MOUNT VERNON – The Knox County Grand Jury indicted 11 people in its regular session on Monday, according to Knox County prosecutor Chip McConville.
Michael L. Johnson, 21, of Centerburg was indicted on a charge of unlawful sexual conduct with a minor, a felony of the fourth degree. The offense allegedly occurred in March in Mounty Vernon. The case was investigated by MVPD Det. Timothy Arnold.
Darren L. Price, 38, of Howard was indicted on a charge of aggravated possession of drugs, a felony of the third degree. During a traffic stop at the end of March, it is alleged that an MVPD K9 alerted to Price’s vehicle and Price was in possession of methamphetamine and other contraband at the time of the search.
Thomas W. Higgins, Jr., 43, of Mount Vernon and co-defendant, Jeffrey A. Petrey, 47, of Newark were indicted on charges of aggravated possession of drugs, felonies of the fifth degree. MVPD Ptl. Matthew McDonald initiated a traffic stop due to a traffic violation and allegedly found Higgins and Petrey in possession of methamphetamine.
Reese D. Patrick, 21, of Centerburg was indicted on charges of felonious assault, a felony of the first degree, and assault of a peace officer, a felony of the fourth degree. It is alleged that Patrick struck and bit a KCSO Deputy, causing him to have to take time off work.
Lexus A. Robinson, 27, of Columbus was indicted on a charge of aggravated possession of drugs, a felony of the fifth degree. During an MVPD traffic stop with a K9 search, Robinson was allegedly in possession of methamphetamine. This case was investigated by Sgt. Jessica Butler.
Roger A. Christine, III, 39, of Loudonville was indicted on a charge of aggravated possession of drugs, a felony of the fifth degree. After having probable cause to search Christine’s vehicle, it was discovered Christine was allegedly in possession of methamphetamine.
Heather A. Abrams, 42, of Loudonville was indicted on a charge of aggravated possession of drugs, a felony of the fifth degree. Abrams was stopped due to an equipment violation; during the traffic stop, Abrams was allegedly found to be in possession of Psilocin.
Mark C. Crawford, 51, of Howard was indicted on a charge of tampering with evidence, a felony of the third degree. It is alleged Crawford tampered with his Secure Continuous Alcohol Monitor while being on probation for felony OMVI with Knox County Adult Probation.
Frederick M. Murphy, Sr., 52, of Mount Vernon was indicted on charges of aggravated possession of drugs, a felony of the third degree, and possessing drug abuse instruments, a second-degree misdemeanor. Co-defendant Miranda L. Wintz, 39, of Mount Vernon was indicted on a charge of aggravated possession of drugs, a felony of the fifth degree. MVPD Ptl. Aaron Collins initiated a traffic stop with Murphy due to an exhaust violation and the K9 conducted a free air sniff around the vehicle. Wintz and Murphy were allegedly found to be in possession of methamphetamine, and other drug abuse instruments allegedly were found in Murphy’s possession.
The grand jury has now issued 139 indictments to date in 2021, well below its pre-pandemic pace. McConville noted that case numbers are experiencing an uptick as summer progresses.
