PICKAWAY COUNTY, Ohio — What began as a routine motorist assistance response along US-23 in Pickaway County turned into a multi-agency operation on Sunday morning, November 1, resulting in domestic violence charges, drug seizures, and the arrest of two wanted individuals.
At approximately 9:12 a.m., Deputy Bryan VanGundy was dispatched to US-23 near Red Dog Trailers after reports of an individual waving at passing traffic near a disabled white sedan. Upon turning around to investigate, Deputy VanGundy found a woman, who stated the vehicle had run out of gasoline.
Inside the back seat, deputies observed an unrestrained 2-year-old child eating pizza among foam padding, pillows, and loose items filling the car. She explained the toddler was out of his car seat because she was preparing to change his diaper.
Domestic Violence Investigation & Uncovered Warrants
As dispatch verified the vehicle’s registration—which the driver, Shawn Jordan, admitted to printing at a local library—officers received an alert connecting the car to an earlier domestic violence call.
When questioned away from the vehicle, She reported that Jordan had grabbed, hit, and bitten her during a prior dispute. Deputy VanGundy observed a fresh bite wound on her right hand and an abrasion on her left elbow.
During the encounter, dispatch alerted officers that both Langston and Jordan had active warrants out for their arrest. Langston was placed under arrest without further incident.
Vehicle Search, Drug Seizures, and Agitated Driver
After Jordan consented to a search of the vehicle, he admitted to possessing marijuana. Deputies discovered that three of the four doors on the heavily damaged sedan were broken or non-functional.
Inside the cluttered interior, deputies located:
- A jar of marijuana and digital scales
- A full-tang knife on the front driver’s side floorboard
- A container of concentrated cannabis (“dabs”) in the center console
- Multiple partially smoked and wrapped marijuana cigarettes near the dash and steering wheel
During the vehicle search, deputies had to intervene when the toddler was seen holding a canister of marijuana from inside the car.
While in custody in the rear of a cruiser, Jordan became combative, kicking the vehicle door and threatening officers. He later calmed down after being informed that Pickaway County Children Services was contacting family members to safely assume custody of the 2-year-old child.
Charges and Corrections
Langston was transferred to the custody of the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office at the county line to address her outstanding warrant.
Jordan was transported to the Pickaway County Jail. He was cited for driving an unsafe vehicle, fictitious license plates, and failure to register tags, alongside initial charges of domestic violence, drug possession, and possession of drug paraphernalia.
On November 2, Detective Daniel Rubio adjusted Jordan’s primary domestic violence charge from a felony with prior convictions to a first-degree misdemeanor after confirming through the Franklin County Clerk of Courts that Jordan’s pending domestic violence case involved an active bench warrant rather than a prior conviction.
The vehicle was impounded at the Pickaway County Sheriff’s Office as the investigation concluded.
