Court News

LISBON — An East Liverpool man accused of multiple drug counts entered a guilty plea to all charges and was sentenced to nine months in prison.

Nathan E. Elkins, 37, Dresden Avenue, pleaded guilty to third-degree felony tampering with evidence, fifth-degree felonies of possessing criminal tools, possession of heroin, possession of a fentanyl-related compound, two counts aggravated possession of drugs and two counts possession of drugs and misdemeanor obstructing official business for concealing narcotics in a partially hollowed out rubberized male private part tied to his leg during a traffic stop in Lisbon on April 19. He allegedly began pulling away when officers were conducting a probable cause search and allegedly possessed heroin, fentanyl,methamphetamine, 6-monoacetylmorphine, xylazine and clonazepam. He received credit for 68 days served in jail.

Also in Common Pleas Court:

— Devon H. Jones, also known as Bryon or Byron, 33, Cleveland, was sentenced to 36 months in prison for three counts of trafficking in heroin, a fourth-degree felony, for three consecutive 12-month terms. He received credit for 15 days served. Charges to be dismissed included three counts of trafficking in fentanyl-related compound and three counts of trafficking in drugs. The charges in the indictment involved heroin and fentanyl, both in amounts equal or greater than 1 gram but less than 5 grams, and Xylazine in an amount less than bulk on July 10, 2023, July 14, 2023 and July 25, 2023.

— Julius J. Vajda, 59, state Route 45, Lisbon, pleaded guilty to a lesser-included offense of misdemeanor failure to comply with an order or signal of a police officer,previously a felony, and two counts of misdemeanor operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol, a drug of abuse or a combination of them-OVI. Sentencing was set for May 5. Vajda allegedly fled from police attempting a traffic stop in Lisbon on Oct. 25, 2025.

— Kenneth Kleinknecht, 53, Lisbon Road, Leetonia, was ordered to serve 120 days in the county jail, with credit for 36 days served, leaving a balance of 84 days still to serve for violating the terms of his probation for aggravated possession of drugs, a fifth-degree felony. He possessed methamphetamine on April 16, 2024.

— Richard D. Simons Jr., 26, North Beaver Street, Lisbon, pleaded guilty to fourth-degree felony failure to provide address for failing to verify his address on May 26, 2025 for the sex offender registration. He was sentenced to 365 days in the county jail, with a credit of 233 days, to be served at the same time as the 270-day term for a 2024 case.

Common Pleas

New Cases

County Treasurer, Lisbon, vs. John D. Fisher, state Route 517, Lisbon, et al.; delinquent property tax foreclosure sought for state Route 517, Lisbon and Miller Road, Lisbon property.

County Treasurer, Lisbon, vs. Douglas E. Riley, Allen Drive, Salem, et al.; delinquent property tax foreclosure sought for Allen Drive, Salem property.

County Treasurer, Lisbon, vs. Thomas J. Sprowls, Neeld Road, East Palestine, et al.; delinquent property tax foreclosure sought for Neeld Road, East Palestine property.

County Treasurer, Lisbon, vs. Tom J. Prentice, Stagecoach Road, East Liverpool; delinquent property tax foreclosure sought for Pennsylvania Avenue, East Liverpool property.

County Treasurer, Lisbon, vs. Michael E. Sanor, Laughlin Road, Lisbon, et al.; delinquent property tax foreclosure sought for Laughlin Road, Lisbon property.

Christopher L.R. Vesey, Winona Road, Homeworth, vs. Kelli Vesey, Oldsmar, Fla.; divorce sought.

Ashlie L. Williams, Cedar Ridge Drive, Salem, vs. Jesse L. Williams, Farrell, Pa.; divorce sought.

Williams G. Jones II, Spillway Road, Lisbon, et al. vs. Adam M. Sweda, Canonsburg, Pa., and Progressive Casualty Insurance Company, Highland Heights; damages sought for alleged claims of negligence, personal injury and underinsured motorist for 2024 traffic crash.

Docket Entries

Shayne M. Welling vs. Faith A. Welling; divorce granted.

Marriage Licenses

Herbert Paul Gifford, 77, Hanoverton, retired, and Shirley Ann France, 80, Salem, retired.

Allen Lee Cleary, 47, Wellsville, retired, and Tracy R. Kumi, 49, Wellsville, clergy.

Derek A. Peddicord, 32, East Palestine, clinical specialist, and Emily N. Hakes, 27, East Palestine, registered nurse.

David S. Garver, 50, Rogers, laborer, and Casey D. Coie, 52, Rogers, registered nurse.

Anthony D. Boord, 25, East Rochester, Walmart Cap 1, and Haleigh R. Hill, 24, East Rochester, unemployed.

Stephen M. Smith, 53, East Liverpool, tow truck driver, and Carrie S. Haddock, 49, East Liverpool, office coordinator.

Daniel A. Meade, 53, Lisbon, engineer, and Michele Lee Dangelo, 61, Lisbon, nail technician.

Tyler S. Steed, 31, Salineville, order filler, and Brandy N. Potts, 37, Salineville, order filler.

Travis A. Smith, 44, Homeworth, foundry worker, and Miranda M. Coss, 41, Homeworth, customer service.

Athan J. Baker, 20, East Liverpool, shop hand, and Dakotah E. Tanley, 20, East Liverpool, grinder.

Grand Jury

LISBON — A man accused of allegedly taking drugs into a detention facility and trafficking and possessing drugs was served recently with a secret indictment issued by the Columbiana County Grand Jury.

David A.M. Talbott, 35, Youngstown, was charged with third-degree felonies of illegal conveyance of drugs of abuse onto the grounds of a specified governmental facility, aggravated trafficking in drugs, and aggravated possession of drugs and fifth-degree felony possession of cocaine. The incidents with the drugs allegedly occurred on Jan. 28, 2025 when he allegedly trafficked and possessed methamphetamine in an amount equal or greater than bulk but less than five times bulk, when he possessed cocaine and attempted to take drugs into the detention facility.

Also served with secret indictments were:

— Ashley M. Kerr, 35, state Route 45, Salem Township, possession of cocaine, a fifth-degree felony, for allegedly possessing cocaine on Oct. 16, 2025.

— Steven C. Stokes, 53, Youngstown, two counts of aggravated possession of drugs, a fifth-degree felony, for allegedly possessing lisdexamfetamine and methamphetamine on Sept. 29, 2025.

— Robert L. Byrd Jr., 45, Harker Avenue, East Liverpool, nonsupport of dependents, a fifth-degree felony, for allegedly failing to pay child support from Oct. 1, 2023 to Sept. 28, 2025.