CIRCLEVILLE, Ohio — Proceedings were held on Wednesday, September 2, 2026, in the Pickaway County Court of Common Pleas before the Honorable Judge Matthew H. Chafin. Several individuals faced hearings regarding charges ranging from felony drug possession and burglary to probation violations.
Prison Sentences & Probation Terminations
- Christopher W. Hiser, 40, currently housed at the Pickaway County Jail, appeared for a probation violation hearing. Hiser admitted to the violation, resulting in the unsuccessful termination of his community control. He was ordered to serve an 18-month prison sentence for fourth-degree felony grand theft of a motor vehicle and a concurrent 12-month sentence for fifth-degree felony vandalism. His term will be served concurrently with a sentence out of Greene County through the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction (ODRC).
Guilty Pleas & Future Sentencings
- Allysia A. Moore, 42, of the Pickaway County Jail, pleaded guilty to four fifth-degree felony counts, including possession of cocaine, aggravated possession of drugs, and two additional counts of drug possession. Her sentencing hearing is scheduled for September 30, 2026.
- Jason H. Johnson, 47, of the Pickaway County Jail, pleaded guilty to an amended count of trespass in a habitation (a fourth-degree felony, amended down from first-degree felony aggravated burglary). Related charges of assault and domestic violence were addressed as part of the proceedings. His sentencing hearing is set for September 30, 2026.
Community Control & Presentence Investigations
- Vernon R. Lemaster, 34, of the Pickaway County Jail, appeared for a presentence investigation hearing and was placed on three years of community control. He faces an 18-month prison sentence if he violates conditions.
- Matthew L. Bickers, 43, of Circleville, was placed on three years of community control following a presentence investigation hearing.
- Travis Jackson Tate, 43, of Circleville, was placed on three years of community control following a presentence investigation hearing.
- Andrew Reeves, 18, of the Department of Youth Services (DYS) in Circleville, was placed on three years of community control following a presentence investigation hearing.
- Chad C. Mumaw, 49, of Circleville, admitted to a probation violation during a hearing. Judge Chafin ordered his three-year community control to continue.
- Jett Lee Vu, 23, of the Pickaway County Jail, was granted judicial release during a hearing and placed on three years of community control.
Pleas of Not Guilty, Competency, & Trials Set
- Tiffany T. Vu, of the Pickaway County Jail, entered a plea of not guilty to charges of third-degree felony tampering with evidence and fifth-degree felony possession of drugs. A pretrial hearing has been scheduled for October 8, 2026.
- David L. Schwalbauch, 45, of the Pickaway County Jail, is set to go to trial on September 28, 2026, for charges of third-degree felony burglary and first-degree misdemeanor theft.
- Marty Ray Dotson, Jr., 47, currently at the Madison Correctional Institution (MaCI) in London, Ohio, was found competent to stand trial following a medical report hearing. A jury trial has been set for December 14, 2026.
