RSS | Print | Comments | Tell a Friend | Larger Text | Smaller Text | Bookmark and Share

Local News

Wednesday, December 30, 2009

Hancock County grand jury indicts 16 people
Hancock County Health Dept.
By JORDAN CRAVENS

staff writer

A Findlay teenager who brandished a knife and allegedly threatened to stab another man was indicted Tuesday by a Hancock County grand jury.

Brett L. Wieging, 18, was charged with felonious assault, a second-degree felony. He is accused of threatening to stab an 18-year-old Fostoria man on Thursday following a domestic dispute on West Lincoln Street, according to police reports.

Fifteen other people were also charged by the grand jury Tuesday during its final session of the year.

Scottie E. Emmons, 27, of Findlay, was indicted on two charges stemming from a Christmas Day break-in. Emmons, who is charged with breaking and entering and possession of criminal tools, both fifth-degree felonies, is accused of using force to trespass at a Tioga Avenue garage.

Paul D. Farner, 33, of Fostoria, was charged with assaulting a police officer, a fourth-degree felony. He allegedly assaulted Officer Brett Bethel of the Fostoria Police Department on Nov. 6.

Myriah Shoemaker, 18, of Jenera, was charged with misuse of credit cards, a fifth-degree felony. Shoemaker allegedly used another woman's credit card and racked up a bill between $500 and $5,000 over a 90-day period.

Tiffany N. Hook, 21, and David B. Rickard, 21, both of Fostoria, were charged with stealing cash and merchandise valued at between $500 and $5,000 from a Walmart in Findlay between Nov. 27 and Dec. 24. Both were charged with theft, a fifth-degree felony.

Michael E. Harpe, 39, of Findlay, was indicted on three charges of theft, attempting to commit burglary, and possession of criminal tools, all fifth-degree felonies. Harpe is accused of stealing Blu-ray movies from Walmart on Nov. 18, valued at more than $500. On Dec. 27 he allegedly engaged in conduct which, if successful, would have led to the burglary of an occupied Sterling Hill Drive apartment. On the same day he was in possession of a credit card that was intended to be used in committing the burglary, according to his indictment.

Forest resident Dean A. Spearman, 30, was charged with breaking and entering, a fifth-degree felony, stemming from an Oct. 4 incident in which he allegedly used force to trespass at a shop building on Ohio 37, Forest.

Lisa K. Norway, 39, of Findlay, was charged with two counts of forgery, both fifth-degree felonies. She is accused of writing two fraudulent checks, one for $200 and another for $150, on Dec. 9.

Lance E. Welborn, 41, of Leipsic, was charged with grand theft of a motor vehicle, a fourth-degree felony. He allegedly stole a 1997 Ford pickup truck on Dec. 15 in McComb.

Pamela S. Risner, 45, of Findlay, was charged with theft, a fifth-degree felony. She is accused of stealing more than $500 cash from Gas America in Findlay on Nov. 8.

Two Findlay men, Robert A. Purdy, 23, and Thomas O. Wise, 19, were both charged with receiving stolen property, fourth-degree felonies. The two are accused of retaining a stolen 2006 Yamaha ATV on Saturday.

Danny R. Reynolds II, 49, of Toledo, was charged with possession of cocaine, a fourth-degree felony, and aggravated possession of drugs, a second-degree felony. Reynolds is accused of selling between five and 25 grams of cocaine and a bulk amount of Oxycodone Hydrochloride in Allen Township on Saturday.

Mark T. Gooch, 44, of Findlay, was charged with four counts of forgery, each a felony of the fifth degree. Four times in December, Gooch allegedly wrote forged checks ranging in value from $21.47 to $94.60.

Joe Gutierrez III, of Findlay, was charged with violating a domestic violence civil protection order issued this year in Hancock County Common Pleas Court. This is a fifth-degree felony.

Felony charges range from first-degree, the most serious, to fifth-degree, the least serious.

All those charged will be arraigned on Jan. 6.

Cravens: 419-427-8422,

Send an e-mail to Jordan Cravens


Subscribe to The Courier.
Comment on This Story
NOTE: Comment moderation has been enabled. If you see a comment that violates our Electronic User Agreement, please e-mail webmaster@thecourier.com. Thank you. If you are having problems viewing this Web page, please contact our Internet Department to help us diagnose and correct the problem. We may contact you for more information. Thanks in advance.
Your e-mail address will not be displayed on this website or shared with anyone. It is used by our online editor for contacting purposes.
Comments are moderated by The Courier according to its Electronic User Agreement within one business day. Comments that slander others or include language that violates the agreement will be rejected. All comments that impart opinion and information are welcome.

3 Comments

Latest comments listed first.
R wrote:
Justice in this county?
“ You gotta be kidding me.

You can shoot someone and kill them, albeit an "accidental" shooting and not even get a mishandling of fire arms charge! Even if you were under the influence of alcohol and weed!!!

He will plea bargain with Heroin dealers, crack dealers & pedophiles but won't budge on a plea deal for people growing cannabis! Something is VERY wrong with that picture!

Our prosecutor is an IDIOT!! Ask anybody who works for him. ”
Thursday, December 31, 2009 12:11:23 AM
tim wrote:
B's comment
“ B-In case you don't know which it seems you don't, the police department doesn't determine the sentences-the court does-so before you call Findlay's Finest worthless, educate yourself. ”
Wednesday, December 30, 2009 11:39:25 AM
B wrote:
wheres the justice
“ i know a guy got stabed and he didnt get nothing but a couple days in jail .and he actually stabed the guy,,i think findlays finest are worthless ”
Wednesday, December 30, 2009 6:23:31 AM
   NEWS VIDEO

Benton Ridge Shooting

This video, released by the Hancock County Prosecutor's Office, shows the shooting of a Lima man who led authorities on a three-county chase ending Aug.24 in Benton Ridge. Be cautioned, the video contains graphic content.
   SPECIAL SECTIONS
Summer Coupons
   WEEKEND
USA Weekend

ANDERSON COOPER: Five years after Hurricane Katrina, the CNN reporter returns to New Orleans as the Gulf Coast faces even newer challenges.


Roses are red...

SOLUTIONS, NOT PROBLEMS: The University of Findlay plays host to competitive sailor who is a quadruple amputee.

ALSO IN WEEKEND: Area events,
prep boys and girls soccer and a trip to Niagra Falls.

   STAY IN TOUCH
The Courier on Facebook
   VIRTUAL VILLAGE
TisaWee Farm

Far Flung Guest Book

Virtual Village
   PHOTO GALLERY
Randy's Seen

IMAGE BLOG: Go behind the scenes with Courier photographer Randy Roberts.


You can purchase photographs from The Courier through our easy-to-use online system. Get prints, mousepads, T-shirts and more!

   LOCAL NEWS
  LATEST COMMENTS Last 10 comments submitted by our readers...
j wrote in article "Many winners named as Hancock Fair opens":
Good but little expensive
“ The fair was interesting, but at $5 for the more popular rides on the expensive side, same with the food, many people commented... ” Read More...
9/2/2010 10:37:10 AM
JM wrote in article "McComb couple is serious about fair competition":
Very nice!
“ What a lovely article. Will have to check out their goods at the fair. ” Read More...
9/2/2010 10:21:42 AM
Ed wrote in article "Shooting video released":
Dirt bag...
“ A head shot would have put an end to the both dirt bag's chance of getting more money. NATE: could it be that you have some fir... ” Read More...
9/2/2010 9:53:26 AM
Yfkm wrote in article "Heroin outbreak":
Denial
“ To Tony and TL Every good citizen, parent and public official advocates the eradication of drugs from our communities; you are n... ” Read More...
9/2/2010 9:08:20 AM
Penny Musgrave wrote in article "Shooting video released":
Benton Ridge Shooting
“ Although I am all for catching the criminal, I don't condone what was done to this guy. They converged on him like gangbusters b... ” Read More...
9/2/2010 8:43:07 AM
Yfkm wrote in article "Parole denied in murder case":
Unqualified reassurance
“ To Tony - here is another example of your inability to see situations as they really are. It is obvious that you are so self in... ” Read More...
9/2/2010 8:42:45 AM
JP wrote in article "Pigskin Picks":
Wood Shed???
“ "Bubba," why would a Tiger take a Polar Bear to the wood shed? Wouldn't it be more likely that: Tigers knock Polar Bears into a... ” Read More...
9/2/2010 7:16:48 AM
poor victim!!!!! wrote in article "Shooting video released":
Nate
“ Nate your a moron and obviously do not know a thing about use of force. Also most taser cartridges carried have a 15 ft to 35 f... ” Read More...
9/2/2010 7:15:05 AM
Ryan wrote in article "Shooting video released":
Research
“ It doesn't matter if there was a weapon found or not. An officer's job is based upon perception and their objective reasonablen... ” Read More...
9/2/2010 7:05:15 AM
Derek wrote in article "Shooting video released":
Nate......what???
“ Nate, first of all, police officer's don't carry mase. If they did, the would carry maCe. Now, if you did some research, you'd... ” Read More...
9/2/2010 4:02:04 AM
  U.S. Headlines
  World News
  Ohio News
Homebuilders
News Briefs Firefighters discover 20 marijuana plants in house
After fighting a house fire early Monday at 815 Howard St., firefighters found 20 marijuana plants in the residence.

"They ran across it and called us," said police Sgt. Justin Hendren with the Hancock County METRICH Drug Enforcement Unit.

Police seized all 20 plants, and Hendren said charges are pending.

High-powered growing lights, fans, and a box filled with dried marijuana were also found in the house, according to a police report.

Investigators said an electrical short started the fire before 3 a.m. Monday.

The blaze caused an estimated $12,000 in damage to the residence, owned by Amanda Crawford. No one was injured, according to the Findlay Fire Department.

Carey announces holiday closing
CAREY -- Carey offices, including administrative, income tax and utilities, electric, wastewater treatment plant, and public works, will be closed Monday in observance of Labor Day.

The curbside recycling program will be held Tuesday through Thursday, Sept. 7-9.

Findlay trooper named sergeant
Trooper Jacob L. Fletcher, assigned to the Findlay post of the State Highway Patrol, was promoted to sergeant Wednesday by Patrol Superintendent Col. David Dicken.

With the promotion, Fletcher will stay at the Findlay post and serve as an assistant post commander, according to the patrol.

Fletcher began his patrol career in 2002 after graduating from the 139th Academy class and has been assigned to the Findlay post since.

Owens announces holiday schedule
The Toledo and Findlay campuses of Owens Community College will be closed Saturday through Monday for the Labor Day holiday.

There will be no classes and the college offices will be closed.

Classes will resume and offices will open again on Tuesday.

Holiday changes ad deadlines
The Courier won't be published on Monday, in observance of the Labor Day holiday.

Because of the holiday, some advertising deadlines have been moved up this week:

Black and white display advertising for Tuesday's newspaper must be placed by noon Friday. Display advertising for Wednesday's newspaper must be placed by 2:30 p.m. Friday.

Color display advertising for the Thursday, Sept. 9 newspaper must be placed by Friday.

Classified advertising and City and Country advertising for Saturday's newspaper must be placed by 2 p.m. Friday. Classified ads for Tuesday's newspaper must be placed by 2:30 p.m. Friday.

Courier business and advertising offices will close at 3 p.m. Friday for the holiday.