MOUNT VERNON — The Knox County Common Pleas Court indicted 13 people for the charge of Failure to Appear on Jan. 28, a felony of the fourth degree. The charge is becoming more prevalent because of the frequency of people not being present for their court dates, Knox County Prosecuting Attorney Chip McConville said. It needs three elements in order to be applied: If the original charge is a felony, if the defendant was originally released on his or her own recognizance, and when they fail to appear before the judge on their court date.
The fourth-degree felony charge is not applicable in cases that had a cash bond, McConville said.
Charged by the Jan. 28 grand jury were:
Charles L. Edmister, 60, Mount Vernon, improperly handling of firearms in a motor vehicle, a fifth-degree felony; operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol (OVI), a first-degree misdemeanor; and minor misdemeanors of driving outside marked lanes and driving without required stop lights.
Michael R. Springston, 31, Marengo, passing bad checks between $5,500 and $7,500, a felony of the fifth degree.
Shaina L. Weekley, 31, Zanesville, trespass in a habitation when a person is present or likely to be present, a felony of the fourth degree.
David A. Ballard, 52, Mount Vernon, aggravated possession of drugs, a fifth-degree felony.
William T. Reed Jr., 38, Centerburg, aggravated possession of drugs, trafficking in marijuana and improperly handling of firearms in a motor vehicle, all felonies of the fifth degree; illegal use or possession of drug paraphernalia, a misdemeanor of the fourth degree; and a minor misdemeanor of possession of marijuana.
William D. Turbeville, 50, Mount Vernon, aggravating menacing of an officer or employee of a public children’s agency, a felony of the fifth degree.
Nikola J. Kukich, 19, Danville, assault on a peace officer, a fourth-degree felony; and resisting arrest, a misdemeanor of the second degree.
Matthew L. Ruggles, 28, Mount Vernon, aggravated possession of drugs, a fifth-degree felony.
William C. Smith, 58, Mount Vernon, possession of cocaine, a felony of the fifth degree; and possession of marijuana, a minor misdemeanor.
Chad E. Creech, 46, Mount Vernon, receiving stolen property, fifth-degree felony.
Adam M. Saunders, 32, Centerburg, failure to appear, a felony of the fourth degree, after failing to appear for trial on a charge of aggravated possession of drugs and being released on a recognizance bond (OR) Nov. 28, 2018.
Karlie N. Miller, 23, Mount Vernon, failure to appear, a fourth-degree felony, after being indicted on one count of aggravated possession of drugs and being released on an OR bond Feb. 15, 2018.
Diane L. Bevington, 48, Danville, failure to appear, a fourth-degree felony, after failing to appear for sentencing after being initially charged on counts of aggravated possession of drugs and possession of drug abuse instruments and released on an OR bond May 4, 2018.
Shannon T. Nicoaou, 32, Mount Vernon, failure to appear, a fourth-degree felony, after failing to appear for trial after being charged with aggravated possession of drugs and released on an OR bond Sept. 22, 2017.
Robert E. Smith, 32, Fredericktown, failure to appear, a fourth-degree felony, after not appearing for a change of plea on a charge of burglary and released on an OR bond Feb. 22, 2017.
Jason K. Hutton, 38, Mount Vernon, failure to appear, a fourth-degree felony, after failing to appear for a jury trial on two counts on aggravated trafficking in drugs and being released on an OR bond May 1, 2018.
Brian K. Grow, 37, Fredericktown, failure to appear, a fourth-degree felony, after not appearing for trial after being charged with tampering with evidence and released on an OR bond May 18, 2018.
Randy E. Cook Jr., 24, Bremen, failure to appear, a fourth-degree felony, for not appearing for trial after being charged with counts of aggravated possession of drugs, illegal use or possession of drug paraphernalia, and driving under a 12-point suspension and being released on an OR bond Oct. 18, 2018.
Kristi J. Frabott, 36, Centerburg, failure to appear, a fourth-degree felony, for failing to appear for sentencing after being charged with theft and forgery and being released on an OR bond Oct. 21, 2016.
Wesley A. Young, 25, Columbus, failure to appear, a fourth-degree felony, after not appearing for sentencing after being charged with aggravated possession of drugs and being released on an OR bond Nov. 17, 2017.
Brandy Jo Butcher, 41, Mount Vernon, failure to appear, a fourth-degree felony, after failing to appear for a scheduled status conference on charges of aggravated possession of drugs and possessing drug abuse instruments and being released on an OR bond Aug. 4, 2017.
Christopher A. Huffman, 31, Mount Vernon, failure to appear, a fourth-degree felony, after not appearing for a change of plea hearing stemming from disseminating matter harmful to minors and attempted unlawful sexual conduct with a minor charges and his release on an OR bond May 15, 2018.
Emily A. Peck, 64, Mount Vernon, failure to appear, a fourth-degree felony, after not appearing for trial on a complicity in the commission of a theft charge and release on an OR bond Sept. 6, 2018.
Shaun J. Ward, 33, Fredericktown, aggravated possession of drugs, a fifth-degree felony; and obstructing official business, a second-degree misdemeanor.
Jason B. Crook, 24, homeless, aggravated possession of meth, a fifth-degree felony; and possessing drug abuse instruments, a second-degree misdemeanor.
Christi D. Durfee, 32, Fredericktown, tampering with evidence, a third-degree felony.
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