MOUNT VERNON — Ten indictments were filed by a Knox County grand jury on Monday. Arraignments are scheduled for Aug. 21 in the Common Pleas Court before Judge Otho Eyster.
According to Knox County Prosecutor John Thatcher, Thomas H. Hartless, 35, Utica, was indicted on charges of kidnapping, abduction, aggravated menacing and domestic violence. Thatcher said in the evening of July 17, Hartless met his ex-girlfriend at a location in Newark, and then they drove together to a location in Knox County. After midnight on July 18, Hartless allegedly assaulted the woman, bound her wrists and ankles with duct tape, and then drove her to a location in Coshocton County. Hartless allegedly held the woman against her will for several hours before releasing her back in Newark. Thatcher said Hartless is currently being held in the Licking County Jail on a probation violation filed in the Licking County Municipal Court and on Knox County’s felony warrant.
Michael D. Fulk, 42, Howard, was indicted on counts of kidnapping and importuning for allegedly enticing a 15-year-old boy into a public restroom where he solicited the boy to engage in sexual activity with him, on June 29. He was convicted of aggravated rape in the Knox County Common Pleas Court, on Sept. 12, 1988. Fulk served a 20-year prison term, according to Thatcher. Fulk is being held in the Knox County Jail on a $75,000 bond.
Jeffrey D. Galbraith, 41, Mount Vernon, is charged with burglary, sexual battery and gross sexual imposition for allegedly entering a woman’s residence, at about 1 a.m. on May 2, and then engaging in sexual conduct with her while she was sleeping. Thatcher said the woman ran to a friend’s home after she woke up and realized what was happening.
Beau Ashley, 27, Mount Vernon, is accused of aggravated burglary and felonious assault for allegedly entering a residence after midnight on July 7, and striking a woman over the head with a flashlight. Thatcher said the woman was transported to a Columbus hospital for treatment of the head injury she sustained. Ashley has been held in the Knox County Jail on a $75,000 bond since the day of the incident, according to Thatcher.
Shaun J. Ward, 23, Mount Vernon, faces a charge of felonious assault for allegedly striking a 32-year-old male victim with a rake handle on High Street, Fredericktown, in the afternoon of July 12. Thatcher said the victim lost consciousness and was treated at the hospital for a head injury.
Alocious T. Alexander, 52, Mount Vernon, is accused of having a weapon under disability. Thatcher said at about 2:45 a.m. on July 19, Alexander was allegedly caught by the Mount Vernon Police Department with a .25-caliber, semi-automatic handgun, while MVPD was responding to a disturbance call on North Mulberry Street. According to the indictment, Alexander was convicted of assaulting a peace officer in the Crawford County Common Pleas Court, on May 21, 1997. Thatcher said Alexander may not possess a firearm due to this conviction for a felony offense of violence.
At about 2 a.m. on July 7, Hershel R. Jones III, 25, Mount Vernon, was observed by a Knox County Sheriff’s Office deputy, allegedly trying to dispose of a stolen motorcycle, on Pittsburgh Avenue. Jones is accused of receiving stolen property.
Between June 1 and Aug. 21, Kathryn A. Wright, 53, allegedly stole $3,000 worth of lottery tickets from her former gas station employer.
Ryan S. Wise, 32, Mount Vernon, is charged with passing two bad checks totaling over $1,200 on Oct. 3 and 10, 2008.
Between May 29 and June 8, Matthew L. Shand, 26, Mount Vernon, allegedly forged seven checks and received funds exceeding $2,500 without the permission of the account holder. Thatcher said Shand allegedly attempted to cash two other checks in the amount of $1,000, but the checks were refused for payment. Shand is accused of eight counts of forgery and theft.
