MANSFIELD — A man with ties to the cities of Mansfield and Shelby faces a possible life sentence related to alleged sexual assaults committed for more than a year.
Earl Whipple, 50, has been indicted on 63 charges by a Richland County grand jury — which include rape and sexual battery among others.
Richland County Prosecutor Jodie Schumacher told Richland Source Whipple is alleged to have sexually assaulted a juvenile over an 18-month period.
“We would argue the child is being systematically, sexually assaulted over a large course of time,” she said. “Based on the actions that have been described to us, we’ve charged within certain date frames and such.”
Schumacher said the juvenile victim is younger than 13 years old — so a life prison sentence is a possibility for Whipple if convicted on rape counts.
The alleged incidents occurred in Richland County from June 2017 through December 2018, she added.
Whipple had an outstanding warrant after fleeing the state — but was apprehended by law enforcement and brought back to Ohio to face his current charges, Schumacher said.
Hoffer charged with aggravated vehicular homicide
Clyde Hoffer, 41, faces multiple indictments, including aggravated vehicular homicide, vehicular homicide and vehicular manslaughter.
Hoffer was involved in a July 2022 motor vehicle accident which ultimately killed one victim. The accident occurred near mile post 11 along State Route 430.
“The victim had passed due to injuries and complications from that accident,” Schumacher said, adding Hoffer is alleged to have had issues with his driver’s license at the time.
If convicted, Hoffer’s charges will likely merge, she said, explaining the defendant’s maximum sentence could range from 90 days to 8 years — depending on the jury’s decision.
Schumacher added Hoffer’s felony charges include a license suspension.
Vehicular homicide, a second-degree felony, can include up to a lifetime suspension — which the court is required to impose, she said.
Friesner faces up to 72 years behind bars
Khyle Friesner, 33, faces 20 charges, including kidnapping and felonious assault among others.
According to Schumacher, Friesner has been accused of abducting a woman and her two children in Bellville for several days.
Allegations against him allegedly occurred from Nov. 24 through Nov. 28, 2023, she said.
“It’s alleged the victim, the adult, was able to escape and drive away with the children,” Schumacher said. “She saw an opportunity to leave (and) she was able to get out and pulled over at a gas station.”
“At that time, it just happened that a law enforcement officer was close by and observed her. Just from his (officer’s) observations (he) knew that there had been a serious assault and from there the investigation continued.”
Friesner faces a maximum sentence of 72 years in prison, Schumacher added.
March grand jury indictments
— Seth Walter Hinton, 25, illegal conveyance of drugs of abuse onto the grounds of a specified governmental facility, aggravated possession of drugs, possession of a fentanyl-related compound
— Kathy Swartz, 65, aggravated possession of drugs (two counts)
— Heather Layne, 44, aggravated possession of drugs
— Alonzo Bryant, 34, possession of cocaine
— David Mroczka, 20, failure to comply with an order or signal of a police officer
— Shawn Sydnor, 33, trafficking in cocaine (two counts), possession of cocaine
— Clyde Hoffer, 41, aggravated vehicular homicide, vehicular homicide, vehicular manslaughter
— Matthew Holbrook, 39, having weapons while under disability, firearm specification, forfeiture specification
— Mazzarney Hardy, 34, strangulation (two counts), domestic violence
— Scott Schroer, 43, attempted burglary, menacing
— Kenneth Harris, 21, improperly handling firearms in a motor vehicle, forfeiture specification, trafficking in cocaine, firearm specification, possession of cocaine, firearm specification, aggravated trafficking in drugs, firearm specification, aggravated possession of drugs, firearm specification
— Jordan Bowman, 22, strangulation, domestic violence
— Khyle Friesner, 33, kidnapping (three counts), felonious assault (three counts), attempted felonious assault (three counts), abduction (three counts), permitting child abuse (two counts), strangulation (three counts), domestic violence (three counts)
— Samantha McMillen, 34, obstructing official business, endangering children (four counts)
April grand jury indictments
— Edward Walker, 41, burglary, trespass in a habitation when a person is present or likely to be present, tampering with evidence, menacing by stalking (three counts), disrupting public service, telecommunications harassment
— Leanna Kidwell, 25, illegal conveyance of drugs of abuse onto the grounds of a specified governmental facility (four counts), aggravated trafficking in drugs (three counts), trafficking in drugs, aggravated possession of drugs (three counts), possession of drugs, endangering children
— Sarah Davis, 37, illegal conveyance of drugs of abuse onto the grounds of a specified governmental facility, aggravated possession of drugs
— Kayla Schaade, 35, possession of cocaine, possession of drugs
— Cholean Mullins, 31, trafficking in cocaine (three counts), possession of cocaine (three counts)
— William Hayes, 28, illegal conveyance of drugs of abuse onto the grounds of a specified governmental facility, possession of a fentanyl-related compound
— Ashlee West, 36, aggravated possession of drugs, obstructing official business
— Bradley Lablanc, 39, operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol, improperly handling a firearm in a motor vehicle, forfeiture specification, carrying a concealed weapon, forfeiture specification
— Earl Whipple, 50, rape (36 counts), attempted rape (18 counts), attempted rape specifications (36), sexual battery (three counts), gross sexual imposition (three counts), kidnapping, sexual motivation specification, intimidation of an attorney, victim or witness in a criminal case, endangering children, aggravated possession of drugs (separate offense)
— Travis Cole, 32, harassment with a bodily substance (two counts), assault
— Bruce Lozier, 34, possession of cocaine
— Gary Gerhart, 41, possession of a fentanyl-related compound (four total counts — which stem from three separate cases), trafficking in heroin (two counts), trafficking in a fentanyl-related compound (two counts), possession of heroin (two counts)
— Curtis Campbell Jr., 42, aggravated possession of drugs
— William Butler, 58, theft (two counts), forgery (two counts)
— Kerria Shears, 56, theft (two counts), identity fraud, misuse of credit cards
— Ashley Brinker-Smith, 34, illegal conveyance of drugs of abuse onto the grounds of a specified governmental facility, possession of a fentanyl-related compound
— Melissa Wright, 47, illegal conveyance of drugs of abuse onto the grounds of a specified governmental facility, aggravated possession of drugs
— Chad Fromm, 28, burglary (two counts), trespass in a habitation when a person is present or likely to be present, misdemeanor theft
— Kareem Redvine, 44, possession of cocaine
— Mark Morgan, 57, burglary
— Aaron Yeager, 33, having weapons while under disability, forfeiture specification
— Justin Brownfield, 38, possession of cocaine
— Tracey Carter, 63, vandalism (two counts), tampering with coin machines, petty theft
— Lisa Strong, 39, possession of heroin
— Ethan Parker, 25, assault
— Christopher Chinn, 38, attempted tampering with evidence, possession of a fentanyl-related compound
— Isaiah Savage, 19, improperly handling firearms in a motor vehicle, forfeiture specification, carrying a concealed weapon, forfeiture specification, resisting arrest
— Austin Cox, 26, aggravated possession of drugs
— Telly Gray, 49, escape (two counts)
— Tammy Williams, 45, escape
— Eric Rickard, 42, aggravated possession of drugs