Grand jury returns 16 indictments in full-day session

A Carroll County grand jury handed out 16 indictments during a full-day session June 2, including murder and felonious assault charges against a Mechanicstown woman in a chase that was bound over to Common Pleas Court from Municipal Court.

Audrey Jean Cole, also known as Audrey Jean Branch, 34 of Arbor Rd. NE, was indicted on one count of murder with a firearm specification, and one count of felonious assault. On May 3, Branch shot and killed Matthew Michael Mott, with whom she resided and had a child with, during a dispute at their Fox Township residence.

Prosecuting Attorney Steven D. Barnett said the grand jury heard testimony from 14 witnesses. Arraignments are scheduled June 10 at 8:30 p.m. before Judge Michael V. Repella, II, in Common Pleas Court.

Other indictments included:

JOHN LEE STRAIN,48, of 2100 Laramie Rd. NW, Carrollton, one count of Aggravated Possession of Drugs, one count of Drug Paraphernalia Offenses and two counts of Aggravated Trafficking in Drugs. Strain was stopped by Carrollton Police officers May 13 for a traffic violation. During the stop, suspected methamphetamine and a glass pipe used to administer methamphetamine was found in Strain’s vehicle.

In a separate March investigation by the sheriff’s department, Strain was also indicted on two counts of Aggravated Trafficking in Drugs, where he is alleged to have sold methamphetamine to undercover detectives.  During one sale, the transaction occurred in the presence of a juvenile.

BRIANNA LYNN WHITMAN, 22, of 451 High St., Apt. D, Carrollton, one count of Aggravated Possession of Drugs. On May 17, Carrollton Police officers investigated a motor vehicle crash involving Whitman and discovered suspected methamphetamine in a container Whitman allegedly dropped on the ground as officers investigated the crash.

HENRY R. HINTON, 22, of 201 Westbridge Dr., Berea, and GEORGE W. HINTON, 21, of 201 Westbridge Dr., Berea, each indicted on one count of Failure to Comply with Order or Signal of Police Officer. Both individuals reportedly fled Nov. 7 from Carroll County Sheriff’s deputies on motorcycles after deputies attempted to stop them for speeding on SR 332.

RIGOBERTO VIVEROS-RUIZ,  19, of 136 2nd St. NW, Carrollton, one count of Receiving Stolen Property. Carrollton Police officers stopped Viveros-Ruiz’s vehicle May 9 for having license plates on the vehicle registered to a trailer. Upon investigating, it was discovered the license plate belonged to another Carrollton resident and the plate had been missing from his trailer.

JUSTIN M. SULLIVAN,38, and ORLO THOMAS DAILEY, 54, both of Massillon, and ROSE M. KELLEY, 38, of Canton. Sullivan was indicted on one count of Having Weapons Under Disability, one count of Aggravated Possession of Drugs, one count of Possession of Drugs, and one count of Possession of Dangerous Drugs. Dailey and Kelley were both indicted on one count of Aggravated Possession of Drugs, one count of Possession of Drugs and one count of Possession of Dangerous Drugs. Sheriff deputies stopped a vehicle operated by Sullivan for a marked lanes violation May 13.  Dailey and Kelley were passengers in the vehicle. During the traffic stop, a K-9 alerted on the vehicle. A loaded handgun was found in the vehicle and a holster and suspected methamphetamine were found on Sullivan’s person. Additional suspected methamphetamine, Xanax and Venlafaxine was found in the vehicle, which all three occupants had access to.

KRISTY ANN FLANIGAN, 34, Canton, one count of Aggravated Possession of Drugs, one count of Possession of Drug Abuse Instruments and one count of Drug Paraphernalia Offenses. Flanigan was stopped by sheriff deputies May 9 for a traffic violation near Malvern. During a probable cause search of the vehicle, suspected methamphetamine was found in Flanigan’s wallet. A hypodermic needle and burnt spoons used to administer drugs were also found.

DANIEL R.CASTIGALIA, 31, of New Philadelphia, one count of Aggravated Possession of Drugs and one count of Drug Paraphernalia Offenses. On May 12, sheriff’s deputies stopped a vehicle for a traffic violation near Magnolia. During a search of Castiglia’s jacket, suspected methamphetamine and a glass pipe used to smoke narcotics was discovered.

JOSHUA T., BLUE, 35, of 106 Euclid St., Amsterdam, one count of Aggravated Possession of Drugs and one count of Drug Paraphernalia Offenses. Carrollton Police officers responded to a W. Main St. business May 24 to investigate a report of a suspicious person in front of the business. When officers encountered Blue, they discovered an outstanding warrant for his arrest and he was taken into custody. A search of his person and belongings found suspected methamphetamine along with a set a scales.

WILLIAM LEE DIAZ, 33, of 130 Public Square SW, Apt. A, Carrollton, one count of Assault and one count of Obstructing Official Business. Carrollton Police responded to a disturbance at an apartment on Public Square May 24.  Diaz allegedly called 9-1-1 multiple times requesting military police respond to his apartment for a disturbance at his oneighbor’s apartment. fficers found no disturbance, however Diaz continued to become unruly and as officers were attempting to take him into custody for impeding their investigation, Diaz kicked a Carrollton Police officer. 

JACOB AARON IDEN, 30, of 194 Arbor Rd. NE, Minerva, and TODD R. IDEN, 52, of 194 Arbor Rd. NE, Minerva, each indicted on three counts of Having Weapons While Under Disability, two with a firearm specification and two counts of Unlawful Possession of a Dangerous Ordnance. On May 5, sheriff deputies and Ohio Adult Parole Authority officers found the Idens in possession of two fully automatic firearms which were equipped with suppressors, at their residence. Jacob Iden was previously convicted of a felony drug offense which prohibited his possession of firearms and Todd Iden was previously convicted of a felony offense of violence in 1993 prohibiting him from also possessing firearms.

JOHN S. KIEHL, 58, 4186 Avon Rd. NE, Carrollton, one count of Improperly Handling Firearms in a Motor Vehicle. Sheriff deputies stopped Kiehl’s vehicle May 27 for a traffic violation. During the stop, deputies arrested Kiehl for operating a motor vehicle while impaired. A search of the vehicle revealed a loaded handgun.