Municipal

LISBON — In Columbiana County Municipal Court, a pretrial was set March 11 for Wade Eldridge Tookes, 54, Market Street, East Liverpool, charged with domestic violence for allegedly pushing a woman into a wall and spitting in her face during a domestic on March 20, 2019 in East Liverpool. His probation for a 2016 traffic case was dishonorably terminated.

A pretrial was set March 11 for Ronnie L. Jackson, 68, Steubenville Pike Road, Lisbon, charged with violation of a protection order for allegedly being within 500 feet of a protected person on Feb. 13 in Center Township and also threatening the person and his pet dog by saying he was going to shoot them, an affidavit said.

Kenneth J. Mosti, 49, Hammondsville, was ordered to serve 20 days in jail, with credit for five days served, leaving a balance of 15 days still to serve in jail for violating the terms of his probation for a 2023 case of failure to comply.

Anthony Thomas Gardner, 31, North Market Street, East Palestine, was fined $100 and given a suspended 30-day jail term for disorderly conduct amended from domestic violence. He was ordered to complete 20 hours community service. Gardner was accused of pulling a woman’s hair, punching her in the right knee and hitting her in the back with something during an incident when he said he was gathering his property and moved her out of the way on Nov. 26, 2025 in East Palestine.

Teryn Amber Fullerton, 30, Jackson Street, East Liverpool, was fined $1,405 and sentenced to 180 days in jail, with 166 days suspended and credit for 14 days served, for operating a vehicle impaired, driving under suspension, left of center and disorderly conduct amended from domestic violence. Her probation for a 2023 OVI case was dishonorably terminated. Her driver’s license was suspended for two years and she was ordered to complete 25 hours community service. She was accused of hitting a man over the head with a ceramic coffee mug on Sept. 4, 2025 in East Liverpool.

Benjamin M. Kuhlen, 29, state Route 45, Lisbon, was fined $150 and given a suspended 30-day jail term for menacing. He was ordered to complete 20 hours community service and to stay away from the victim. He was accused of threatening a woman with physical harm on Oct. 22, 2025 in Center Township.

Tyler Christopher Woolmaker, 21, Idaho Avenue, East Liverpool, was ordered to serve 90 days in jail, but received credit for 90 days already served, leaving none to serve for violating the terms of his probation for a 2023 domestic violence case.

A pretrial was set April 27 for James M. Williams, 32, Riverview, Fla., charged with engaging in prostitution and possessing criminal tools for allegedly responding to an undercover ad on a known prostitution website and arranging for sexual activity with a woman in exchange for money, traveling to East Palestine on Feb. 24 for the meeting with the phone used to make the arrangements in his possession.

A pretrial was set April 27 for Joseph Ronald Crowder, 37, Ravenna, charged with engaging in prostitution and possessing criminal tools for allegedly responding to an undercover ad on a known prostitution website and arranging for sexual activity with a woman in exchange for money, then arriving in East Palestine on Feb. 24 for the meeting with the phone used to make the arrangements in his possession.

A pretrial was set May 18 for Alyssa D. Evans, 31, Bradshaw Avenue, East Liverpool, charged with theft and endangering children for allegedly pocketing some items and failing to scan other items totaling $39 without paying at the Salem Walmart on Jan. 6. On Jan. 10 in Wellsville, she allegedly wrecked her car into a parked vehicle and appeared inebriated while a child was in her car, a police affidavit said.

A pretrial was set April 29 for Ginger Ann Crum, 47, Signal Road, Columbiana, charged with theft for allegedly ticket switching multiple items and failing to pay for 44 items valued at $344 at the Calcutta Walmart on Feb. 10.

A pretrial was set May 4 for John E. Seddon IV, 41, East Third Street, Salem, charged with noncompliance, physical control and theft. A probation violation hearing was also set May 4 for a 2025 case of physical control. He was accused of allegedly coming into the Salem Walmart multiple times on Sept. 23, 2025 and stealing two cans of duster each time without paying.

Damien M. Shannon, 22, Richmond, was fined $100 and given a suspended 30-day jail term for telecommunications harassment. He was ordered to have no contact with the victim. Shannon continued texting a woman in a harassing manner multiple times on July 10, 2025 in Salineville after she asked him multiple times to stop texting her.

Natalie Nicole Buzzard, 53, Bloomfield Avenue, East Liverpool, was fined $600 and sentenced to 90 days in jail, with 85 days suspended and credit for one day served, leaving four days still to serve in jail for possessing criminal tools and two counts of theft. She was ordered to make restitution of $242.17 to Calcutta Walmart. A charge of drug paraphernalia was dismissed. Buzzard failed to scan and pay for nine items totaling $95.21 from the Calcutta Walmart on April 30, 2025 and then on Nov. 24, 2025, she carried empty bags back into the store and bagged her items, leaving without paying for 29 items totaling $146.96 at the Calcutta Walmart. She also used her empty purse to conceal merchandise. The drug paraphernalia charge stemmed from her alleged possession of a burnt glass pipe during a traffic stop in East Liverpool on June 26, 2025.

Michael Shane Fowler, 54, West Clark Street, East Palestine, was fined $450 and sentenced to 180 days in jail, with 170 days suspended, leaving 10 days to serve for criminal trespass, open container, disorderly conduct and attempted. Fowler was accused of threatening to harm himself on the railroad tracks in East Palestine on Sept. 17, 2025 when he was found sitting in the middle of the rail between Market Street and James Street with his dog leashed and sitting next to him.

Tiffany Aitken, 44, Pearl Street, Leetonia, was fined $150 for disorderly conduct amended from obstructing official business for concealing a man wanted on a warrant at her Leetonia home on June 3, 2025.

Jeffrey J. Johnson, 56, Georgetown, Pa., was fined $100 and given a suspended 30-day jail term for criminal trespass. He was ordered to stay out of the Calcutta Walmart. On March 13, 2025, he was seen inside the bank in the Calcutta Walmart. He was trespassed from the store a few days prior to that for allegedly harassing female employees.

Devon Anthony Wagner, 32, Youngstown, was fined $100 for hunting white tailed deer without a non-resident deer permit for hunting without a permit on Oct. 25, 2025 in Wayne Township.

A pretrial was set May 4 for Parker Shields, 19, Canfield, charged with failure to stop after an accident and assured clear distance.

A pretrial was set May 4 for Julian Cruz Garcia, 47, South Washington Street, East Palestine, charged with expired license.

A pretrial was set March 2 for Christy N. Rohn, 34, Benton Road, Salem, charged with driving under suspension.

A pretrial was set April 20 for Clinton A. Scott II, 48, Union Street, Columbiana, charged with 12 point suspension.

A pretrial was set April 29 for Susan Marie Joy, 20, East Lincoln Way, Lisbon, charged with driving under suspension.

Charges of no valid license, a stop sign violation and reasonable control against James Stuart Beebout, 25, Densmore Avenue, East Liveprool, were all dismissed.

Eric S. Slagle, 34, Berry Road NE, Kensington, was fined $530 for no seat belt and two counts of driving under suspension.

A driving under suspension charge against William Stanton, 56, East Friend Street, Columbiana, was dismissed.

Kamryn Jane Peruchetti, 18, Lisbon Road, Leetonia, was fined $50 for failure to yield.

Chad Allan Smith, 39, Lincoln Avenue, East Liverpool, was fined $200 for stop sign-school bus.

Charges of speeding and obedience to traffic control devices against Darren Glen Millhoff, 48, Rochester, Pa., were dismissed by the court, with a notation that no attorney appeared for the village of East Palestine.

Sandra M. Mink, 74, Warren, was fined $100 for unsafe vehicle amended from failure to move left for public safety vehicle.

A driving under suspension charge against Catherine L. Sayre, 54, Sprucevale Road, East Liverpool, was dismissed.

Michael R. Walker, 24, Girard, was fined $180 for speeding and no seat belt. A charge of no license was dismissed.

George M. Landsberger, 57, Waterford Road, East Palestine, was fined $360 for driving under suspension and two counts of reasonable control.

Paul F Biese, 22, San Marcos, Calif., was fined $150 for an equipment violation amended from speeding.

Lacey Lucas, 40, Chester, W.Va., was fined $150 for no license and failure to display valid sticker.

Common Pleas

New Cases

Monica Yoho, Yates Road, Salem, vs. Russel Yoho III, Yates Road, Salem; divorce sought.

Bank of New York Mellon, Salt Lake City, Utah, vs. Ronald Lee Willis, McCann Road, Salem, et al.; mortgage foreclosure sought for McCann Road, Salem property.

Mariner Finance LLC, East State Street, Salem, vs. Robert V. Selmon Sr., St. Clairsville; collection sought of alleged $20,765 debt.

United Wholesale Mortgage LLC, Ewing, N.J. vs. Bernadette Marie Mellinger, Pine Street, Leetonia, et al.; mortgage foreclosure sought for Columbiana County property.

Synchrony Bank, Draper, Utah vs. Staci Smith, Augusta Road, East Rochester; collection sought of alleged $17,595 debt.

CNJ Construction vs. Moreno Concrete, LLC, et al.; defendant Sampson & Sons Concrete LLC seeking appeal in Seventh District Court of Appeals to challenge denial of motion to vacate judgment.

Docket Entries

County Treasurer vs. unknown heirs, etc. of Louise N. Wells; East Liverpool property forfeited to the state of Ohio, case dismissed.

County Treasurer vs. Joseph Yarzebinski, et al.; Middleton Township property forfeited to the state of Ohio, case dismissed.

County Treasurer vs. Hilda Eaddy, et al.; Middleton Township property forfeited to the state of Ohio, case dismissed.

County Treasurer vs. Emory W. Wright, et al.; East Liverpool property forfeited to the state of Ohio, case dismissed.

County Treasurer vs. Brittcorp Inc., et al.; Salem property forfeited to the state of Ohio, case dismissed.

County Treasurer vs. unknown heirs, etc. of James Mays Jr.; East Liverpool property forfeited to the state of Ohio, case dismissed.

County Treasurer vs. E.C. Charlton; Hanover Township property forfeited to the state of Ohio, case dismissed.

County Treasurer vs. unknown heirs, etc. of Ray F. Seitz; St. Clair Township property forfeited to the state of Ohio, case dismissed.

County Treasurer vs. Sekely Industries Inc., et al.; Salem property forfeited to the state of Ohio, case dismissed.

County Treasurer vs. Twyla Lynn McElhaney; Wellsville property forfeited to the state of Ohio, case dismissed.

County Treasurer vs. Park Place Investments, LLC; Salem property forfeited to the state of Ohio, case dismissed.

County Treasurer vs. Daneen Y. Rearley, et al.; Wellsville property forfeited to the state of Ohio, case dismissed.

County Treasurer vs. Sean M. Russell; East Liverpool property forfeited to the state of Ohio, case dismissed.

County Treasurer vs. Donald Quimby, et al.; East Liverpool property forfeited to the state of Ohio, case dismissed.

County Treasurer vs. Justin Meiser, et al.; East Liverpool property forfeited to the state of Ohio, case dismissed.

County Treasurer vs. Molly H. Merryman, et al.; Salem property forfeited to the state of Ohio, case dismissed.

County Treasurer vs. John Dear, et al; East Liverpool property forfeited to the state of Ohio, case dismissed.

Capital One, N.A. vs. David W. Trotter; $19,084 judgment granted to plaintiff.

U.S. Bank Trust National Association vs. Jeffrey A. McGraw, et al.; case returned to active docket.

Tary Gilbert vs. Heritage Cooperative Inc., et al.; case settled and dismissed.

County Treasurer vs. Michael R. Reed, et al.; delinquent property taxes paid, case dismissed.

County Treasurer vs. Michael J. Hudak, et al.; delinquent property taxes paid, case dismissed.

County Treasurer vs. Patricia Lyn Myers, et al.; delinquent property tax foreclosure ordered for Florence Street, East Liverpool property.

Grand Jury

LISBON — Secret indictments issued by the Columbiana County Grand Jury were served Tuesday to two separate drug defendants, including:

— Derek J. Thompson, 31, St. George Street, East Liverpool, third-degree felonies of trafficking in cocaine and possession of cocaine, each with specifications for forfeiture of money in a drug case for allegedly preparing for sale and possessing cocaine in an amount equal or greater than 10 grams but less than 20 grams and possessing $414 on May 1, 2025.

— Sheila Marie Kralj, 45, Youngstown, possession of cocaine, a fifth-degree felony, for allegedly possessing cocaine on Oct. 13, 2024.

Court News

LISBON — A Salineville man accused of hitting a woman in the back of the head with a metal baseball bat last fall entered a guilty plea recently to felonious assault, a second-degree felony, and third-degree felony intimidation of an attorney, victim or witness in a criminal case.

Johnathan David Messenger, 31, West Street, Salineville, entered the plea in Columbiana County Common Pleas Court, with sentencing set for April 24.

A misdemeanor charge of aggravated menacing will be dismissed.

The incident occurred on Sept. 18, 2025 in Salineville when Messenger hit the woman in the back of the head with the bat at least three times and in her hand when she raised it to protect herself, then threatening to kill her if she called police and making jokes about killing her while transporting her to the hospital.

Also in Common Pleas Court:

— Christopher Burns, 42, Glassport, Pa., pleaded guilty to third-degree felony tampering with evidence and misdemeanors of engaging in prostitution and possessing criminal tools, with sentencing set for April 13. He was accused of responding to an undercover familial ad on a known prostitution website of an adult mother trafficking her daughter and arranging for sexual activity with the daughter for $140, sending $60 of the fee to an undercover account through a Cash App, then arriving in East Palestine for the meeting on Aug. 8, 2025. He was found in possession of a phone concealed under a pile of personal belongings in his truck and was prohibited from owning a smart phone as a condition of his probation for a case involving video recording a minor in a state of unity and sexual conduct with a minor, according to an affidavit by an agent of the Mahoning Valley Human Trafficking Task Force.

— Preston English, 32, Ravine Street, East Liverpool, pleaded guilty to fifth-degree felonies of possession of cocaine, possession of a fentanyl-related compound, aggravated possession of drugs and four counts of possession of drugs for allegedly possessing cocaine, fentanyl, oxycodone, clonazepam, buprenorphine, alprazolam and xylazine on Nov. 2, 2024. Charges of third-degree felony tampering with evidence and misdemeanor obstructing official business will be dismissed. He had been accused of failing to come out of a house in East Liverpool on Nov. 2, 2024 when police officers had a warrant for his arrest. He was found hiding in a bath tub in the residence. During a pat down before being transported to the county jail, he allegedly tried to kick away a baggy of suspected narcotics that fell from his shorts to the ground.

— Loren C. Webb, 47, Cleveland, pleaded guilty to third-degree felonies of illegal conveyance of drugs of abuse onto the grounds of a specified governmental facility and possession of a fentanyl-related compound and fourth-degree felony possession of cocaine, with sentencing set for April 24 for possessing both fentanyl and cocaine in amounts equal or greater than 5 grams but less than 10 grams and trying to take drugs into a detention facility on June 1, 2023.