MOUNT VERNON — A Frazeysburg man, who allegedly shot at an Ohio Department of Wildlife officer, has been indicted by a Knox County grand jury on three charges, including a felony drug charge.
On the night of Sept. 11, Robert A. Kirkland, 32, allegedly fired a shot from a .45-caliber handgun at a Division of Wildlife vehicle parked in a field near his residence. In the early morning hours of Sept. 12, the Knox County Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant at Kirkland’s residence where officers allegedly found an indoor marijuana growing operation.
Kirkland is accused of felonious assault, intimidation of a peace officer and illegal possession of chemicals for the manufacture of drugs.
Wildlife Officer Michael Miller and Detective David Light, KCSO, investigated the case.
According to Knox County Prosecutor John Thatcher, brothers Roy V. Burkett, 32, and Ray L. Burkett Sr., 36, are accused of manufacturing methamphetamine in their Fredericktown residence on Aug. 26. The Burketts face charges of illegal manufacture of drugs, illegal assembly or possession of chemicals for the manufacture of drugs and endangering children because a 10-year-old child allegedly lived in the home. Patrolman Nick Holdren, Fredericktown Police Department, investigated the case assisted by Capt. David Shaffer, Knox County Sheriff’s Office.
Robert P. Wright, 31, Fredericktown, faces charges of trafficking in marijuana, illegal cultivation of marijuana, illegal possession of chemicals for the manufacture of drugs and aggravated possession of drugs. Thatcher said Wright is accused of selling marijuana, on July 1, 15 and Aug. 11, and of having an indoor marijuana growing operation and Oxycodone pills in his residence on Aug. 11.
James A. Waulk, 36, Mount Vernon, also faces a charge of illegal possession of chemicals for the manufacture of drugs in connection with an indoor marijuana operation allegedly found in his residence, on Sept. 14.
Detective Doug Turpen, KCSO, investigated the Wright and Waulk cases.
Anthony M. Rodriguez, 22, is accused of receiving stolen property in connection with the theft of a 2003 Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck on Sept. 16. Trooper Paul Shore, Ohio State Highway Patrol, allegedly found Rodriguez in possession of the stolen truck during a traffic stop for alleged drunk driving.
Shortly after midnight on Sept. 18, Martin G. Oswald, 54, Centerburg, was pulled over by Deputy Brandon Minot, KCSO, on Ohio 3 near Centerburg. Oswald was allegedly intoxicated, and he had a loaded .45-caliber handgun on the front passenger seat hidden under some items. Thatcher said Oswald is charged with carrying a concealed weapon and improperly handling a firearm in a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol, drugs or both.
Rodney L. Carpenter, 42, Fredericktown, allegedly stole over $100,000 from a 78-year-old victim during a two-year time period, between November 2008 and December 2010. Carpenter faces theft from the elderly charges. Lt. Gary Rohler, KCSO, and Knox County Adult Protective Services investigated the case.
On three occasions in May, Melissa A. Horlacher, 27, Mount Vernon, allegedly passed bad checks totaling $900 at three stores in Mount Vernon.
On Aug. 22, Holly R. Frost, 25, and Wade I. Estock, 22, Mount Vernon, allegedly passed an $850 bad check at a local bank.
Horlacher, Frost and Estock face passing bad check charges. The Horlacher case was investigated by Patrolman Justin Trowbridge and the Frost and Estock cases were investigated by Detective Cpl. Matt Dailey, Mount Vernon Police Department.
Arraignments are scheduled for Sept. 30, at 9 a.m., before Knox County Common Pleas Court Judge Otho Eyster.