MOUNT VERNON — An Apple Valley resident was indicted on Monday after authorities discovered a meth lab in his home last month.
According to Knox County Prosecutor John Thatcher, Russell C. Friend, 37, Howard, faces several charges in connection with the discovery of an alleged methamphetamine lab in his residence on October 27. Thatcher said Friend is accused of illegal assembly or possession of chemicals for the manufacture of drugs and two counts of endangering children since two children were at the home at the time of the alleged offense. Rohler and Detective Doug Turpen, KCSO, investigated the case.
Chase G. McMillen, 39, Sunbury, was indicted on charges of aggravated burglary and felonious assault for allegedly breaking into a Centerburg residence and assaulting a 57-year-old male resident in the early morning hours of Nov. 5. Thatcher said the alleged victim was hospitalized for his injuries.
Lt. Gary Rohler, Knox County Sheriff’s Office, investigated the case.
Amanda D. Freed, 24, Mount Vernon, is accused of robbing a Mount Vernon pizza shop on April 19, 2010. Thatcher said a recent tip led investigators to Freed. Detective Cpl. Matt Dailey, MVPD, investigated the case.
James E. McCoy, 37, allegedly robbed a Mount Vernon jewelry store on Oct. 19. Patrolman Mike Wheeler, MVPD, investigated the case. McCoy was also charged with burglary, theft of a check and forgery for allegedly breaking into a Columbus Road residence, stealing a blank check and then forging the check at a local bank on July 30. Detective Sgt. Roger Brown, KCSO, investigated the incident in July.
B.J. Coleman, 41, and Roy Reynolds, 63, both of Columbus, face charges of breaking into a Mount Vernon fraternal organization in the early morning hours of Oct. 28. Sgt. Troy Glazier caught the two men after they exited the building. Coleman and Reynolds are also charged with possessing criminal tools used in the alleged break-in.
Daniel Z. Goudy, 21, Danville, and Melvin R. Yeatman, III, Mount Vernon, allegedly broke into a garage on Frost Alley in the early morning of Oct. 26. Deputy Mike Rutherford and Sgt. John Rine, KCSO, responded to the location and arrested the two men with the assistance of Sgt. Glazier, MVPD.
John C. W. Posey, was indicted on theft and receiving stolen property charges for allegedly pawning a stolen gold watch and gold rings on Sept. 17. Deputy Tim Light, KCSO, investigated the case.
Raymond R. Wolf, II, 21, Walhonding, faces rape and gross sexual imposition charges as the result of an incident with a 17-year-old female on Dec. 16, 2010. Wolf allegedly engaged in sexual conduct with the victim by force or threat of force. Detective Tom Bumpus, KCSO, investigated the case.
According to the indictment, Ronald D. Hoyt, 46, was convicted of annoying/ molesting children, in California. As a sex offender, Hoyt is required to register his address with the Knox County Sheriff’s Office. Hoyt allegedly failed to register a change of address on about Sept. 16, and he is charged with failure to provide change of address. Thatcher said a warrant to arrest Hoyt was filed with the indictment. Deputy Dan Selby and Brown handled the investigation.
Following up on a tip, Detective David Light and Knox County Sheriff’s deputies discovered over 200 alleged marijuana plants growing on Johnson Max Smith’s property on Aug. 31. Smith, 51, Mount Vernon, was indicted on a charge of illegal cultivation of marijuana.
James A. Waulk, 36, Mount Vernon, was indicted in September on a charge of illegal assembly or possession of chemicals for the manufacture of drugs due to the discovery of an alleged indoor marijuana grow at his residence. Waulk now faces additional charges including illegal cultivation of marijuana, trafficking in marijuana, and two counts of aggravated possession of drugs. Thatcher said crime lab tests revealed that Waulk allegedly possessed Psilocyn mushrooms and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), a compound extracted from marijuana responsible for its psychoactive effect. Turpen investigated the case.
Robert A. Kirkland, 32, was also indicted in September on a charge of illegal assembly or possession of chemicals for the manufacture of drugs due to the discovery of an alleged indoor marijuana grow at his residence. Kirkland now faces an additional charge of illegal cultivation of marijuana. Light investigated the case.
Benjamin L. Gordon, 24, Columbus, allegedly possessed Oxycodone tablets and other prescription pills individually packaged for distribution the night of Feb. 25. Sgt. James Burkhart, Ohio State Highway Patrol, seized the pills when Gordon allegedly dropped them during a foot pursuit. Gordon is charged with aggravated trafficking in drugs and aggravated possession of drugs. Thatcher said a warrant was issued for Gordon’s arrest.
Court records show James C. Wright, 32, Sandusky, allegedly failed to pay any child support for his two children, between June 1, 2009 and June 1, 2011. Thatcher said the charges of failure to pay child support against Wright are felonies because of the two-year time period. The Knox County Child Support Enforcement Agency handled the case.
Arraignments are scheduled for Nov. 18, before Knox County Common Pleas Court Judge Otho Eyster.
