 p.m. on State Route 11 north of U.S. Route 6, in New Lyme Township.
Troopers said that Gregory R. Holcomb, 48, Albion, Pa., was traveling south in a 2000 Freightliner tractor-trailer on State Route 11 in Ashtabula County. Investigators are still unclear as to the cause of the crash, which sent the vehicle off the right of the road striking several small trees and jackknifing. The commercial truck became completely engulfed in flames. Holcomb was pronounced dead at the scene.
Troopers have not ruled out speculations that debris from the roadway or overpass could have contributed to the crash. The Patrol’s Ashtabula post is asking that anyone who witnessed the crash or has any information call the post at (440) 969-1155.
Columbus – A Mediator for the Ohio Civil Rights Commission was arrested today for soliciting and accepting a cash bribe for the successful settlement of an Ohio Civil Rights Commission case. The Ohio State Highway Patrol charged Sylvia Hill, 49, of Cincinnati, with bribery, a third-degree felony.
Following the settlement negotiated on Wednesday, Hill asked the complainant for $250 for settling the case. The complainant notified the Ohio Civil Rights Commission, who immediately contacted the Ohio State Highway Patrol and requested the allegation be investigated.
Working with the Patrol, the complainant contacted Hill to meet and give her the requested money. After Hill accepted the money, Troopers arrested her at 1:20 p.m. today.
Hill is incarcerated in the Hamilton County Jail. If convicted, she could face up to five years in jail and a $10,000 fine. She is scheduled to appear in the Hamilton County Municipal Court on Monday.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol investigates criminal activity on state owned and leased property.
LIMA - The Ohio State Highway Patrol’s Lima Post, in conjunction with troopers from the Patrol’s Van Wert Post, and the Allen County Sheriff’s Office, announced today that a sobriety checkpoint will be held tonight on State Route 309, three miles east of Lima, in Allen County, from 8:00 p.m. to 4:00 a.m.
Lt. Ken Koverman, commander of the Lima 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. Koverman said.
Support in conducting tonight’s sobriety checkpoint will be provided by the Ohio Department of Transportation.
Massillon – Ohio Department of Mental Health police arrested an Orrville man this morning at Heartland Behavioral Healthcare in Massillon for carrying a concealed weapon onto state property. The Ohio State Highway Patrol charged Ernest O. Mowrer III, 53, with conveying a weapon onto property controlled by the Ohio Department of Mental Health, a third-degree felony; and carrying a concealed weapon, a fourth degree felony.
At 10:17 a.m. this morning, Mowrer arrived at Heartland Behavioral Healthcare, where a relative is a patient. Mowrer was stopped in the entrance hallway by Ohio Department of Mental Health Police Officers, who used a metal detecting wand to discover weapons on Mowrer. Mowrer had a five-shot .22 caliber derringer in his right front pocket. A knife with a three and one-half inch blade was on a visible belt clip.
Heartland Behavioral Healthcare is operated by the Ohio Department of Mental Health.
Mowrer was incarcerated in the Massillon City Jail. If convicted of all charges, he could face up to six and one half years in jail and a $15,000 fine.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol investigates criminal activity on state owned and leased property.
LIMA - The Ohio State Highway Patrol’s Lima Post, in conjunction with troopers from the Patrol’s Van Wert Post, and the Allen County Sheriff’s Office, announced today that a sobriety checkpoint will be held in Allen County on Friday, July 19, to deter and intercept impaired drivers. Lt. Ken Koverman, commander of the Lima 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. Koverman said.
The exact location of the checkpoint will be announced Friday morning. Support in conducting Friday’s sobriety checkpoint will be provided by the Ohio Department of Transportation.
COLUMBUS -- Colonel Kenneth L. Morckel, superintendent of the Ohio State Highway Patrol, announced today that troopers will operate a sobriety 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.
WOOSTER - The Ohio State Highway Patrol’s Wooster Post, in conjunction with the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office, Wooster Police Department, and the Ohio Investigative Unit, announced today that a sobriety checkpoint will be held in Wayne County on Saturday, July 13, to deter and intercept impaired drivers. Lt. Herbert Homan, commander of the Wooster 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. Homan said.
The exact location of the checkpoint will be announced Saturday morning. Support in conducting the sobriety checkpoint will be provided by the Ohio Department of Transportation.
CHILLICOTHE - The Ohio State Highway Patrol’s Chillicothe Post, in conjunction with the Ross County Sheriff’s Office and the Chillicothe Police Department, announced today that a sobriety checkpoint will be held in Ross County on Saturday, July 13, to deter and intercept impaired drivers. Lt. Jeffrey Carman, commander of the Chillicothe 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. Carman said.
The exact location of the checkpoint will be announced Saturday morning.
COLUMBUS -- Colonel Kenneth L. Morckel, superintendent of the Ohio State Highway Patrol, announced today that troopers will operate two 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 location will be announced the morning of each 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 checkpoints will be provided by local law enforcement agencies.
Columbus – The
Ohio State Highway Patrol has once again partnered with several organizations to
make free coffee available to Ohioans who choose to be a designated driver this
upcoming holiday weekend. For the third year in a row, the Ohio State Highway
Patrol, Ohioans for Responsible Drinking, Clear Channel Ohio, BP, and the Ohio
Department of Public Safety partnered in the statewide Designate a Driver. It’s
about Safety! educational effort.
The Designate a Driver, It’s about Safety! kick-off was held this morning at a WCOL live remote broadcast from BP at Grandview and State Route 33 in Columbus.
Beginning today and running through July 7, Designate a Driver. It’s about Safety! travel coffee mugs can be taken to any participating Ohio BP location to receive free coffee refills.
Troopers, who will participate in sobriety checkpoints this weekend, distributed mugs from June 28 to July 2. Additional mugs will be available at Clear Channel radio station remotes during the holiday weekend.
"As I have stated throughout the year, the Patrol is more vigilant than ever in removing impaired drivers from Ohio roads," Col. Kenneth L. Morckel, Patrol superintendent said. "Just as important are programs - like Designate a Driver. It’s about Safety! - that aim to prevent impaired individuals from getting behind the wheel."
Last year, the designated driver program significantly contributed to the safest summer holiday weekend travel period in the past decade on Ohio roadways. Memorial Day, Independence Day, and Labor Day comprise the summer holiday weekend travel periods.
The Patrol credited the motoring public with helping to create safer highways, particularly during what is traditionally a deadly holiday weekend. Last Fourth of July weekend, two of the seven fatal crashes in Ohio involved alcohol.
Maumee
– Two men will be arraigned today in the Maumee Municipal Court on felony drug
charges after Ohio State Highway Patrol troopers seized $500,000 worth of
cocaine yesterday afternoon on Interstate 80 in Lucas County. Troopers said J.
Abigail Zamora-Lopez, 37, of Los Angeles, and Adolfo Gustavo Morales-Sanchez,
44, of Metamora, Mexico, were each charged with first-degree felony possession
of cocaine, and second-degree felony trafficking in cocaine.
Troopers stopped a 1991 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme, driven by Zamora-Lopez, on eastbound Interstate 80, near milepost 55, in Lucas County at 11:57 a.m. Monday for a following too closely violation. A Patrol drug-detecting canine alerted to the vehicle, and a probable cause search revealed two electronic compartments in the rear seat armrests. The compartments contained five kilograms of cocaine, with an estimated street value of $500,000.
If convicted of both charges, each suspect could face up to 18 years in prison, and up to a $35,000 fine.
TOLEDO – Troopers arrested a former Department of Job and Family Services employee today for viewing child pornography on his work computer. Allan J. Schroeder, 54, of Rossford, was charged with Unauthorized Use of Computer, a fifth-degree felony; Pandering Obscenity Involving a Minor, a second-degree felony; and Theft in Office, a fifth-degree felony.
An Ohio State Highway Patrol investigation revealed Schroeder used a computer owned by the State of Ohio, Department of Job and Family Services to access a large amount of child pornography, during normal business hours. The investigation, which began on June 12, was a result of a routine maintenance on the computer system of the Department of Job and Family Services in Toledo.
Schroeder, a former Account Manager for the Department of Job and Family Services, resigned from his position when the investigation began.
Schroeder is incarcerated in the Lucas County Jail. If convicted of all charges, he could face up to 10 years in jail and a $20,000 fine. Schroeder was scheduled to appear today in the Lucas County Common Pleas Court.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol investigates criminal activity on state owned and leased property.