MOUNT VERNON — Sixteen indictments were handed down by the May Knox County Grand Jury on May 2. Arraignments are scheduled for May 20 before Common Pleas Court Judge Otho Eyster.
According to Knox County Prosecutor John Thatcher, John L. Muncy, 36, was indicted on charges of burglary, possessing stolen property and stolen firearms, breaking and entering, arson, tampering with evidence and engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity. Thatcher said on Dec. 27, 2010, Muncy allegedly burglarized residences on Sycamore Road and Arrington Road, and on Dec. 31 he allegedly possessed miscellaneous stolen property including two shotguns, two rifles and a 1997 Ford truck. Muncy is accused of breaking into the Mount Vernon Police Department impound building and lot, on Jan. 4, 2011, where the stolen Ford truck was being held as evidence and then setting fire to the truck. Thatcher said the pattern of corrupt activity charge is a first-degree felony accusing Muncy of committing these crimes, in association with others, in order to support himself and the others. The ongoing Muncy investigation is being handled by Special Agent Joe Dietz, Ohio Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation. Muncy is currently being held in the Scioto County Jail on other felony charges.
Joshua C. Devore, 19, and Daniel J. Huffman, 24, both of Fredericktown, Rodney R. Sapp, 22, Bellville, and Tyler M. Tschantz, 20, Mount Vernon, all face charges of breaking and entering, receiving stolen property and possessing a stolen automobile for allegedly breaking into a garage in Fredericktown on March 23. Thatcher said miscellaneous tools and equipment and a 2001 Ford Excursion were stolen during the alleged break-in. Patrolman Nick Holdren, Fredericktown Police Department, investigated the case.
Joseph R. Thomas, 19, and Stephen L. Lanning, 19, both of Mount Vernon, are accused of grand theft and receiving stolen property for allegedly stealing over $10,000 worth of merchandise from a store in Mount Vernon on March 31. Thatcher said Thomas is also accused of breaking and entering for allegedly breaking into the store. Detective Sgt. Jeff Jacobs, MVPD, investigated the case.
Johney M. Payne, 24, and Neisha N. Payne, 23, both of Mount Vernon, face charges of theft from an elderly person, receiving stolen property and forgery for allegedly stealing blank checks from a 72-year-old relative. Thatcher said the pair allegedly forged the checks and cashed them in amounts totaling over $1,600. The Paynes are also accused of breaking into a Mount Vernon electrical supplies store and stealing a spool of copper tubing to sell for scrap. Detective Doug Turpen, Knox County Sheriff’s Office, investigated the case.
Jason K. Hutton, 30, Mount Vernon, was indicted on theft of check, forgery and passing bad check charges. On April 5, Hutton allegedly stole a check, forged the owner’s signature and cashed it for $300. Patrolman Mike Wheeler, MVPD, investigated the case.
Shawn P. Hamilton, 19, Danville, allegedly stole a credit card and forged the owner’s signature twice on March 8. Hamilton is accused of theft and two counts of forgery.
Michael T. Moore, 32, currently incarcerated at the Noble Correctional Institution, was indicted on two counts of possessing stolen firearms. Thatcher said between Aug. 1 and Nov. 30, 2010, Moore allegedly possessed a shotgun and a rifle stolen from a Mount Vernon resident.
Detective David McElroy, MVPD, investigated the Hamilton and Moore cases.
Zachary A. King, 19, Mount Vernon, was indicted on a charge of possessing stolen property for allegedly possessing stolen jewelry worth $1,500, between Oct. 25, 2010, and March 3, 2011. Patrolman Travis Tharp, MVPD, investigated the case.
Trooper Mason Boyce, State Highway Patrol, allegedly caught Angela M. Doup, 27, Mount Vernon, with heroin during a traffic stop on April 22.
Edward A. Tiemann, 19, Surprise, Ariz., allegedly sold Ritalin pills to a confidential informant working for the Knox County Sheriff’s Office, on April 20 and 26. Detective David Light investigated the case.
Jeffrey L. Smith, 19, Mount Vernon, is accused of unlawful sexual conduct with a minor for allegedly engaging in sexual conduct with a 13-year-old female, between January and April 4, 2011. Detective Sgt. Jeff Jacobs, MVPD, investigated the case.
