The August session of the Richland County Grand Jury saw more than 70 indictments handed down, including two charges of kidnapping that could lead to life in prison if convicted.
Charles Ledbetter, 25, and Deana Hebert, 24, both face possible life sentences if convicted of kidnapping, among other charges including two counts of the illegal manufacturing of methamphetamine, two counts of the illegal assembly or possession of chemicals for the manufacture of methamphetamine, endangering children, and having weapons under disability. Ledbetter is additionally charged with two counts of failure to comply with order or signal of police officer.
The charges stem from an incident on June 7, 2014 where Mansfield Police officers initially responded to a domestic violence call in the 300 block of Boston Avenue. Richland County Assistant Prosecutor Dan Benoit explained the call also made mention of a possible methamphetamine lab located in the residence.
“Officers proceeded to the residence and were able to confirm what appeared to be a methamphetamine lab, or a lab with materials used in the production of methamphetamine,” said Benoit. “At some point during the interaction with the individuals located at the Boston Avenue address, there is some kind of text message that appears to be some kind of request for ransom money.”
The individuals located at the Boston Avenue address were Ray Coleman, 45, and Julie Starcher, 41, who were also indicted on charges for the illegal manufacturing of methamphetamine, the illegal assembly or possession of chemicals for the manufacture of methamphetamine, endangering children and the aggravated possession of drugs.
“What’s located in the residence was found in what is alleged to be Starcher and Coleman’s bedroom,” explained Benoit. He added that the endangering children charges indicate children were in the home or within the immediate vicinity of the activities taking place in the residence.
Benoit continued the text message requesting for ransom money is alleged to come from Hebert and Ledbetter. After the text message was received, Mansfield Police officers attempted to make contact with Hebert and Ledbetter at an address on Koogle Road. Hebert was located at the residence, where officers confirmed the description of Ledbetter’s vehicle and began to search for the vehicle. According to Benoit, deputies from the Richland County Sheriff’s Office made a positive identification of the defendant and attempted to effectuate a traffic stop.
“After that, a chase ensues,” said Benoit. “There is a vehicle crash at 1850 Bowen Road, at that point Mr. Ledbetter then is alleged to have taken off on foot.”
Ledbetter was incarcerated at the Richland County Jail on June 8, 2014 for charges of theft, failure to comply with order or signal of police officer, operating a motor vehicle under suspension, complicity, kidnapping, fleeing and eluding, and the illegal manufacture of drugs. Hebert was incarcerated at the Richland County Jail on June 7, 2014 for charges of kidnapping and the illegal manufacture of drugs.
“Through an investigation police found ways to implicate Ledbetter and Hebert in the production of methamphetamine as well,” said Benoit. He added a handgun and rifle were also located at the Koogle Road residence.
Without knowing whether charges would merge for sentencing purposes, Benoit stated if Ledbetter is convicted of all charges and required to serve consecutive sentences he could face 41 years to life in prison. Hebert could face 35 years to life in prison. Coleman and Starcher could face 24 years in prison.
The following additional people were indicted by the Richland County Grand Jury:
• Gregory Drake, 38, Mansfield, burglary, tampering with evidence, aggravated possession of drugs, possession of drugs and theft
• Fred James, 59, Cleveland, trafficking in cocaine with forfeiture specification (two counts), trafficking in cocaine, possession of cocaine with forfeiture specification, falsification and possessing criminal tools
• Matthew Kingman, 26, Shelby, aggravated burglary, breaking and entering and burglary
• Brett Epps Jr., 19, Mansfield, burglary (two counts)
• Marcus Spears, 53, Mansfield, domestic violence and aggravated burglary
• Mark Davis, 38, Mansfield, domestic violence and aggravated burglary
• Cephas Lindsay, 42, Mansfield, trafficking in cocaine
• Mario Ward, 37, Mansfield, trafficking in heroin with forfeiture specifications (2)
• Brian Lookabaugh, 48, Mansfield, grand theft of a motor vehicle and failure to comply with order or signal of police officer (two counts)
• Jeffery Bigelow, 46, Mansfield, operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs with OVI specifications (two counts)
• Jerrod Davis, 35, Columbus, improper handling of a firearm in a motor vehicle
• James Porter, 35, Mansfield, escape
• Robert Yates, 38, Mansfield, escape
• Shannon Peters, 30, Bellville, nonsupport of dependents (six counts)
• Christopher Neal, 32, Cleveland, having weapons while under disability (two counts)
• Matthew Miles, 24, Mansfield, failure to comply with order or signal of police officer
• Diraus Wagner III, 24, Mansfield, domestic violence
• Donna Ward, 24, Shiloh, possession of heroin
• Priscilla Freeman, 46, Iberia, possession of cocaine with forfeiture specification and possessing drug paraphernalia
• Steven Taylor, 32, Mansfield, endangering children (two counts) and domestic violence
• Rodney Southern, 41, Mansfield theft
• Jamell Coffee, 33, Mansfield, receiving stolen property and falsification
• Chad Kitts, 38, Mansfield, possession of heroin and trafficking in heroin
• Donald Pfirsch, 56, Mansfield, assault on a police officer (two counts)
• Charity Griffith, 23, Mansfield, possession of heroin
• Sarah Alvarado, 25, Mansfield, aggravated possession of drugs
• Ralph Graves, 22, c/o Southern Ohio Correctional Facility, 22, harassment with bodily substance (two counts)
• John Reese, 29, Mansfield, trafficking in heroin (two counts), having weapons while under disability (two counts) with forfeiture specifications (2), possession of cocaine, forgery and possessing criminal tools with forfeiture specification
• Steve Hollins, 38, Milwaukee WI, trafficking in heroin with forfeiture specification
• Kaiulani Holmes, 35, Mansfield, aggravated possession of drugs
• Cameron Ogle, 18, Mansfield, grand theft of a motor vehicle
• Chloe Travis, 31, Mansfield, receiving stolen property, misuse of credit cards and attempted misuse of credit cards (two counts)
• Amy Lee, 29, Mansfield, theft, forgery (two counts) and receiving stolen property
• Joshua Williams, 25, Mansfield, burglary
• Tara Miller, 24, Mansfield, receiving stolen property and forgery
• Rashad Keith, 23, Mansfield, receiving stolen property, forgery and misuse of credit cards (two counts)
• Amanda Polster, 33, Mansfield, aggravated possession of drugs
• Jason Ison, 34, Wooster, possession of cocaine
• Andrew Ravelo, 29, Wooster, possession of controlled substance analog
• Amanda Eiginger, 20, Columbus, possession of heroin
• Marjorie Guthrie, 47, Mansfield, theft, forgery (eight counts) and receiving stolen property (eight counts)
• Tonya Hornbeck, 44, Akron, aggravated possession of drugs
• Natasha Schmitz, 22, Ashland, possession of heroin
• Jeffrey Ramey, 40, Shelby, possession of heroin
• Kevin Longwell, 35, Elyria, receiving stolen property
• Gene Payne, 32, Columbus, forgery and attempted theft
• Taryn Ohl, 27, Mansfield, forgery (five counts), misuse of credit cards (five counts), tampering with evidence, falsification, theft, receiving stolen property and possession of drugs
• Stacy Damron, 34, Columbus, forgery and attempted theft
• James Schaade, 25, Mansfield, breaking and entering
• Krystal Sawyer, 27, Mansfield, possession of cocaine
• Alyssa Whitcomb, 22, Perrysville, possession of cocaine
• Anthony Taylor Jr., 25, Mansfield, possession of cocaine and possession of heroin
• Kijuan Harris, 26, Mansfield, having weapons while under disability with forfeiture specification, receiving stolen property, falsification and possession of drugs
• Ernest Parks, 19, Mansfield, possession of heroin
• Darrell Hines, 47, Mansfield, domestic violence
• Jaques Lowry, 36, Mansfield, possession of cocaine
• Jessica Williams, 27, Mansfield, possession of heroin and falsification
• Anthony Ramsey, 36, Mansfield, failure of a sexually oriented offender to notify of change of address and attempted obstructing business
• Terrance Sautter, 38, Galion, breaking and entering, theft
• Darryl Taylor, 30, Mansfield, having weapons while under disability and receiving stolen property
• Margaret Konczak, 31, Lucas, receiving stolen property
• Jennifer Rodriguez, 41, Mansfield, receiving stolen property
• Thomas Murrell, 58, Mansfield, domestic violence
• Joseph Manley, 30, Mansfield, possession of heroin, aggravated possession of drugs and possession of drugs
• Joshua Poth, 31, Shelby, possession of heroin
• Charity May, 30, Sullivan, burglary and obstructing justice (two counts)
• Khayyam Young, 22, Mansfield, domestic violence
• Kevin Ware, 20, Mansfield, failure to comply with order or signal of police officer
• Thomas Ison, 31, Mansfield, trafficking in cocaine with forfeiture specification, trafficking in heroin with forfeiture specification, trafficking in heroin (two counts), possession of cocaine with forfeiture specification, possession of heroin with forfeiture specification, possession of heroin (two counts), possession of heroin with forfeiture specifications (2), possession of marijuana with forfeiture specifications (2), aggravated possession of drugs with forfeiture specifications (2) and possession of a controlled substance analog with forfeiture specifications (2)