Grand Jury Indicts Eleven

 

The Knox County Grand Jury indicted eleven people in its regular session on Monday according to Knox County Prosecutor Chip McConville.  The Grand Jury has now issued 139 indictments to date in 2021, well below its pre-pandemic pace.  Prosecutor McConville noted that case numbers are experiencing an uptick as summer progresses.

Michael L. Johnson, 21, of Centerburg, was indicted for unlawful sexual conduct with a minor, a felony of the fourth degree. The offense allegedly occurred in March in Mount Vernon. The case was investigated by MVPD Det. Timothy Arnold.

Darren L. Price, 38, of Howard, was indicted for aggravated possession of drugs, a felony of the third degree.  During a traffic stop at the end of March, it is alleged that an MVPD K9 alerted to Price’s vehicle and Price was in possession of methamphetamine and other contraband at the time of the search.

Thomas W. Higgins, Jr., 43, of Mount Vernon, and co-defendant, Jeffrey A. Petrey, 47, of Newark, were indicted for aggravated possession of drugs, felonies of the fifth degree. MVPD Ptl. Matthew McDonald initiated a traffic stop due to a traffic violation, and allegedly found Higgins and Petrey in possession of methamphetamine.

Reese D. Patrick, 21, of Centerburg, was indicted for felonious assault, a felony of the first degree, and assault of a peace officer, a felony of the fourth degree. It is alleged that Patrick struck and bit a KCSO Deputy, causing him to have to take time off work.

Lexus A. Robinson, 27, of Columbus, was indicted for aggravated possession of drugs, a felony of the fifth degree. During an MVPD traffic stop with a K9 search, Robinson was allegedly in possession of methamphetamine. This case was investigated by Sgt. Jessica Butler.

Roger A. Christine, III, 39, of Loudonville, was indicted for aggravated possession of drugs, a felony of the fifth degree. After having probable cause to search Christine’s vehicle, it was discovered Christine was in possession of alleged methamphetamine.

Heather A. Abrams, 42, of Loudonville, was indicted for aggravated possession of drugs, a felony of the fifth degree. Abrams was stopped due to an equipment violation; during the traffic stop, Abrams was found to be in possession of Psilocin.

Mark C. Crawford, 51, of Howard, was indicted for tampering with evidence, a felony of the third degree. It is alleged Crawford tampered with his Secure Continuous Alcohol Monitor while being on probation for felony OMVI with Knox County Adult Probation.

Frederick M. Murphy, Sr., 52, of Mount Vernon, was indicted for aggravated possession of drugs, a felony of the third degree, and possessing drug abuse instruments, a second-degree misdemeanor. Co-defendant Miranda L. Wintz, 39, of Mount Vernon, was indicted for aggravated possession of drugs, a felony of the fifth degree. MVPD Ptl. Aaron Collins initiated a traffic stop with Murphy due to an exhaust violation and the K9 conducted a free air sniff around the vehicle. Wintz and Murphy were allegedly found to be in possession of methamphetamine and other drug abuse instruments were found in Murphy’s possession.

 

Information courtesy of the Knox County Prosecutor’s Office