LISBON — A jury recently found a Youngstown woman guilty in a sex-for-hire case after a day-long trial in Columbiana County Common Pleas Court, taking little time in reaching a verdict.

Shanika Simmons, 40, Youngstown, will face sentencing Oct. 3 for a fourth-degree felony promoting prostitution charge based on the jury’s guilty verdict. Simmons had been accused of agreeing to provide sexual services and bring along a second female to provide sexual services in exchange for $450, arriving in East Palestine on Aug. 2, 2022 for the meeting with an undercover agent who posed as a buyer of sex online.

Also in Common Pleas Court:

— Dorian Downs, 19, Washington Street, Lisbon, pleaded guilty to theft, a fifth-degree felony, with sentencing set for Oct. 18. According to the indictment, Downs deprived Circle K of $5,229 from Nov. 23, 2023 to Dec. 9, 2023.

— James Craig, 40, Florence Street, East Liverpool, pleaded guilty to operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol, a drug of abuse or a combination of them – OVI, a third-degree felony, with sentencing set for Oct. 10. Charges of driving under suspension, a misdemeanor, and an additional count of operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol, a drug of abuse or a combination of them – OVI, a third-degree felony, were to be dismissed. The offenses stemmed from a Nov. 30 incident when Craig was allegedly driving impaired. He had a previous OVI felony conviction from Sept. 19, 2022 and at least five or more previous OVI misdemeanor convictions.

Grand Jury

LISBON — Secret indictments issued by the Columbiana County Grand Jury were served Tuesday to a handful of defendants.

Harold Crawford, 54, Canton, was charged with fifth-degree felony nonsupport of dependents for allegedly failing to pay child support for one child from June 6, 2021 to June 4, 2023.

Marcus Reed, 22, Nittany Drive, Summitville, was charged with fifth-degree felony aggravated possession of drugs for allegedly possessing methamphetamine on Feb. 5.

David Young, 47, Bloomfield Road, East Liverpool, was charged with fifth-degree felonies of aggravated possession of drugs and possession of fentanyl-related compound for allegedly possessing methamphetamine on Oct. 7, 2022 and possessing fentanyl on Jan. 25, 2023.

Shane Reed, 36, Wilbert Avenue, East Liverpool, was charged with fifth-degree felony aggravated possession of drugs for allegedly possessing methamphetamine on May 9, 2023.

Common Pleas

New Cases

Nathaniel Gordon, East Martin Street, East Palestine, and Yvonne Parsons, Academy Street, Salineville; dissolution sought.

April Fitzsimmons, Crestview Road, Columbiana, vs. John Fitzsimmons, Crestview Road, Columbiana; divorce sought.

Jay Cargnel, Bell School Road, East Liverpool, vs. Chelsea Cargnel, Bell School Road, East Liverpool; divorce sought.

Paul and Melanie Conkle, both Bye Road, East Palestine, vs. Seth Randolph, state Route 46, New Waterford, and Progressive Direct Insurance Company, Mayfield Village; damages sought for personal injury claim from 2023 traffic accident.

Crissty Hawkins, Austintown, vs. Andrew Hawkins, Howard Street, Columbiana; legal separation sought.

Tiffany Jones, Hartley Road, Salem, vs. Timothy Jones, Buck Road, Beloit; divorce sought.

Docket Entries

Amerisave Mortgage Corporation vs. Matthew Beatty, et al.; mortgage foreclosure ordered for St. Clair Township property.

Huntington National Bank vs. unknown heirs, etc. of Gail Thompson, et a.; mortgage foreclosure ordered for Haiti Road, Salineville property.

Cynthia Bullock vs. James Bullock; divorce granted.

County Treasurer vs. Kevin Wilson, et al.; delinquent property tax foreclosure ordered for East Main Street, East Palestine property.