Trish Bennett, Editor
CIRCLEVILLE – Of 72 people indicted in March in connection with a large drug ring between Columbus and Circleville, 52 have already been convicted and have been sentenced or are awaiting sentencing for the crimes.
A total of 20 people have already learned their fate in Pickaway County Common Pleas Court, with 32 still awaiting sentencing following pre-sentence investigations by the court. Many of the subjects have requested intervention in lieu of conviction, which will be decided at the time of sentencing.
Charges against 11 of the 72 suspects have been dismissed without prejudice at this time, meaning the same or amended charges could still be filed at a later date.
With one suspect now deceased, that leaves just eight cases waiting to be heard in court.
Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine announced the 72 indictments on March 27 at a press conference at the Circleville Police Department. DeWine said the upper and middle management of the ring had been selling heroin in Pickaway County like a pizza delivery business, setting up shop in various homes, taking orders by phone and delivering the drugs to buyers throughout the area.
The indictments were the result of an eight-month investigation initiated by Chief Wayne Gray and conducted by the Circleville Police Department and the Pickaway County Sheriff’s Office with the support of the Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) and the Ohio Attorney General’s Heroin Unit.
The following is the current status of the 72 cases in Pickaway County Common Pleas Court:
Upper Management suspects
1. Thomas M. Binkley II, 33, engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity and trafficking in cocaine. He was sentenced to a mandatory 11 years in state prison with an additional seven years suspended.
2. Jermaine C. Bozeman, 31, was charged with engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity, trafficking in cocaine and trafficking in heroin. He pleaded guilty Aug. 5 and will be sentenced following a pre-sentence investigation by the court.
3. David Caslin, 44, pleaded guilty to engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity and trafficking in cocaine. He was sentenced Aug. 12 to 11 years in state prison at Orient and a six-month driver’s license suspension.
4. Jessica Dodge, 34, pleaded guilty May 21 to engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity, trafficking in heroin and trafficking in cocaine. She was sentenced to eight years in state prison at Marysville and a six-month driver’s license suspension on June 24.
5. Dejon A. Dunning, 27, pleaded guilty to engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity and trafficking in cocaine. He was sentenced to 11 years in state prison at Orient and a six-month driver’s license suspension.
6. Reashawn Dunning, 30, engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity and drug trafficking. The status of his case could not be confirmed at time of publication.
7. Nicole Grambo, 35, pleaded guilty May 27 to her charges of engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity, trafficking in cocaine and trafficking in heroin. She was sentenced to four years in state prison at Marysville, plus an additional four years suspended, and five years of community control.
8. Reuben Joyner, engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity, two counts of trafficking in cocaine and two counts of trafficking in heroin. The status of his case could not be confirmed at time of publication.
9. Erica D. Moretti, 26, engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity and trafficking in cocaine. She was sentenced to a mandatory 11 years in state prison with an additional five years suspended.
10. Andrew E. Swift, 45, engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity, two counts of trafficking in cocaine and two counts of trafficking in heroin. A jury trial was continued and is now set for Sept. 14.
11. Anesha R. Swift, 25, engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity, two counts of trafficking in cocaine and one count of trafficking in heroin. She pleaded guilty to her charges May 28 and was sentenced July 15 to serve 16 years in state prison with 11 years mandatory.
Middle Management suspects
1. Rodney A. Evans, 47, now deceased. His case has been dismissed.
2. Elisa Leasure, 41, pleaded guilty July 15 to two counts of trafficking in cocaine, two counts of trafficking in heroin and one count of trafficking in drugs. She will be sentenced following a pre-sentence investigation by the court.
3. Arnold Pennington Jr., 35, trafficking in heroin and trafficking in cocaine. He was sentenced to 30 months in state prison on April 29. His sentence includes time for a charge of escape from a previous case.
4. Lindsey N. Pyle, 20, pleaded guilty Aug. 5 to trafficking in heroin and trafficking in cocaine. She was sentenced to three years of intervention.
5. Pamela S. Swift, 44, pleaded guilty Aug. 12 to three counts of trafficking in cocaine and one count of trafficking in heroin. She will be sentenced following a pre-sentence investigation by the court.
6. Betsy Vangundy, 22, trafficking in cocaine and trafficking in heroin. She pleaded guilty to both charges June 24 and filed a motion for treatment in lieu of conviction. She will be sentenced following a pre-sentence investigation by the court.
Customer/User suspects, each charged with possession of cocaine and/or heroin:
1. Mary Barton, 22, of Circleville, two counts of possession of heroin. Barton pleaded guilty to both charges June 24 and filed a motion for intervention in lieu of conviction July 2. She will be sentenced following a pre-sentence investigation by the court.
2. Julia Boyer, 45, of Circleville, two counts of possession of cocaine. She pleaded guilty on July 9 and filed a motion for intervention in lieu of conviction. She will be sentenced following a pre-sentence investigation by the court.
3. Terri N. Byrd, 24, of Circleville, one count of possession of cocaine and one count of possession of heroin. A warrant was issued after she failed to appear for a jury trial on July 9.
4. Donald E. Cassady, 44, of Orient, one count of possession of cocaine and one count of possession of heroin. He pleaded guilty July 15 to possession of cocaine and will be sentenced following a pre-sentence investigation by the court.
5. Mallory L. Cordell, 20, of Circleville, pleaded guilty May 27 to two counts of possession of heroin. She was sentenced to 30 days in the county jail and three years of intervention.
6. Elyse D. Craig, 25, of Circleville, pleaded guilty July 22 to two counts of possession of heroin. She was sentenced to three years of intervention and completion of a community-based correctional facility program.
7. Joshua T. Cross, 33, of Circleville, two counts of possession of heroin. He pleaded guilty to both counts on May 27 and filed a motion for treatment in lieu of conviction. He will be sentenced following a pre-sentence investigation by the court.
8. Roger C. Derr, 40, of Circleville, two counts of possession of heroin. He pleaded guilty to both counts on May 27 and was sentenced to 14 months in state prison at Orient and a six-month driver’s license suspension.
9. Gwen A. Draise, 37, of Stoutsville, two counts of possession of cocaine. She pleaded guilty to both counts and was sentenced to 11 months in state prison (suspended) and a six-month driver’s license suspension. She also must serve three years of community control and complete a community-based correctional facility program.
10. Sherri A. Evans, 45, of Circleville, two counts of possession of cocaine. An entry of dismissal without prejudice was filed May 20, which means the same or amended charges could be filed at a later date.
11. Michael S. Eversole, 27, of Circleville, pleaded guilty July 22 to one count possession of heroin and one count possession of cocaine. He will be sentenced following a pre-sentence investigation by the court.
12. Dustin A. Fausnaugh, 25, of Circleville, two counts of possession of cocaine. An entry of dismissal without prejudice was filed June 10, which means the same or amended charges could be filed at a later date.
13. Daniel K. Ferry, 54, of Williamsport, two counts of possession of heroin. An entry of dismissal without prejudice was filed May 27, which means the same or amended charges could be filed at a later date.
14. Amy K. Frazier, 36, of Circleville, pleaded guilty May 20 to two counts of possession of heroin. She was sentenced to 30 days in the county jail and three years of intervention.
15. Carey “Rocky” Gilpen Jr., 43, of Logan Street, Circleville, two counts of possession of cocaine. He pleaded guilty to the charges July 9 and will be sentenced following a pre-sentence investigation by the court.
16. Carey Gilpen III, 23, of Circleville, two counts of possession of cocaine. He pleaded guilty to both counts May 27 and filed a motion for treatment in lieu of conviction. He will be sentenced following a pre-sentence investigation by the court.
17. Harold D. Hamilton, 60, of Clarksburg, two counts of possession of cocaine. An entry of dismissal without prejudice was filed July 9, which means the same or amended charges could be filed at a later date.
18. Kenneth Hardman, 40, of Circleville, one count of possession of cocaine and one count of possession of heroin. An entry of dismissal without prejudice was filed May 27, which means the same or amended charges could be filed at a later date.
19. Rhonda Hardman, 42, of Circleville, one count of possession of cocaine and one count of possession of heroin. She pleaded guilty July 8 to possession of heroin and will be sentenced following a pre-sentence investigation by the court. She was arrested again Aug. 4 on a warrant for charges of possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of drug abuse instruments.
20. John F. Hill, 49, of Circleville, two counts of possession of cocaine. An entry of dismissal without prejudice was filed June 10, which means the same or amended charges could be filed at a later date.
21. Thomas B. Hunt, 47, of Circleville, two counts of possession of cocaine. An entry of dismissal without prejudice was filed June 29, which means the same or amended charges could be filed at a later date.
22. Christina A. Jenkins, 34, of Circleville, two counts of possession of cocaine. An entry of dismissal without prejudice was filed June 29, which means the same or amended charges could be filed at a later date.
23. Jason H. Johnson, 36, of Circleville, two counts of possession of cocaine. An entry of dismissal without prejudice was filed July 9, which means the same or amended charges could be filed at a later date.
24. Tyler A. Johnson, 23, of Circleville, pleaded guilty May 27 to two counts of possession of heroin. He was sentenced to three years of intervention.
25. Travis R. Kellough, 25, of Circleville, two counts of possession of heroin. He pleaded guilty to both charges May 6 and was sentenced to 14 months in state prison at Orient and a six-month driver’s license suspension.
26. Brian M. Kitchen, 23, of Circleville, two counts of possession of heroin. A jury trial is set for Aug. 20.
27. Jason P. Lambert, 41, of Circleville, pleaded guilty July 22 to two counts of possession of cocaine. He will be sentenced following a pre-sentence investigation by the court.
28. Malaine Lambiase, 26, of Circleville, two counts of possession of heroin. She pleaded guilty to both charges plus a violation of terms of intervention on April 16. She was sentenced to 18 months in state prison at Marysville and a six-month driver’s license suspension.
29. Nicole L. Leasure, 39, of Circleville, two counts of possession of cocaine. She pleaded guilty to one count July 15 and will be sentenced following a pre-sentence investigation by the court.
30. Bobby L. Lowry, 39, of Circleville, two counts of possession of cocaine. He is set for a plea hearing Aug. 18.
31. Cody S. McKibben, 24, of Circleville, two counts of possession of heroin. He pleaded guilty to one count July 15 and will be sentenced following a pre-sentence investigation by the court.
32. Rusti N. Neff, 28, of Circleville, two counts of possession of heroin. She pleaded guilty to one count July 15 and will be sentenced following a pre-sentence investigation by the court.
33. Timothy Neff Jr., 35, of Circleville, two counts of possession of cocaine. A jury trial is set for Aug. 20.
34. Bryan T. Parmer, 34, of Circleville, one count of possession of cocaine and one count of possession of heroin. Parmer also currently faces two unrelated counts of grand theft in Pickaway County Common Pleas Court. At a plea hearing June 17, Parmer pleaded guilty to one count of possession of heroin and one count of grand theft. He will be sentenced following a pre-sentence investigation by the court.
35. Michelle R. Parmer, 34, of Circleville, pleaded guilty July 22 to two counts of possession of cocaine. She will be sentenced following a pre-sentence investigation by the court.
36. Jaime D. Pennington, 38, of South Bloomfield, one count of possession of cocaine and one count of possession of heroin. She pleaded guilty to both counts July 1 and filed for intervention in lieu of conviction. She will be sentenced following a pre-sentence investigation by the court.
37. Carre L. Perkins, 49, of Laurelville, two counts of possession of heroin. She pleaded guilty to both counts June 24 and will be sentenced following a pre-sentence investigation by the court.
38. Kendra A. Queen, 25, of South Bloomfield, two counts of possession of heroin. She pleaded guilty to both counts June 24 and will be sentenced following a pre-sentence investigation by the court.
39. Jessica R. Quito, 31, of Circleville, pleaded guilty June 3 to two counts of possession of cocaine. She was sentenced to 30 days in the count jail and three years of intervention.
40. Philip A. Reichelderfer, 32, of Circleville, pleaded guilty Aug. 5 to two counts of possession of cocaine. He will be sentenced following a pre-sentence investigation by the court.
41. Carla J. Riffle, 42, of Circleville, two counts of possession of heroin. She pleaded guilty to one count July 1 and will be sentenced following a pre-sentence investigation by the court.
42. Doris Riffle, 81, of Circleville, one count of permitting drug abuse. An entry of dismissal without prejudice was filed June 29, which means the same or amended charges could be filed at a later date.
43. Renee S. Rittenhouse, 32, of Circleville, two counts of possession of cocaine. She pleaded guilty to both on June 11 and has filed a motion for intervention in lieu of conviction. She will be sentenced following a pre-sentence investigation by the court.
44. Heath Z. Rowland, 26, of Circleville, one count of possession of cocaine and one counts of possession of heroin. He pleaded guilty to both counts and was sentenced to two years in state prison and a six-month driver’s license suspension.
45. Shannon W. Schwalbauch, 40, of Circleville, pleaded guilty to possession of cocaine. He was sentenced to 18 months in state prison at Orient and a six-month driver’s license suspension.
46. Laurie L. Smith, 38, of Circleville, two counts of possession of cocaine. She pleaded guilty to both counts June 24 and filed for intervention in lieu of conviction. She will be sentenced following a pre-sentence investigation by the court.
47. Terra N. Smith, 38, of Circleville, two counts of possession of heroin. She pleaded guilty July 15 to one count of possession and one count of non-support of dependents. She will be sentenced following a pre-sentence investigation by the court.
48. John P. Sutton, 60, of Circleville, two counts of possession of cocaine. He pleaded guilty on June 17 and filed a motion for treatment in lieu of conviction. He will be sentenced following a pre-sentence investigation by the court.
49. Billie Jo Thompson, 38, of Circleville, two counts of possession of cocaine. A plea hearing and motion for intervention in lieu of conviction was held June 17, and her case was continued to Aug. 20.
50. Tamera J. Thornton, 55, of Circleville, one count of possession of cocaine and one count of possession of heroin. She pleaded guilty to both charges June 24 and filed a motion for intervention in lieu of conviction. She will be sentenced following a pre-sentence investigation by the court.
51. Mary A. Walker, 50, of Circleville, two counts of possession of cocaine. She pleaded guilty to both counts on June 24 and will be sentenced following a pre-sentence investigation by the court.
52. Christian Welsh, pleaded guilty Aug. 5 to two counts of possession of cocaine. He will be sentenced following a pre-sentence investigation by the court.
53. James H. Williams, 60, of Circleville, two counts of possession of cocaine. An entry of dismissal without prejudice was filed July 9, which means the same or amended charges could be filed at a later date.
54. Cassandra N. Young, 34, of Williamsport, two counts of possession of heroin. She pleaded guilty to both counts July 8 and will be sentenced following a pre-sentence investigation by the court.
55. William R. Young Jr., 37, of Circleville, pleaded guilty July 22 to two counts of possession of heroin, as well as breaking and entering and theft from the elderly from an unrelated case. He will be sentenced following a pre-sentence investigation by the court.
Editor’s Note: Case status is based on the most recent information available from the Pickaway County Common Pleas Court and may be subject to change.
This article originally appeared on The Pickaway News Journal
