Common Pleas

New Cases

Clearwater Construction, Petersburg, vs. First Citizen Bank & Trust Company, Portsmouth, New Hampshire; damages, release of lien and delivery of titles to plaintiff for vehicles sought for claims of alleged breach of contract and violation of title rules.

Docket Entries

Angel B. Brightbill vs. Cutler J. Brightbill; divorce complaint dismissed.

Servis One Inc. vs. Benjamin Wallace, et al.; case stayed due to bankruptcy filing.

PennyMac Loan Services LLC vs. Felicia M. Morckel, et al.; mortage foreclosure ordered for Cleveland Street, Salem property.

Bank of America N.A. vs. Cathlyn Price; $17,592 judgment granted to plaintiff.

Huntington National Bank vs. Ellen J. Senior, et al.; case dismissed.

County Treasurer vs. Lawrence R. Clemens, et al.; delinquent property taxes paid, case dismissed.

County Treasurer vs. unknown heirs, etc. of Lois Jane Jarvis; delinquent property tax foreclosure ordered for Orchard Street, East Liverpool property.

County Treasurer vs. Glenna K. Bailey, et al.; delinquent property taxes paid, case dismissed.

County Treasurer vs. John R. Justice, et al.; delinquent property taxes paid, case dismissed.

Grand Jury

LISBON — A Girard man who was already sentenced for charges of engaging in prostitution, possessing criminal tools and drug paraphernalia is now facing a felony drug charge from the same incident last fall.

Jeremiah J. Medley, 41, was served Tuesday with a secret indictment issued by the Columbiana County Grand Jury for aggravated possession of drugs, a third-degree felony, with a specification for forfeiture of money from a drug case for allegedly possessing methamphetamine in an amount equal or greater than bulk but less than five times bulk and $80 on Oct. 19, 2024.

Medley was sentenced in July in county Municipal Court to 60 days in jail for the misdemeanor charges of engaging in prostitution, possessing criminal tools and drug paraphernalia, with the term to be served at the same time as the prison term he’s serving until October 2026 for a failure to comply charge from Trumbull County. Medley had responded to an undercover ad on a known prostitution website and arranged for sexual activity with a female in exchange for $80, then arrived in East Palestine on Oct. 19, 2024 for the meeting.

Also served with secret indictments were:

— Brent T. Miller, 40, Old state Route 45, Lisbon, fifth-degree felony aggravated possession of drugs and misdemeanor illegal use or possession of drug paraphernalia for allegedly possessing methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia on Nov. 25, 2024.

— Jessica L. Stillion, 43, North Benton, fifth-degree felony aggravated possession of drugs for possessing methamphetamine on Nov. 25, 2024.

Alayha Cheylynn Thornton, 25, Commerce Street, Wellsville, was served Wednesday in Dayton with secret indictments issued by the Columbiana County Grand Jury for possession of a fentanyl-related compound and aggravated possession of drugs, both fifth-degree felonies, and illegal conveyance of drugs of abuse onto the grounds of a specified governmental facility, a third-degree felony, for allegedly possessing fentanyl on Feb. 24, 2024 and on Dec. 20, 2024 possessing methamphetamine and taking drugs into a detention facility.

Court News

LISBON — An East Liverpool man accused of sexual contact with a child was sentenced to 12 months in prison during a recent sentencing hearing in Columbiana County Common Pleas Court.

Ronald D. Buzzard, 54, Dresden Avenue, previously entered a guilty plea to the third-degree felony charge of gross sexual imposition. Another count of gross sexual imposition was dismissed. He received credit for 181 days already served in jail.

Buzzard was accused of having the sexual contact with the child starting when the child was 5 years old on Sept. 15, 2011 and continuing until Sept. 14, 2016.

Also in Common Pleas Court:

— Jimmy Anderson, 35, Pine Hollow Road, Lisbon, was sentenced to 12 months in prison after pleading no contest and being found guilty of fourth-degree felony menacing by stalking and pleading guilty to two counts violating a protection order, a fifth-degree felony. He received credit for 146 days already served in jail. He was accused of stalking a Leetonia family on May 11 after being told to stay away from them. He was also charged for purposely speaking to the victim, who has a protection order against him, after completing a hearing before county Municipal Court Judge Tim McNicol on May 19.

— Melissa A. Tamalonis, 33, Hookstown, Pa., pleaded guilty to attempted tampering with evidence, a fourth-degree felony lesser included offense, fifth-degree felonies of possession of a fentanyl-related compound, possession of cocaine and possession of heroin and misdemeanors of driving under suspension, drug paraphernalia, obstructing official business and two counts possession of drugs, with sentencing set for Dec. 15. The charges all stemmed from an incident June 6, 2023 when she possessed fentanyl, cocaine, heroin, tramadol and alprazolam, tampered with evidence and obstructed official business.

— Dorian Downs, 20, Washington Street, Lisbon, was ordered to serve a term at the Eastern Ohio Correction Center until the program is complete for violating the terms of probation for theft, a fifth-degree felony. Downs will remain under community control. Downs deprived Circle K of $5,229 from Nov. 23, 2023 to Dec. 9, 2023.

— Ryan Exline, 20, Hillcrest Road, Wellsville, was ordered to serve a term at the Eastern Ohio Correction Center until the program is complete for violating the terms of probation for attempted failure to comply with the order or signal of a police officer, a fourth-degree felony, and misdemeanor operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs for an incident on June 3 when he fled from police. He will remain under community control.

— Robert Johnson, 38, Cuyahoga Falls, was sentenced to 12 months in prison for failure to provide notice of change of address, a third-degree felony, with credit for two days already served in jail. He failed to provide notice of his change of address for the sex offender registration on Oct. 21, 2024.

— Michael David Bruce, 29, state Route 7, Rogers, was ordered to serve 101 days in the county jail, with credit for 23 days served, leaving a balance of 78 days still to serve for violating the terms of his probation for aggravated possession of drugs, a fifth-degree felony, for possessing methamphetamine on Oct. 27, 2023.

— Bobbie J. Doss, 46, Park Avenue, Salem, was sentenced to 90 days in the county jail and placed under community control for three years for possession of cocaine, a fifth-degree felony. Doss received credit for 78 days already served in jail, leaving a balance of 12 days to serve. Doss possessed cocaine on Dec. 23, 2023.

— Charlene M. Sias, 48, Pancake Clarkson Road, Negley, was sentenced to six months in prison for fifth-degree felony possession of a fentanyl-related compound, with credit for two days served. Sias possessed fetanyl on June 3, 2023.

— Wiley M. Bates, 41, East Lincoln Way, Lisbon, pleaded guilty to grand theft of a motor vehicle, a fourth-degree felony, with sentencing set for Nov. 17. Bates stole a vehicle on March 15, 2024.

— Meagan B. Conte, 37, Massillon, was placed on a intervention plan for 18 months after pleading guilty to possession of a fentanyl-related compound, a fifth-degree felony, for possessing fentanyl on May 13, 2024.

— James Poole, 42, Waterford Road, New Waterford, was placed under community control for three years after pleading guilty to aggravated possession of drugs, a fifth-degree felony, for possessing amphetamine on Marcy 7, 2024.

— Cody E. McDole, 28, 19th Street, Wellsville, was placed under community control for three years after pleading guilty to nonsupport of dependents, a fifth-degree felony for failing to pay child support from April 2, 2023 to March 30, 2025.

Municipal

LISBON — In Columbiana County Municipal Court, cases against John Dennis Lanam, 45, Anderson Boulevard, East Liverpool, were bound over to the county grand jury for third-degree felonies of strangulation and having weapons while under disability and misdemeanor assault for allegedly striking a woman with a closed fist, throwing her down ad using his forearm to place around her throat to choke her after an argument on Oct. 10 in Liverpool Township. The victim also alleged that after the assault, he grabbed a rifle, but never pointed it at her. He was prohibited from having a firearm due to previous convictions. He was also fined $100 for drug paraphernalia for items he possessed during a traffic stop April 20, 2024 in Columbiana, including a digital scale with residue, multiple baggies and a silver metal snorting straw. He was ordered to serve 30 days in jail for violating his probation for a 2024 case for operating a vehicle impaired and use of unauthorized plate.

A case against Maleek Marques Williams, 18, Erie, Pa., was bound over to the county grand jury for fourth-degree felony improper handling of firearm in a motor vehicle and misdemeanor complicity to aid/abet another for allegedly accompanying two women who arranged for a sex-for-hire meeting and having a loaded handgun in his pants pocket on Oct. 10 in East Palestine.

A case against Caitlin Marie Dunn, 27, West Fourth Street, East Liverpool, was bound over to the county grand jury for third-degree felony obstructing justice for allegedly telling police a man wanted on felony warrants was not inside her apartment when he was actually inside and she told him police were outside and he took off running from the rear of the residence on Oct. 11 in East Liverpool.

Cases against Corneil L. Haskins, 25, Youngstown, were bound over to the county grand jury for burglary, a second-degree felony, and misdemeanor resisting arrest for allegedly being inside a Fairfield Township property on Crestview Road and fleeing when deputies arrived on Sept. 26. The affidavit said he only stopped after a successful K-9 apprehension. He and another person were seen inside the property by the victim via house cameras.

A case against Brooke A. Potts, 24, East Lincoln Way, Lisbon, was bound over to the county grand jury for fifth-degree felony domestic violence for allegedly shoving another woman, who is pregnant, during an altercation on Oct. 13 in Lisbon.

A preliminary hearing was set Nov. 3 for Daniel J. Monte, 50, Independence Square, Wellsville, charged with felonious assault, a second-degree felony, for allegedly acting as if he was going to strike another man and then stomping on his face during a fight in Wellsville on Oct. 14.

A preliminary/pretrial hearing was set Oct. 30 for Arthur Niles Sherin, 48, Wilbert Avenue, East Liverpool, charged with second-degree felony burglary and misdemeanors of theft and two counts criminal trespass for allegedly trespassing in a woman’s apartment in East Liverpool and stealing her phone and financial cards while she was checking her mail and her juvenile daughter was there on Aug 23. He was accused of trespassing at the apartments at Woodland Hills in East Liverpool on Oct. 22 after being served with a no trespass notice for all Columbiana Metropolitan Housing Authority properties. He’s also facing a probation violation hearing on Oct. 30 for two 2025 cases for endangering children and domestic violence

A preliminary hearing was set Oct. 30 for Christopher Dontrae Craft, 32, Mill Street, Rogers, charged with domestic violence, a fourth-degree felony, for allegedly grabbing a woman by the hair and dragging her back into an apartment during a domestic in East Liverpool on Oct. 21.

A pretrial was set Jan. 20 for Eric L. Davis, 50, Riverside Avenue, Wellsville, charged with domestic violence for allegedly throwing a woman to the ground and punching her in the head and kicking her in the ribs in Wellsville on Oct. 21.

A pretrial was set Nov. 6 for Johnathan David Messenger, 31, West Street, Salineville, charged with assault for allegedly punching another inmate in the face at the Columbiana County jail on Oct. 17, with the alleged assault captured on surveillance cameras.

A pretrial was set Jan. 7 for Benjamin M. Kuhlen, 28, East Lincoln Way, Lisbon, charged with menacing for allegedly threatening a woman with physical harm on Oct. 22 at a Center Township property.

A theft charge against John Allen Williams, 45, West Ninth Street, East Liverpool, was dismissed by the state on the grounds of mistaken identity. Williams had been accused of trying to steal eight items amounting $54 at the East Liverpool Giant Eagle on July 20.

A pretrial was set Jan. 21 for Kshawn Ma’Lique Dixon, 26, Girard, charged with engaging in prostitution and possessing criminal tools for allegedly requesting sexual conduct from an undercover agent for an agreed upon price of $120 and driving to Salem on Oct. 2 for the meeting, with the phone used to make the arrangements in his possession.

A pretrial hearing was set Oct. 30 for Amber Lea Dawne Nguyen, 41, Monroe Avenue, Salem, charged with unauthorized use of a motor vehicle for allegedly taking another woman’s vehicle without authorization on May 16 in Salineville. She’s also facing a probation violation hearing on Oct. 30 for a 2023 case for criminal trespass.

Shyla M. Woodworth, 27, Vincent Road, Salem, was fined $250 and given a suspended 30-day jail term for disorderly conduct amended from aggravated menacing. She was ordered to complete 30 hours community service. She made threats to cause physical harm to a man and his family during a phone call on April 13 in Salem.

Robert L. Tucker, 74, Campground Road, Wellsville, was fined $500 and sentenced to 10 days in jail for theft and criminal trespass for trespassing at the Calcutta Walmart and stealing 30 items valued at $109 on March 27. Restitution was paid for $110.

Noah Anthony Harrelson, 19, State Line Road, Negley, was fined $150 for disorderly conduct amended from theft for stealing another man’s personalized wallet and vape pen on Jan. 30 in East Palestine.

Brandon J. Miller, 35, Bell Road, Lisbon, was fined $250 and given a suspended 30-day jail term for animals running at large for three donkeys and a cow that got loose and were on another property on June 20. The affidavit said Miller had received repeated warnings about his animals getting loose.

A pretrial was set Jan. 20 for Christopher Dorsey, 44, Erie Street, East Liverpool, for a housing code violation for allegedly removing a placard from his condemned house on Erie Street on Oct. 8, in violation of the East Liverpool city housing rules. The city had placed the placard on the house after it was condemned. He was fined $150 for two counts of animals running at large for his dog running loose on Oct. 7 and Oct. 8 in East Liverpool.

A pretrial was set Nov. 20 for Bryan Avery Faust, 18, Lakeview Road, Hanoverton, for sound amplifying devices for allegedly playing a loud stereo from his vehicle in Salem on Oct. 14.

Joseph E. Molesky, 33, state Route 172, Minerva, was fined $615 and sentenced to 90 days in jail, with 87 days suspended and credit for three days served in a driver intervention course, for operating a vehicle impaired first offense and reasonable control. His driver’s license was suspended for one year, with driving privileges granted. He was ordered to complete 20 hours community service.

Dana Duncan, 35, Haiti Road, Salineville, was fined $300 and sentenced to three days in jail for driving under suspension and a turn signal violation.

A pretrial was set Nov. 24 for Marquez Joseph Buckenheimer, 26, Industry, Pa., charged with driving while texting, speeding, no seat belt and two counts driving under suspension.

A pretrial was set Jan. 21 for George E. Germusa, 58, Georgetown, Pa., charged with driving under suspension.

A pretrial was set Dec. 9 for Ashley Marie Kerr, 34, state Route 45, Salem, charged with driving under suspension.

A pretrial was set Jan. 26 for Matthew B. Stride, 22, Allen Avenue, Columbiana, charged with speeding.

Jeffrey L. Zalick, 67, Macklin Road, New Waterford, was fined $75 for speeding.

James Doyle Moffett, 61, Whinnery Road, Hanoverton, was fined $100 for driving under suspension.

William Staton, 55, East Friend Street, Columbiana, was fined $100 for driving under suspension.

Amy Jo Andrews, 55, Shelton Road, Salem, was fined $100 for speeding.