CIRCLEVILLE, Ohio — It was a busy day of high-stakes legal proceedings at the Pickaway County Common Pleas Court on Wednesday, March 25, 2026. The Honorable Judge Matthew H. Chafin presided over a series of cases involving violent crimes, sexual misconduct, and significant drug offenses.
Below is a breakdown of the cases heard and the dispositions handed down by the court.
Violent Crimes & Sexual Misconduct
- Taashan A. Smith (29, Circleville): Smith faced serious charges of Kidnapping (F-1), Strangulation (F-3), and Aggravated Menacing (M-1). Following a plea agreement, Smith pled guilty to the strangulation and menacing charges, while the kidnapping charge was dismissed. His bond has been revoked, and a Pre-Sentence Investigation (PSI) has been ordered.
- Ryan A. Conrad, II (21, Circleville): Originally charged with Rape (F-1), Conrad pled guilty to an amended charge of Unlawful Sexual Conduct with a Minor (F-4). Additional charges of Gross Sexual Imposition and Importuning were dismissed. His bond was revoked, and sentencing is scheduled for May 6, 2026.
Drug Trafficking & Possession
- Kyle Caldwell (46, McArthur): Caldwell faced top-tier felony charges including Aggravated Trafficking and Aggravated Possession of Drugs (both F-1 with specifications). He pled guilty to the possession and failure to comply (F-3) charges. He was granted an O.R. (Own Recognizance) bond pending his sentencing on May 27, 2026.
- Tiara S. Thomas (29, Columbus): Following a PSI hearing for Possession of a Fentanyl-Related Compound (F-3), Thomas pled guilty. She was sentenced to 3 years of Intervention in Lieu of Conviction (ILC). If she violates the terms, she faces an 18-month prison sentence.
- Alyssa Kay Meadows (34, Sedalia): Meadows entered a Not Guilty plea to charges of Aggravated Possession of Drugs (F-2) and Illegal Conveyance of Drugs into a Detention Facility (F-3). A pretrial is set for April 9, 2026.
- Jerald L. Penrod (65, Chillicothe): Penrod pled guilty to Tampering with Evidence (F-3) and Possession of Cocaine (F-5). Charges of Illegal Conveyance were dismissed. He was released on an O.R. bond with sentencing set for April 29, 2026.
- Douglas S. Webster, JR.: A Capias (warrant for arrest) was issued for Webster after he failed to appear on a charge of Aggravated Possession of Drugs (F-3).
Traffic & Theft Offenses
- Jason A. Camacho (23, Stoutsville): Camacho pled not guilty to Aggravated Vehicular Assault (F-3), Vehicular Assault (F-4), and OVI (M-1). He was released on an O.R. bond with a 9 PM – 6 AM curfew. A pretrial is scheduled for April 9, 2026.
- James C. Howes (38, Waverly): Howes pled guilty to Grand Theft of a Motor Vehicle (F-4). He was sentenced to 9 months at the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction (ODRC), to be served concurrently with his current sentence.
- Robert D. Wamsley (55, Circleville): Wamsley admitted to a Violation of Probation. He was sentenced to 3 years of Community Control and ordered to complete the STAR program. If he fails to comply, he faces a total of 30 months in prison.
