MOUNT VERNON — Thirteen indictments were handed down by the Knox County Grand Jury on Monday, according to Knox County Prosecutor John Thatcher. Ten of the indictments include drug trafficking and drug possession charges involving methamphetamine, heroin and cocaine.
William N. Strouse, 45, Mount Vernon, allegedly sold methamphetamine to a confidential informant working for the Mount Vernon Police Department on Jan. 16 and 18.
Charles M. Shannon, 35, allegedly sold methamphetamine to a confidential informant working for the MVPD on Jan. 16 and 25.
Scott C. Cosner, 26, allegedly sold heroin to a confidential informant on Jan. 26.
Steven E. Cole, 32, Mount Vernon, allegedly sold cocaine and heroin to a confidential informant twice on April 26.
Casey A. Swope, 31, Howard, and Christopher A. Swope, 35, Newark allegedly sold heroin to a confidential informant on May 3.
Johnathan R. Zimelis, 30, Mount Vernon, allegedly sold heroin to a confidential informant on May 3 and 10.
Jasmine S. Bales, 20, Mount Vernon, allegedly sold heroin to a confidential informant on May 11 and 14.
Wendy L. Singrathsomboune, 26, Mount Vernon, allegedly sold heroin to a confidential informant on May 16 and 22.
Donna J. Sapp, 26, Mount Vernon, allegedly sold heroin to a confidential informant on March 27. Sapp also faces perjury and falsification charges unrelated to the drug case. Sapp is accused of lying to the police and to a grand jury in connection with a felony domestic violence case filed in March.
Thatcher said all but three of the defendants in the drug cases were arrested last night. The whereabouts of William Strouse, Casey Swope and Christopher Swope are unknown. Anyone with information about Strouse or the Swopes should contact the Mount Vernon Police Department at 740-397-2222.
Detective Cpl. Matt Dailey and Detectives James DeChant and Craig Feeney investigated the drug cases. Feeney also investigated the Sapp perjury and falsification case.
Christopher A. Gutridge, 20, Orlando, Fla., is accused of concealing a stolen handgun on his person on May 27. Thatcher said the gun was stolen from a local sporting goods store. The indictment also alleges that Gutridge tried to hide the gun when officers approached him. Gutridge faces charges of carrying a concealed weapon, possession of a stolen firearm and tampering with evidence. Patrolman Kyle Theibert, MVPD, investigated the case.
According to the indictment, John Marshall, 40, is prohibited from having firearms due to a felony domestic violence conviction in Cuyahoga County in 2002. Thatcher said Marshall is accused of having weapons while under a legal disability for allegedly possessing a .45 caliber pistol and a .22 caliber rifle on May 16. Detective James Ferenbaugh, Knox County Sheriff’s Office, investigated the case.
David T. Whited, 38, Fredericktown, faces an aggravated burglary charge for allegedly breaking into a Bryant Road residence while in possession of a knife on June 3. Thatcher said the incident apparently resulted from Whited’s dispute with a family member. Deputy Dan Selby, KCSO, investigated the case.
