MOUNT VERNON – The office of Knox County Prosecutor Chip McConville reported the following indictments during the first week of March:
Lisa Braniff, 60, of Mount Vernon, and codefendant Joseph Braniff, 63, of Mount Vernon, were indicted with two counts of theft from a person in a protected class; a felony of the first degree. Lisa Braniff was also indicted for forgery; a felony of the second degree. The victims in this case are Lisa’s mother and step-father. The alleged thefts, totaling approximately $750,000, occurred over a period of three years. If convicted of these charges, the prison term for the F1 is a minimum of three years and a maximum of 11 years; and the term for the F2 is a minimum of two years and a maximum of eight years. In addition, a fine of up to $50,000 each is possible. Since the theft was against a person in a protected class, restitution in this case is mandatory. The case was investigated by the Ohio Attorney General’s Office Medicaid Fraud Division. Immediately following the indictment, Judge Richard Wetzel granted a motion by the Knox County Prosecutor’s Office to preserve all of the assets that appear to be proceeds of the offense, including a house, vehicles and livestock.
Matthew A. Carpenter, 36, of Newark, was indicted for aggravated possession of drugs; a felony of the fifth degree. On Jan. 22, MVPD Ptl. Aaron Collins initiated a traffic stop where Carpenter allegedly had a small amount of methamphetamine in the vehicle.
Christopher C. Nelson, 27, address unknown, was indicted for failure to provide change in vehicle information, a felony of the third degree; theft, a first-degree misdemeanor; assault, a first-degree misdemeanor; and aggravated possession of drugs, a felony of the fifth degree. Nelson allegedly had methamphetamine in his vehicle during a traffic stop in January. On another occasion in January, Nelson allegedly shoplifted an energy drink from Grab n Dash on Harcourt Road. Another customer attempted to stop Nelson and was allegedly almost run over by Nelson’s vehicle. During this incident, it was discovered that Nelson was allegedly not in compliance with his sex offender registration requirements.
Calvin D. Bethea, 22, of Mount Vernon, was indicted for domestic violence, a felony of the fourth degree; and felonious assault, a felony of the second degree. On Feb. 13, it is alleged that Bethea caused serious physical harm to a former domestic partner. He has a prior conviction for domestic violence from 2020 in Mount Vernon Municipal Court. This case was investigated by MVPD Lt. Qade Lewis.
Vaughn R. Stoutenburgh Jr., 50, of Mount Vernon, was indicted for aggravated possession of drugs, a felony of the fifth degree. On Jan. 30, Ptl. Matthew McDonald was dispatched to a parking lot for possible drug activity. It is alleged that Stoutenburgh was in possession of methamphetamine at the time of his arrest.
Kimberly S. Carpenter, 51, of Fredericktown, was indicted for aggravated possession of drugs. On May 12, 2020, KCSO Det. Aaron Phillips initiated a traffic stop with Kimberly Carpenter, and it was discovered that she had an active warrant. After having probable cause to search, Det. Phillips discovered what appeared to be methamphetamine in Carpenter’s vehicle.
Dorothy A. Hunt, 22, of Mount Vernon, was indicted for gross sexual imposition, a felony of the fourth degree. Hunt allegedly engaged in sexual contact with H.K., a resident of a group home where Hunt was formerly employed. This case was investigated by MVPD Det. Timothy Arnold.
Johnny G. Trautman, 46, of Mansfield, was indicted for aggravated possession of drugs, a felony of the fifth degree. Trautman was allegedly found to be in possession of methamphetamine in a residential facility. This case was investigated by Dep. Masen Gilbert.
Sarah M. Robinson, 41, of Mount Vernon, was indicted for aggravated possession of drugs, a felony of the fifth degree. It is alleged that Robinson had a small amount of methamphetamine in her vehicle during a traffic stop for a license plate light violation. This case was investigated by Det. Jessica Butler.
Tyrynn M. Arrington, 24, of Mount Vernon, was indicted for aggravated possession of drugs. When officers were dispatched to the Super 8 Motel for a wellness check, Arrington was allegedly in possession of a small amount of methamphetamine at the time. This case was investigated by Det. Jessica Butler.
Jerry L. Tinsley Jr., 29, of Danville, was indicted for grand theft of a motor vehicle, a felony of the fourth degree. In December, Tinsley was allegedly advised to bring a vehicle back because he no longer had permission to use it. It is alleged that the vehicle has not been returned. This case was investigated by DPD Sgt. John Cox.
Brandon P. Wolfe, 42, of Mount Vernon, was indicted for domestic violence, a felony of the fourth degree. It is alleged that Wolfe caused physical harm to a domestic partner. Wolfe has been previously convicted of domestic violence in the Mount Vernon Municipal Court. This case was investigated by MVPD Det. Matt Haver.
Jared Farabaugh, 29, of Mount Vernon, was indicted for domestic violence, a felony of the fourth degree. It is alleged that Farabaugh caused physical harm to his live-in girlfriend. This case was investigated by MVPD Ptl. Justin Trowbridge.
Jerry L. Priest, 63, of Mount Vernon, was indicted for felonious assault, a felony of the second degree, with a firearm specification; and aggravated menacing, a first-degree misdemeanor. It is alleged that Priest threatened to cause serious physical harm to a family member with a loaded gun. Priest allegedly also threatened to burn down the home if he was arrested.
Tara M. Tomlin, 31, of Mount Vernon, was indicted for six counts of aggravated trafficking in drugs, a combination of third- and fourth-degree felonies; and nine counts of complicity to aggravated trafficking in drugs, a combination of second-, third- and fourth-degree felonies. Tomlin was in a vehicle stopped by Mount Vernon Police and was implicated by other occupants of the vehicle in allegedly selling them methamphetamine. Her telephone was seized and searched pursuant to a warrant. This search led to the discovery of multiple alleged drug transactions. This case was investigated by Det. Jessica Butler.
Travis N. Hollar, 27, of Mount Vernon, was indicted for six counts of complicity to aggravated trafficking in drugs, two felonies of the second degree, two felonies of the third degree and two felonies of the fourth degree. His charges arose from the search of Tomlin’s cell phone. This case was investigated by Det. Jessica Butler.
Anthony P. Bayog, 47, of Centerburg, was indicted for three counts of complicity to aggravated trafficking in drugs, two felonies of the second degree and a felony of the third degree. His charges arose from the search of Tomlin’s cell phone. This case was investigated by Det. Jessica Butler.
