The Knox County Grand Jury engaged in a long session on July 26, issuing 23 indictments in a return to its pre-pandemic pace. Knox County now has 162 felony cases to date. 

Darren L. Price, 38, of Howard was indicted on a charge of felonious assault, a felony of the first degree, with a firearm specification. Price allegedly attempted to cause physical harm to Officer Joshua Jones by means of a firearm. This case was brought back before the grand jury for additional charges based upon interviews conducted after Price’s arrest. The charge carries a possible prison term of 3-11 years with three additional years for the gun specification. The case was investigated by Knox County Sheriff's Office (KCSO) Det. Lt. Craig Feeney. 

Ryan T. Kelly, 19, of Utica was indicted on charges of aggravated robbery, a felony of the first degree, with a firearm specification; two counts of aggravated burglary, both felonies of the first degree, with a firearm specification; felonious assault, a felony of the second degree, with a firearm specification; theft, a felony of the fifth degree; and having weapons under disability, a felony of the third degree. Co-defendant Preston A. Pruitt, 19, of Fredericktown was indicted on charges of aggravated robbery and two counts of aggravated burglary, all felonies of the first degree; felonious assault, a felony of the second degree; and theft, a felony of the fifth degree. It is alleged that Kelly and Pruitt entered a Mount Vernon residence, threatened the residents, beat one of them and stole between $1,000 and $1,500 in cash. Kelly allegedly had a firearm during the incident that he is legally prevented from possessing because of a juvenile court adjudication for felonious assault. Both defendants are at large, and nationwide warrants have been issued for their arrest. The case was investigated by Mount Vernon Police Department (MVPD) Det. Tim Arnold.

Nicholas M. Hamilton, 23, of Mount Vernon was indicted on charges of failure to comply with an order or signal of a police officer, a felony of the third degree; aggravated vehicular assault, a felony of the third degree; vandalism, a felony of the fifth degree; and receiving stolen property, a felony of the fourth degree. MVPD Ptl. James Coffey allegedly attempted to stop Hamilton due to a warrant when Hamilton failed to stop, fleeing the area at a high rate of speed. Hamilton allegedly caused damage to a KCSO vehicle during the pursuit. The pursuit ended when Hamilton wrecked the vehicle, allegedly causing serious physical harm to the passenger. The vehicle Hamilton was driving was allegedly stolen out of Columbus. 

Jade N. Eberhardt, 29, of Centerburg was indicted on a charge of aggravated possession of drugs and aggravated trafficking in drugs, both felonies of the second degree, with a forfeiture specification as to both counts. During a traffic stop in May, KCSO deputies discovered Eberhardt allegedly in possession of approximately one ounce of methamphetamine, in addition to scales, baggies and other drug paraphernalia. This case was investigated by Det. Aaron Phillips. 

Michael A. Daley, Jr., 26, of Danville was indicted on two charges of assault, both first-degree misdemeanors; two counts of attempted aggravated vehicular assault, both felonies of the fifth degree; and failure to comply with order or signal of a police officer, a felony of the third degree. Daley allegedly assaulted his cousins and then attempted to run them down with his vehicle. Daley also allegedly failed to stop when Danville Sgt. John Cox activated emergency lights. Daley allegedly ran several stop signs and crashed into a wall near St. Luke’s Church in Danville.

Mark C. Crawford, 51, of Howard was indicted on a charge of tampering with evidence, a felony of the third degree. Crawford allegedly cut off the SCRAM bracelet while being on probation with Knox County Adult Probation. The SCRAM monitor is an alcohol detecting device that was ordered as part of Crawford’s sentence for felony OMVI. Crawford allegedly fled the state after removing the device.

James A. Meola, 61, of Mount Vernon was indicted on a charge of aggravated possession of drugs, a felony of the fifth degree. During a traffic stop, it was discovered that Meola was allegedly in possession of methamphetamine. 

Angela M. Detrow, 44, of Columbus was indicted on a charge of passing bad checks, a felony of the fifth degree. Detrow allegedly wrote a check to stay at The Pines of Apple Valley, and the check was returned for insufficient funds. This case was investigated by Dep. David Nally. 

Jay M. Justus, 23, of Columbus and co-defendant, Dylon T. Ward, 28, of Columbus were indicted on charges of grand theft, felonies of the fourth degree. It is alleged that Justus and Ward rented equipment from Holmes Equipment in the beginning of May that has not been returned. 

Michael D. Hayes, 50, of Howard was indicted on charges of five counts of theft, three felonies of the fifth degree, one a felony of the fourth degree and one a first-degree misdemeanor. Hayes allegedly stole a customer’s wallet off the counter at a local gas station, which contained multiple credit cards, ID/Social Security cards and medication. This case was investigated by Ptl. Aaron Collins. 

Lucas M. Cline, 31, of Fredericktown was indicted on a charge of aggravated possession of drugs, a felony of the fifth degree. Cline was allegedly in possession of psilocybin mushrooms.

Colton A. Pelton, 24, of Danville was indicted on charges of aggravated possession of drugs, a felony of the fifth degree, and improperly handling firearms in a motor vehicle, a felony of the fourth degree. During a traffic stop, a KCSO K9 alerted to Pelton’s vehicle. After the search of the vehicle, Pelton was allegedly found to be in possession of methamphetamine and a loaded firearm. This case was investigated by Dep. Luke Guthrie. 

Scotty A. Keener, 35, of Mount Vernon was indicted on two counts of aggravated possession of drugs, both felonies of the fifth degree; along with charges of aggravated possession of drugs, a felony of the third degree; aggravated trafficking in drugs, a felony of the third degree; possession of LSD, a felony of the fourth degree; and trafficking in LSD, a felony of the fourth degree. During multiple traffic stops, Keener was allegedly found to be in possession of alleged methamphetamine, LSD and psilocyn. 

Triston L. Martin, 23, of Fredericktown was indicted on a charge of grand theft of a motor vehicle, a felony of the third degree. It is alleged that Martin took a family member’s vehicle without permission and got into a crash the night of the theft. This case was investigated by Dep. Zachary Miller. 

Kyle B. Bell, 36, of Mount Vernon was indicted on a charge of aggravated possession of drugs, a felony of the fifth degree. During a traffic stop with a K9 search, Bell was allegedly in possession of methamphetamine. 

Marcus D. Tomlin, 34, of Mount Vernon was indicted on charges of unlawful sexual conduct with a minor, a felony of the third degree, and pandering sexually oriented matter involving a minor, a felony of the second degree. 

Daniel J. Huffman, 34, of Mount Vernon was indicted on charges of aggravated trafficking in drugs, a felony of the third degree; aggravated possession of drugs, a felony of the third degree; and possessing drug abuse instruments, a second-degree misdemeanor. While on a traffic stop, KCSO deputies allegedly discovered Huffman to be in possession of methamphetamine, Oxycodone pills and other contraband consistent with drug trafficking. 

Carolyn L. Davis, 29, of Bladensburg was indicted on charges of burglary, a felony of the third degree, and vandalism, a felony of the fifth degree. Davis allegedly trespassed into a Gambier residence, damaging the windows of the home and multiple items inside the residence. 

Robert A. Lennginton, 58, address unknown, was indicted on charges of aggravated possession of drugs and aggravated trafficking of drugs, both felonies of the second degree. During a traffic stop, MVPD Ptl. Joshua Neely allegedly found Lennington in possession of approximately 70 grams of methamphetamine and other evidence indicative of drug trafficking.

Shawn Davern, 33, of Mount Vernon was indicted on charges of felonious assault, a felony of the second degree, and domestic violence, a first-degree misdemeanor. It is alleged that Davern knowingly caused serious physical harm to a live-in domestic partner. 

Jamie Priest, 52, of Newark was indicted on charges of theft of drugs, a felony of the fourth degree, and aggravated possession of drugs, a felony of the fifth degree. This case was brought by investigators at the Ohio Attorney General’s Office and is being prosecuted by special prosecutors from the Attorney General’s Health Care section.