Common Pleas

New Cases

Merier Barrios Lopez, West Third Street, Salem, vs. Donavan Humberto Villanueva Diagot, Fourth Street, Salem; divorce sought.

Blair Ferry, East Chestnut Street, Lisbon, and Kyle Ferry, East Chestnut Street, Lisbon; dissolution sought.

Docket Entries

County Treasurer vs. Angela Ann Egli, et al.; payment plan completed, case dismissed.

County Treasurer vs. Robert Pitts, et al.; payment plan completed, case dismissed.

County Treasurer vs. Kathryn Brown, et al.; payment plan completed, case dismissed.

County Treasurer vs. Suzie Maalouf, et al.; payment plan completed, case dismissed.

County Treasurer vs. Dionna Meade, et al.; payment plan completed, case dismissed.

County Treasurer vs. Carol Hough, et al.; payment plan completed, case dismissed.

County Treasurer vs. Douglas Faulk, et al.; payment plan completed, case dismissed.

County Treasurer vs. Alicia Brown, et al.; payment plan completed, case dismissed.

County Treasurer vs. Justin Witheral, et al.; payment plan completed, case dismissed.

County Treasurer vs. Paul Welsh, et al.; payment plan completed, case dismissed.

County Treasurer vs. Michael G. Post Jr., et al.; payment plan completed, case dismissed.

County Treasurer vs. Craig Yanni, et al.; payment plan completed, case dismissed.

County Treasurer vs. Rick Horton, et al.; payment plan completed, case dismissed.

County Treasurer vs. Charles Wright, et al.; payment plan completed, case dismissed.

County Treasurer vs. George Garnes, et al.; payment plan completed, case dismissed.

County Treasurer vs. William Farnsworth, et al.; payment plan completed, case dismissed.

County Treasurer vs. Jeffery Brucker, et al.; payment plan completed, case dismissed.

County Treasurer vs. Lisa Brothers, et al.; payment plan completed, case dismissed.

County Treasurer vs. Edward Edling Jr., et al.; payment plan entered, case stayed, taxes for one parcel paid, with that parcel dismissed from case.

Joshua Sekerak Sr. vs. Jennifer Paskali-Sekerak; divorce case dismissed.

Cavalry SPV I, LLC vs. Joseph Kelly; $27,202 judgment granted to plaintiff.

Jack Marchbanks, Director, Ohio Department of Transportation vs. Craig Cozza, et al.; $514 settlement amount issued for appropriation of land for easement.

County Treasurer vs. Diane Davis, et al.; payment plan completed, case dismissed.

County Treasurer vs. Hazel Kendall, now known as Harris; delinquent property tax foreclosure ordered for Ogden Street, East Liverpool property.

County Treasurer vs. Rochelle Russell, et al.; payment plan entered, case stayed.

Marriage Licenses

Michael Pirie, 34, East Liverpool, driver, and Ayrrianne Mackey, 28, East Liverpool, unemployed.

Arthur Clendenning Jr., 31, Lisbon, Ultium Cells/GM Maintenance, and Emma Merrill, 31, Lisbon, stay at home parent.

Samuel Holshue, 22, Lisbon, self employed, and Dakota Tate, 25, Newell, W.Va., server.

Robert Macklin Jr., 54, Columbiana, sanitation supervisor, and Terri Hillyer, 52, Hanoverton, QA supervisor.

Cory Wolfe, 25, Salem, explosive technician, and Madison Bufkin, 23, Salem, assistant director.

Tyler Johnson, 30, East Liverpool, mechanic, and Alyssa Novak, 26, Georgetown, Pa., industrial engineer.

Gregory Jones, 25, Negley, heavy equipment operator, and Jamie Brown, 25, Lisbon, registered nurse.

Ryan Ostrander, 35, East Liverpool, hot foods/deli, and Rachel Thomas, 33, East Liverpool, unemployed.

Robert Naughton, 33, Lisbon, elementary school custodian, and Samantha Veitz, 29, Lisbon, DJFS case worker.

Matthew McGuire, 31, Lisbon, laborer, and Brittany Gamble, 30, Lisbon, LPN.

Brendan Copernace, 29, East Liverpool, unemployed, and Katrina George, 26, East Liverpool, unemployed.

Kylynn Johnathon Forrest, 25, East Liverpool, laborer, and Makayla Lynn Ammon, 27, East Liverpool, RN supervisor.

Andrew Millar, 35, Salem, truck driver, and Jessica Miller, 38, Salem, graphic designer.

Darrin Dustman, 30, Lisbon, electrician, and Sarah Shipley, 26, Salem, preschool teacher.

Ryan Pollock, 28, Salem, machinist, and Pacen Koa, 23, Salem, office manager/patient coordinator.

Rafael Tum Pu, 37, East Palestine, unemployed, and Wendy Cutlip, 36, East Palestine, unemployed.

Matthew Strati, 25, Beaver Falls, Pa., nurse practitioner, and Maddison Zeigler, 23, Beaver Falls, Pa., registered nurse.

Kaleb Wright, 27, East Liverpool, railroad conductor, and Dakota Schmidt, 25, East Liverpool, stay at home mom.

Brandon Hippely, 25, Salem, machinist, and Brooke Parfaite, 25, Salem, unemployed.

Court News

LISBON — An attorney for a West Virginia man accused of raping an 11-year-old child recently filed a written plea of not guilty by reason of insanity.

Defense attorney Terry Grenga filed the written plea in Columbiana County Common Pleas Court, also filing a motion for a competency evaluation for her client, Michael Pressley, 39, Sistersville, W.Va., who’s facing one count of first-degree felony rape.

In both the motion and the insanity plea, Grenga noted that Pressley had a history of severe mental health illness and suffered from mental health conditions.

A review hearing was set before Judge Scott Washam for Oct. 9.

Pressley was charged with first-degree felony rape for allegedly engaging in sexual conduct with the child victim from Nov. 1, 2022 to Nov. 20, 2022.

Grand Jury

LISBON — An East Liverpool man accused of helping a woman illegally access food program benefits by holding himself out to be someone else was served Sunday with a secret indictment for felony charges.

John Poole, 54, Chester Avenue, was charged with complicity in the commission of an offense and identity fraud, both third-degree felonies, for alleged actions from Jan. 1, 2021 to Dec. 31, 2022.

According to the indictment, Poole allegedly conspired with a woman to commit illegal use of supplemental nutrition assistance program (SNAP) benefits or WIC Program benefits, holding himself out to be her landlord to make false statements to the Columbiana County Department of Job and Family Services. He also used, obtained or possessed personal identity information of another man with the intent to hold himself out to be that man.

Also served with secret indictments were:

— Samantha Gallimore, 35, Pancake Clarkson Road, Rogers, second-degree felony burglary for allegedly trespassing on a property with the purpose to commit theft on April 6, 2023.

— Elizabeth McCauley, 50, Newell, W.Va., fifth-degree felony possession of cocaine and a specification for forfeiture of money in a drug case for allegedly possessing $340 and cocaine on Nov 4, 2018.

— Solomon Yoder, 25, Meadville, Pa., fifth-degree felony aggravated possession of drugs and a specification for forfeiture of money in a drug case for allegedly possessing $20 and methamphetamine on March 25, 2021.

Municipal

LISBON — In Columbiana County Municipal Court, a case against Michael C. Henderson, 60, West Main Street, East Palestine, was bound over to the county grand jury for fifth-degree felony telecommunication harassment for allegedly sending threatening messages, including a threat to take a man’s life, on Jan 28 in Salem.

A preliminary/pretrial hearing was set Aug. 26 for Brenston Trevel Thompkins, 29, homeless, East Liverpool, charged with first-degree felony aggravated burglary, third-degree felony having weapons while under disability, second-degree felony burglary, and misdemeanors of aggravated trespass and criminal trespass. On June 13, Thompkins allegedly trespassed in the parking lot of the Columbiana Metropolitan Housing Authority facility in East Liverpool. That same day he also pulled a gun out at the BP gas station in East Liverpool and advised another man to give him his car keys and possibly struck the man with the handgun. On Dec. 13, 2023, he allegedly knocked an air conditioner out of a window, reached in and unlocked the front door of an East Liverpool residence, trespassing in a woman’s apartment. He had been placed on the no trespass list for the Woodland Hills property.

A preliminary/pretrial hearing was set Aug. 26 for Jessica Jean Morris, 46, Market Street, East Liverpool, charged with third-degree felony harassment with a bodily substance and misdemeanor disorderly conduct for allegedly being severely intoxicated in East Liverpool on Aug. 18 and refusing to get into a police cruiser for a ride home. After being taken into custody and taken to the police station, she allegedly spit on the arm of a police officer.

A preliminary hearing was set Sept. 9 for Joseph Graham, 32, Atwater, charged with first-degree felony aggravated burglary for allegedly entering a residence while naked and causing considerable damage to belongings inside after wrecking his truck in a driveway on Carbon Hill Road and causing damage to mailboxes on Aug. 18.

A preliminary/pretrial hearing was set Sept. 12 for Caleb Moore, 20, Carmel Achor Road, Rogers, charged with third-degree felony fleeing and eluding police officer and misdemeanor resisting arrest and license plate light for allegedly fleeing from police on a dirt bike as officers tried to initiate a traffic stop in Lisbon on Aug. 16. He allegedly failed to stop after wrecking his dirt bike, then getting back on the dirt bike and continuing to flee, causing chasing officers to deploy a taser in an attempt to take him into custody.

A pretrial was set Aug. 26 for Jarrett Shields, 23, Lisbon Street, East Liverpool, charged with resisting arrest, obstructing official business and three counts of violating a temporary protection order. During his arrest on Aug. 17 for warrants, he allegedly gave false information regarding his identification, providing a wrong name and birthdate, and also pulled his arms away while being handcuffed. The protection order violations stem from Shields allegedly being at Walmart in Calcutta on Dec. 4, 2022, Dec. 17, 2022 and Jan. 6, 2023 in violation of a protection order which prohibits him from being there.

A pretrial was set Aug. 26 for David Sparks, 31, Sophia Street, East Liverpool, charged with aggravated menacing for allegedly threatening to blow a woman’s head off and pulling what he admitted was a stick in the shape of a gun during an argument on July 15 in East Liverpool.

A pretrial was set Nov. 21 for Omro Mousa Ghaith, 21, Youngstown, charged with engaging in prostitution and possessing criminal tools for allegedly requesting sexual conduct from an undercover agent for an agreed upon price of $100, then traveling to Salem on Aug. 18 for the meeting, with the phone used to make the arrangements in his possession.

Scott J. Ortenzio, 61, Youngstown, was fined $150 and given a suspended 30-day jail term for engaging in prostitution. A charge of possessing criminal tools was dismissed. He was ordered to complete 20 hours community service and an online prostitution prevention course. As part of an undercover operation, Ortenzio requested sexual conduct and contact from an undercover agent for an agreed upon price of $60, then drove to Salem on June 6 for the meeting with the phone used to make the arrangements in his possession.

A pretrial was set Oct. 24 for Jerry Alan Crossland, 30, Steubenville, charged with engaging in prostitution, possessing criminal tools and driving under suspension for allegedly responding to an undercover ad on a known prostitution website and arranging for sexual activity with a female in exchange for $140, then driving to East Palestine on May 26 for the meeting. Crossland allegedly had the phone used to make the arrangements in his possession.

A pretrial was set Nov. 21 for Kane Robert Moore, 29, Washington, Pa., charged with engaging in prostitution, possessing criminal tools and operating a vehicle impaired first offense for allegedly responding to an undercover ad on a known prostitution website and arranging for sexual activity with a female in exchange for $300 and bringing the female marijuana, then driving to East Palestine on Aug. 14 for the meeting. Moore allegedly had the phone used to make the arrangements in his possession.

A pretrial was set Oct. 28 for Andrew Freed, 18, Hadley Road, East Palestine, charged with two counts of theft for allegedly removing $81 cash from the office at East Palestine Marathon on Aug. 15 and allegedly shoplifting $37.41 worth of candy and clothing from East Palestine Dollar General on Aug. 16.

A pretrial was set Nov. 21 for Lisa Renee White, 40, Gardendale Street, East Liverpool, charged with theft for allegedly stealing 52 items valued at $439.94 from the Calcutta Walmart on Aug. 5.

Lindsay Buzzard, 36, Fisher Avenue, East Liverpool, was fined $200 and sentenced to 12 days in jail, with credit for 12 days served, for two counts drug abuse instruments for possessing loaded syringes on June 20, 2022 in St. Clair Township.

Kayla Clingerman, 38, Walnut Street, Salem, was sentenced to 30 days in jail, with credit for 21 days served, leaving nine days to serve in jail, for illegal use or possession of drug paraphernalia. She was ordered to pay just costs. On May 23 in Salem, she possessed a cut red straw with an unknown white residue.

Sentencing was set Sept. 5 for John Allen Williams, 43, West Ninth Street, East Liverpool, who pleaded guilty to assault for pushing another man into the gate of a house in East Liverpool on Aug. 16.

A pretrial was set Oct. 28 for Cody Johnson, 32, East Ohio Avenue, charged with telecommunications harassment for allegedly messaging a woman from multiple different numbers and harassing her on March 3, 2021.

A pretrial was set Oct. 29 for Richard Vecchio, 62, state Route 164, Lisbon, charged with public indecency for allegedly exposing his private parts on state Route 45, Lisbon after removing his pants and urinating near the public roadway near Taco Bell under a light on Aug. 17. The police affidavit alleged that Vecchio was highly intoxicated and threw an empty Vodka bottle into the road.

Dustin Holderbaum, 21, East Sparta, was fined $500 and sentenced to 90 days in jail, with 89 days suspended and credit for one day served for two counts criminal damaging. He was ordered to complete 120 hours of community service and to make restitution of $513 to Suburban Market. On May 10 at Suburban Market on Newgarden Avenue, Salem, Holderbaum threw an object at the drive-thru window, shattering the glass window.

A pretrial was set Nov. 14 for Michelle Stowers, 49, Sprucevale Road, East Liverpool, charged with use of unauthorized plate, improper/expired registration and drug paraphernalia for allegedly possessing two cut straws with residue during a traffic stop on Aug. 5 in St. Clair Township.

Charges of illegal use or possession of drug paraphernalia, possessing marijuana and possession of marijuana drug paraphernalia were dismissed against Roni Wafler, 44, Hill View Avenue, Minerva, who had been accused of possessing a metal pipe with filter and burnt residue, less than 100 grams of marijuana and a glass smoking pipe with burnt residue on July 21, 2023 in Yellow Creek Township. Wafler was fined $925 and sentenced to 90 days in jail, with 87 days suspended and credit for three days served in a driver intervention program for operating a vehicle impaired and failure to control. Wafler’s driver’s license was suspended for one year and she was ordered to complete 20 hours community service.

A charge of possession of drugs against James Bollinger, 34, West Martin Street, East Palestine, was dismissed due to improper filing as a misdemeanor. Bollinger was accused of possessing methamphetamine on March 1 in East Palestine.

Heidi Hostetter, 43, Cedar Ridge Drive, Salem, was fined $400 and given a suspended 30-day jail term for illegal use or possession of drug paraphernalia and driving under suspension for possessing a clear glass pipe with burnt crystal residue in her vehicle in Salem on Feb. 11. She was ordered to complete 40 hours community service.

Brenna Hodos, 41, Woodland Avenue, Salem, was fined $200 and sentenced to 30 days in jail, with 29 days suspended and credit for one day served for illegal use or possession of drug paraphernalia. She was ordered to complete 20 hours community service. During a traffic stop on May 28 in Salem, she possessed a clear pipe with burnt residue which she identified as a crack pipe.

Kevin Caldwell, 24, state Route 46, New Waterford, was fined $250 for driving under suspension. A charge of illegal use or possession of drug paraphernalia was dismissed. Caldwell was accused of possessing several snort straws during a traffic stop on Aug. 28, 2023 in Columbiana.

Cruz Allen Murphy, 32, East North Avenue, East Palestine, was fined $1,750 and sentenced to 180 days in jail, with 120 days suspended, leaving a balance of 60 days to serve in jail for two counts OVI second offense, driving while texting, two counts driving under suspension, reasonable control and speeding. Murphy’s driver’s license was suspended for three years and he was ordered to complete 40 hours community service.

Mindy Marie Jenkins, 40, West Sixth Street, Salem, was fined $875 and sentenced to 60 days in jail, with 57 days suspended and credit for three days served in a driver intervention program, for operating a vehicle impaired. A speeding charge was dismissed. Jenkins was ordered to complete 20 hours community service and her driver’s license was suspended for one year, with driving privileges granted.

A pretrial was set Sept. 16 for Neil Turkaly, 28, South Main Street, Columbiana, charged with OVI first offense.

Kurt Kampfer, 61, Lisbon Street, Leetonia, was fined $900 and sentenced to 60 days in jail, with 57 days suspended and credit for three days served in a driver intervention program for OVI and speeding. Charges of OVI breath and right of way of public safety vehicle were dismissed. His driver’s license was suspended for one year, with driving privileges granted. He was ordered to complete 20 hours community service.

A pretrial was set Nov. 19 for Robert William Little, 82, Prospect Street, Salem, charged with hit skip/leave scene and failure to control.

A pretrial was set Oct. 24 for Malcom Wade, 30, Washington Street, East Liverpool, charged with driving under suspension, loud exhaust and failure to display valid sticker.

A pretrial was set Nov. 21 for Lisa Renee White, 40, Gardenale Street, East Liverpool, charged with no driver’s license.

Tristan Taylor, 32, Commerce Street, Wellsville, was fined $150 for driving under suspension.

Shaun Cooper, 36, Chester, W.Va., was fined $250 for no license and open container.

Georgia Matz, 24, Bayard Road, Homeworth, was fined $150 for speeding.

Markus Adams, 27, Pass Lane, Lisbon, was fined $150 for marked lanes. A charge of OVI was dismissed.