MIFFLIN TOWNSHIP — A 39-year-old Mansfield man has been charged in connection with the Thursday evening death of a 26-year-old man in Mifflin Township.
Ashland County Prosecuting Attorney Christopher R. Tunnell announced Friday afternoon that charges have been filed against Joseph F. Doering, of Mansfield, in Ashland County Common Pleas Court following the death of Brandon N. Sheaffer, of Mifflin.
Doering has been charged with reckless homicide, a third-degree felony, and possession of methamphetamine, a fifth-degree felony, Tunnell stated.
The charges state that Doering “recklessly caused the death of Sheaffer during an incident in which the parties were allegedly engaged in methamphetamine use and other high-risk behavior,” the release said.
Detectives reportedly discovered methamphetamine and additional evidence inside the residence during the investigation.
Doering was taken into custody Friday afternoon and remains incarcerated at the Ashland County Jail. A bond hearing has been scheduled for 8:30 a.m. on Monday, Feb. 23 before the Ashland
County Common Pleas Court.
An Ashland County grand jury is expected to review the matter for consideration of any
additional charges at a later date, the release stated.
The Ashland County Prosecutor’s Office reminds the public that a charge is merely an
accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
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Report of ‘unresponsive’ person made at 5:04 p.m. Thursday
At approximately 5:04 p.m. Thursday, emergency services from the Mifflin Township Fire Department, Mifflin Village Police Department and the Ashland County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to 39 Maine St. in reference to an unresponsive person.
First responders arrived on the scene and located Sheaffer, who was lying unconscious and unresponsive inside the residence, according to the release.
Life-saving measures were initiated, but Sheaffer did not survive.
The Ashland County Coroner’s Office has not yet determined the official cause and manner of death and the investigation remains ongoing.
Agencies assisting in the investigation include: Ashland County Sheriff’s Office, Mifflin
Police Department, Ashland Police Department, Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District, Mifflin Fire Department (Ashland), Mifflin Fire Department (Richland), Ashland County Coroner’s Office, Ohio Attorney General’s Bureau of Criminal Investigation and the Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner’s Office.
Ashland County Sheriff Kurt Schneider said Friday that there are no immediate safety concerns for county residents.
Below is the full press release issued Friday afternoon by Ashland County Prosecuting Attorney Christopher R. Tunnell.