The Richland County Grand Jury indicted 60 people during its May session earlier this month, including indictments involving methamphetamine, arson and murder.
Demetrius Lyles, 23, of Mansfield was indicted on charges of murder with firearm specification, aggravated murder with firearm specification, tampering with evidence, having weapons while under disability, illegal possession of a firearm in a liquor permit premises, and carrying a concealed weapon. The two murder charges are felonies of the first degree, which carry with them potential penalties of 15-20 years to life. Carrying a concealed weapon is a felony of the fourth degree, which carries a maximum of 18 months, and the other three charges are felonies of the third degree, which carry a maximum of three years. The firearm specifications of the murder charges also carry a mandatory three-year sentence.
According to Assistant Prosecutor Deborah Woodward, the charges stem from events that occurred on March 1, 2014 at the Secretz Bar located at 261 Bowman Street.
“On that date, it is alleged that Demetrius Lyles shot and killed Lawrence Butler Junior,” said Woodward.
In a previous Richland Source story, Lyles turned himself into the NOVFT (Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force) and Mansfield Police Officers. It was detailed that Mansfield Crime Lab Technician Cindy Reed recovered at least three bullets embedded in the wall of the bar. Crime Lab Director Tony Tambasco processed the scene for other evidence. Over 90 patrons were believed to be inside the bar when the shooting occurred.
Woodward said prosecutors know what Lyles claims to have prompted the shooting.
“The defendant indicated he believed the victim was flashing gang signs at him,” she said. “He also claims there was some other interaction between the two of them, an unreported pistol whipping a month earlier.” Lyles claims to have been the victim of the alleged pistol whipping.
Two Mansfield residents were indicted with charges relating to the manufacture of methamphetamine. Alexander Dickson, 29, of Mansfield was indicted for the illegal manufacturing of methamphetamine, illegal assembly or possession of chemicals for the manufacture of methamphetamine, and four counts of endangering children. Woodward explained each count of endangering children was for a different child found in the residence.
Courtney Copley, 30, of Mansfield was indicted for similar charges, but charged with aiding and abetting the manufacturing of methamphetamine and the illegal assembly or possession of chemicals for the manufacture of methamphetamine. She was also indicted for four counts of endangering children.
Woodward stated on April 21, 2014 officers of the Mansfield Police Department went to the residence of Dickson at 584 West Fourth Street with a search warrant, and located inside the residence numerous items involved in the manufacture of methamphetamine. There was some speculation of whether a deceased child was found inside the residence, but Woodward stated the charges had nothing to do with that.
“This case has nothing to do with the death of a child; this case has to do with items involved in the manufacture of methamphetamine being found,” she said.
Olivia Smith, 58, of Mansfield was indicted for four counts of aggravated arson, attempted voluntary manslaughter, attempted aggravated murder, two counts of attempted reckless homicide and endangering children. Woodward stated the charges stem from a fire that occurred late in the evening on Saturday, March 1, 2014 and into the early morning of Sunday, March 2, 2014. The fire occurred at 511 ½ South Main Street.
Three of Smith’s aggravated arson charges are charged as felonies of the first degree with a maximum potential prison time of 11 years. The fourth aggravated arson charge was charged as a felony of the second degree, with a maximum potential prison time of eight years.
“The fourth count alleges the defendant by means of fire or explosion did knowingly cause physical harm to an occupied structure,” said Woodward. “The other three counts of aggravated arson are charged differently.”
John Slone, 41, of Mansfield was indicted for eight counts of rape, felonies of the first degree, and eight counts of sexual battery, felonies of the third degree. Woodward explained the charges stem from events that occurred between April 1, 2011 and June 1, 2013.
“All counts relate to the same victim,” said Woodward. “All the rape counts according to the indictment allege sexual conduct and compelling the other person to submit by force or threat of force. The sexual battery charges all allege sexual conduct, also.”
In addition, the following people were also indicted by the Richland County Grand Jury: Seth Gardner, 34, aggravated robbery; Christopher Short, 29, Lexington, domestic violence (seven counts), rape (two counts) and abduction; Kenneth Cerklefskie, 33, robbery (four counts); Kendal Boolman, 24, aggravated possession of drugs with forfeiture specification;Christine Smith, 48, possession of heroin and trafficking in heroin; Mallory Brooks, 26, possession of heroin; Calvin France, 33, assault on a peace officer, obstructing official business (two counts), domestic violence (two counts) and disrupting public service.
Zachery Puckett, 31, Attica, was charged with possession of heroin; Steven Sanderfer, 23, possession of cocaine with forfeiture specification; Shannon Johnson, 28, Lexington, breaking and entering, theft from an elderly or disabled adult; Craig Henry, 26, breaking and entering, theft from an elderly or disabled adult; Anthony Whicker, 30, breaking and entering, theft from an elderly or disabled adult; Jabrell Windham, 25, having weapons while under disability with forfeiture specification, domestic violence, assault on a peace officer and obstructing official business; and Kyle Presley, 33, St. Clairsville, possession of heroin, burglary (five counts).
The indictments continued for Stephen Wierbiki, 25, aggravated possession of drugs; Rebecca Blevins, 28, theft; Je’lousvon Gray, 21, possession of cocaine; Chastity Jones, 24, Shelby, identity fraud, misuse of credit cards and forgery (four counts); Anthony Ramsey, 36, failure of a sexually oriented offender to notify of change of address; Stephen Fodor, 34, Brownstown, Mich., identity fraud (two counts); Jason Mascellino, 27, Middleburg Heights, possession of cocaine; Ryan Williams, 28, Shelby, theft of firearms (eight counts); Richard Fisher, 32, nonsupport of dependents (three counts); Rory Hamm, 44, possession of heroin; Zachery Murray, 24, Burbank, possession of heroin; Joshua Parsons, 33, theft.
The remaining indictments included Jesse Buchanan, 36, possession of cocaine with forfeiture specification and trafficking in cocaine with forfeiture specification; Brett Westfield, 23, trafficking in heroin in the vicinity of a school zone and/or juvenile with forfeiture specification, possession of heroin with forfeiture specification; Noel Huntington, 25, Lexington, theft and tampering with records; Christina Brauchler, 39, possession of heroin; Patricia Casey, 33, Ontario, possession of cocaine; LB Williams, 49, possession of cocaine; Jennifer Hankins, 31, obstructing justice; Malcolm Bounds-Davison, 20, possession of cocaine; Robert Ramsey, 32, Cleveland, trafficking in heroin (two counts); Steven Hall, 39, tampering with evidence; Traff Brauchler, 42, breaking and entering, theft; Ronnie Nicholas, 36, breaking and entering (two counts), tampering with a coin machine (two counts) and possession of criminal tools (two counts); Anthony Brown Jr., 29, breaking and entering (two counts), tampering with a coin machine (two counts) and possession of criminal tools (two counts); Christopher Murray, 41, domestic violence; Michelle Lyons, 36, Lexington, possession of heroin; Justin Morgan, 27, Castalia, possession of heroin; Andrew Parise, 21, Columbus, possession of marijuana and trafficking in marijuana; Jermaine Bailey, 21, possession of marijuana with forfeiture specification and trafficking in marijuana with forfeiture specification; Marcus Vickers, 27, Akron, possession of marijuana with forfeiture specification and trafficking in marijuana with forfeiture specification; Tayamarie Jordan, 24, possession of cocaine; Michael Walker, 64, possession of marijuana; Doug Holmes, 41, possession of cocaine; Holly Miller, 34, Plymouth, aggravated possession of drugs; Jared Beverly, 23, aggravated possession of drugs; Brian Foulks, 27, breaking and entering; Megan Gill, 26, obstructing justice (two counts); Michael Taylor, 18, Columbus, carrying a concealed weapon and improperly handling firearms in a motor vehicle; Brenden Betz, 20, Magnolia, possession of marijuana and trafficking in marijuana; and Scott Oslie, 58, Grafton, operating a casino (three counts), gambling (three counts) and possessing criminal tools.
