Common Pleas

New Cases

Wells Fargo Bank vs. Michael E. Lawson, et al., foreclosure sought for property on

Docket Entries

Gary D. Bonnell, East Liverpool, vs. Karyl Q. Bonnell, Westlake, divorce granted.

County Treasurer vs. AS Promised Assisted Living, LLC, foreclosure on hold, payment plan entered.

County Treasurer vs. Trustee of Gibson Irrevocable Trust, et al., defendant filed bankruptcy, case on hold.

Court News

Thomas M. Barrett, 66, Tanglewood Drive, Salem, was sentenced to three years community control for three counts of violating a protection order, each a fifth-degree felony for his actions on Dec. 10, 2020, Jan. 4, 2021, and Jan. 20, 2021.

Andrew J. Wright, 35, Riffle Road, Rogers, was placed on three years community control for an aggravated possession of drugs charge, a fifth-degree felony, for methamphetamines in his possession on July 22, 2020.

Levi A. Shields, 25, was found eligible for intervention in lieu of conviction and pleaded guilty to aggravated possession of drugs and possession of a fentanyl-related compound, each a fifth-degree felony. He was placed on a three-year intervention treatment plan. One charge was for having methamphetamines on Jan. 31, 2020.

Marvin W. Harsch, 33, Warren, pleaded guilty to tampering with evidence and possession of drug paraphernalia and was placed on three years community control. The charges were for Harsch’s actions on April 2, 2021.

John E. LaFleme, 26, Maple Street, Lisbon, pleaded guilty to theft, a fifth-degree felony, for stealing a iPhone 12 Pro Max from Johnathan Shaffer on June 18, 2021. Sentencing is set for May 6, when he faces up to a $2,500 fine and a year in prison.

Eric Joplin, 30, Bridgeport, pleaded guilty to carrying a concealed weapon, a fourth-degree felony, for having a handgun concealed on Mary 29, 2021. He faces up to 18 months in prison and a $10,000 fine. Sentencing is set for April 22.

Grand Jury

LISBON — The Common Pleas Court grand jury issued 43 indictments after meeting this week, including the following 15 open indictments. The remaining 28 secret indictments will be released as they are served.

James A. Tinsley, 41, Youngstown, is charged with failure to comply with an order or signal of a police officer, a third-degree felony; tampering with evidence, a third-degree felony; obstructing official business, a fifth-degree felony; a misdemeanor charge of failure to disclose personal information; and two felonious assault charges, both first-degree felonies for allegedly attempting to harm Patrolmen Colin Trayes and Brian Granche of Columbiana with a vehicle on Dec. 9.

Michael P. Gandy Jr., 28, Rochester, Pa., is charged with intimidation, a third-degree felony; and misdemeanor charges of resisting arrest, obstructing official business, disorderly conduct and making false alarms. On Dec. 30, Gandy allegedly threatened or made false statements in an attempt to hinder a public servant or witness, used unwarranted language, hampered the arrest of himself and others and falsely warned of an impending crime, fire or explosion.

Justin M. Givens, 27, and Alyssa M. McGuire, 28, both of U.S. Route 30, Kensington, are charged with improperly handling firearms in a motor vehicle, a fourth-degree felony; and obstructing official business and endangering children, both misdemeanor charges. They allegedly had a loaded firearm in the vehicle on Dec. 26, placing at least one child in their care in jeopardy.

Richard Allen Paul Braham, 23, West Park Avenue, Columbiana, is charged with domestic violence, a fourth-degree felony; obstructing official business, a fifth-degree felony; and resisting arrest, a fourth-degree felony. Braham allegedly harmed Casey Alexus Mathes, on Jan. 14 and then interfered with the investigation and his subsequent arrest in regards to the case.

Timothy Boggs, 29, North Pleasant Drive, East Palestine, is charged with a fifth-degree felony assault charge for allegedly harming Gage Travis on Jan. 18 at a corrections facility.

Cody Ryan Payne, 29, St. Clair Avenue, East Liverpool, is charged with domestic violence a fourth-degree felony, and criminal damaging, a misdemeanor. Payne allegedly harmed Tera Christine Bradley, on Jan. 1, and damaged a fingerprint stand at the East Liverpool police department during his arrest.

David Glenn Muntean, 41, Raley Road, New Waterford, is charged with violating a protection order, a fifth-degree felony, for his alleged actions on Jan. 11.

Matthew James McFarland, 37, Warren, is charged with possessing criminal tools, a fifth-degree felony, and two counts of promoting prostitution, each a fourth-degree felony. Between Dec. 14 and Dec. 15, McFarland allegedly transported a woman for a sex for hire opportunity and utilized a phone to set up to criminal acts.

Jeramiah Eugene Burnette, 34, Southeast Boulevard, Salem, is charged with promoting prostitution, a fourth-degree felony, for allegedly transporting a woman on Nov. 6 so that she could engage in sex for hire activities.

Henry J. Mills, 52, Grant Street, Salem, is charged with tampering with evidence, a third-degree felony; and illegal use or possession of drug paraphernalia, a misdemeanor charge, for Mills’ alleged actions on Jan. 2.

Jeffrey A. Falk, 46, Alice Street, East Palestine, is charged with possession of cocaine, a fifth-degree felony, for allegedly having the substance on Jan. 29, 2021.

Frank Roger Marra III, 37, Warren, is charged with engaging in prostitution, a misdemeanor charge, for allegedly attempting to hire someone to engage in sexual activity between Nov. 26 and Nov. 27.

Erica P. Skica, 31, Youngstown, and Anthony D. Dobozy, 25, Leake Street, East Palestine, were both charged with theft from a person in a protected class, a fourth-degree felony. Skica is charged with two counts of forgery, while Dobozy is charged with one count of forgery, each a fourth-degree felony. They are accused of fraudulently depriving Paul H. Hartman, by fraudulently taking and writing checks from his accounts. Skica is accused of stealing $4,228, including writing checks payable to herself totaling $1,431 between Oct. 19 and Dec. 14. Dobozy and Skica allegedly stole $2,797, money taken by writing 18 additional checks between Nov. 19 and Dec. 15.

EL Municipal

EAST LIVERPOOL — In East Liverpool Municipal Court, a Feb. 17 preliminary hearing and pretrial was set for David J. Haught, Florence Street, charged with criminal trespassing and possession of criminal tools for allegedly having a car jack handle, a Sawzall with replacement batteries and blades when he was reportedly found in the woods in the area of Oakgrove and McClain Roads on Thursday. His bond was set at $10,000 cash or surety.

Harry A. Baum, 35, St. George St., East Liverpool, waived his right to a preliminary hearing on a felony level domestic violence charge for allegedly throwing a phone at Courtney Baum’s head and trying to hit her in the face on Feb. 3, when he also reportedly threw a clothes basket at a small child.

Nichole K. Morrison, 45, East Third Street, was fined $1,500 with $1,400 suspended on the condition that the problems are resolved within 90 days on charges of notice of dangerous dwelling and building and structure violations for housing violations cited by the city in March of 2021.

Ronald W. Branaman, 58, Campground Road, Wellsville, was fined $975, ordered to attend a three-day counseling program, required 20 hours community service and had his license suspended for a year for OVI above .08 and no license.

Jordan M. Foster, 28, Anderson Boulevard, was fined $725, had his license suspended for a year, required to attend a three-day counseling program and ordered 40 hours community service for OVI, failure to control and hit skip.

Shawn J. Adams, 51, John Avenue, was fined $650, required 20 hours community service and sentenced to 10 days in jail for no license, display of plates, failure to comply and theft for shoplifting from the Calcutta Walmart in February 2020. Adams fled from Liverpool Township police on Nov. 25, 2020 in the area of Lisbon Street, Y and O Road and Cannons Mill Road.

Nicholas S. Addy, 25, Dyke Road, Rogers, was fined $1,200, had his license suspended for two years, required 40 hours community service and sentenced to 10 days in jail for drug paraphernalia, OVI, driving under a 12-point suspension, failure to control and fictitious plates.

Donna J. Potts, 32, Avondale Street, was fined $850 and 60 days in jail for violating probation from convictions of criminal trespassing and two counts of theft for shoplifting from Walmart in Calcutta on Jan. 21, 2021, and a glass pipe found in her possession on Aug. 3, 2020.

Levi A. Shields, 25, Midland, Pa., was sentenced to 9 days in jail and fined $300 for driving under suspension, no license, display plate, furnishing false information and drug paraphernalia for allegedly giving St. Clair Township police the name Harley Shields when he was pulled over and having a digital scale and rubber pill container on Feb. 28, 2021.

Nicole M. Reed, 41, Wilbert Avenue, was fined $300 and credited with 21 days served in jail for three counts of making false alarms. On Dec. 10 and again on Dec. 19 she alleged she heard shots fired, when the complaints were unfounded and on Dec. 14, she called 911 about people being held against their will and smoke that turned out to be from her own cigarette.

Mariah P. McClellan, 30, Chester Avenue, was fined $250 and required 20 hours community service for no license.

Ashley J. Ross, 34, West Clark Street, East Palestine, was fined $250 and required 20 hours community service for no license.

Mary JoLynn West, 36, Georgetown, Pa., was fined $200 and sentenced to four days in jail for two counts of theft for shoplifting from Walmart by failing to pay for 62 items totaling $219 and Giant Eagle in 2017.

A March 8 pretrial was set for Robert J. McCrystal, 36, Florence Street, cited with failure to obey a traffic control device.

A charge of criminal trespassing was dismissed against Christopher T. Williams, 38, Industry, Pa., who had been accused of being in the home of Tiffany Sprouse on Oct. 31, when she had a no contact order against him. Williams was fined $50 for disorderly conduct amended from domestic violence for yelling and threatening to kill Sprouse on Oct. 21.

Chris L. Herron, 30, Ross Street, East Liverpool, was sentenced to 10 days in jail for a probation violation from a criminal damaging conviction.

Justin Cornell, 24, Columbia Avenue, failed to appear for a pretrial on a domestic violence charge.

Municipal

LISBON — In Columbiana County Municipal Court Thursday, Ray P. Collins, 47, Salem, was bound over to the grand jury on a charge of receiving stolen property, a fourth-degree felony, for allegedly stealing a vehicle in Apache Junction, Arizona. The vehicle was reported stolen Dec. 28. Collins claimed he had the vehicle for over a year.

A preliminary hearing was scheduled for Feb. 17 for Corey L. Jones, 31, Shaker Heights, charged with improper handling of firearms in a motor vehicle, a fourth-degree felony, for allegedly having marijuana and a loaded firearm in the vehicle during a traffic stop in Columbiana Feb. 9. A pretrial was scheduled for Feb. 17 for charges of drug abuse and failure to display valid stickers.

A pretrial was scheduled for Feb. 24 for Richard R. Vecchio, 59, Girard, charged with criminal trespassing after allegedly returning to a North Park Avenue home Feb. 2 despite being told not to return and being found intoxicated sleeping in the resident’s bed.

A pretrial was scheduled for Feb. 24 for Elizabeth A. Taylor, 25, Salem, charged with illegal use or possession of drug paraphernalia after allegedly being found in possession of a substance rolled in a $20 bill at a Salem restaurant Feb. 8.

A pretrial was scheduled for Feb. 24 for Craig Coffman, 39, Salem, charged with illegal use or possession of drug paraphernalia after allegedly being found with a glass pipe containing residue during a search warrant in Salem Feb. 8.

A pretrial was scheduled for Feb. 24 for Ashley L. Sekely, 38, Salem, charged with illegal use or possession of drug paraphernalia after allegedly being found with a glass pipe containing residue during a search warrant in Salem Feb. 8. She is also charged with a violation of prohibitions of filth and offensive odors.

A pretrial was scheduled for Feb. 28 for Cody A. Wilson, 31, Lisbon, charged with possession of a drug abuse instrument after allegedly being found with a hypodermic needle used for taking drugs during a search warrant in Salem Feb. 8.

A pretrial was scheduled for April 5 for Marcus Zane Reed, 19, Summitville, charged with possession of marijuana. He was also sentenced to 10 days in jail, fined $1,225 and had his license suspended for one year for charges of OVI and driving under suspension.

A pretrial was scheduled for April 11 for Emily M. Sacco, 38, Salem, charged with interference with a wildlife officer and two miscellaneous wildlife violations after she was found in possession of a Canada goose in July 2020 after having her wildlife rehabilitation permit suspended as part of charges against Alchemy Acres in 2019.

A pretrial was scheduled for April 11 for Katherine M. Sacco, 31, Salem, charged with interference with a wildlife officer and two miscellaneous wildlife violations after she was found in possession of wildlife animals in July 2020 after having her wildlife rehabilitation permit suspended as part of charges against Alchemy Acres in 2019.

A pretrial was scheduled for April 12 for Sean A. Dailey, 41, Donora, Pa., charged with OVI-first offense, reasonable control and carrying a concealed weapon.

A pretrial was scheduled for April 14 for Landon T. Bailey, 18, East Liverpool, charged with telecommunications harassment for allegedly contacting an East Palestine resident Jan. 16 after being told by officers to cease contact.

A pretrial was scheduled for April 14 for Thomas D. Maker, 50, Poland, charged with engaging in prostitution and possession of criminal tools after allegedly responded to East Palestine after arranging with an undercover officer on a website to meet a woman for sex for $100.

Michael A. Westover, 34, Rogers, was sentenced to 180 days in jail (credited for five), fined $575 and had his license suspended for one year for unauthorized use of a vehicle, possession of a drug abuse instrument and OVI. Charges of driving under suspension and a taillight violation were dismissed.

Jeffrey R. Ryan, 24, Beaver Falls, Pa., was sentenced to 180 days in jail and fined $350 for having weapons while intoxicated.

Joseph Ryan Wilson, 22, Salineville, was cited $150 for speed.

Thomas Alan Swift Jr., 40, Chardon, was fined $250 for speed and driving under suspension.

Justin L. Vasquez, 30, Lisbon, was sentenced to 10 days in jail (credited for two) and fined $250 for disorderly conduct.

Miranda Lynn Richards, 25, East Palestine, was sentenced to 46 days in jail (credited with 39), fined $825 and had her license suspended for two years for OVI-second offense, driving under suspension and improper passing.

James W. Muchiri, 31, Kent, Washington, was fined $150 for speed.

Franklin B. Price, 36, Petersburg, was fined $100 for speed.

Christian Lane Plunkett, 27, East Palestine, was sentenced to 90 days in jail (credited for seven), fined $500 and ordered to complete 30 hours of community service for cruelty to animals and aggravated menacing. He was also fined $200 for driving under suspension and speed for a separate incident.

Ronald A. Eneix, 31, Barberton, was sentenced to 180 days in jail (18 days credited), fined $200 and ordered to complete 40 hours of community service for assault.

Anne M. Sedjo, 51, Salem, was sentenced to 30 days in jail, fined $875, had her license suspended for one year and ordered to complete 20 hours community service for OVI-first offense and OVI-breath .08 grams.

Timothy Boggs, 29, East Palestine, was sentenced to 30 days in jail (credited for 30), and fined $500 for assault.

Ronald Gene Kaiser, 53, Warren, was sentenced to 30 days in jail, fined $750 and ordered to complete 20 hours of community service for engaging in prostitution and possession criminal tools.

Zane David Campbell, 53, Mingo Junction, was fined $250 for driving under suspension and invalid sticker.

Costs were waived for a driving under suspension charge against Terry Lee Mullins, 50, Lisbon.