Grand jury returns drug-related indictments

A Carroll County grand jury handed down 10 indictments for drug-related offenses during a full-day session May 5.

Prosecuting Attorney Steven D. Barnett said the grand jury heard testimony from 10 witnesses.

Indictments were returned against the following:

JASON P. CARROLL, 38, of Troy and BENJAMIN P. HALL, 23, of Hamilton, each indicted on one count of Aggravated Possession of Drugs, a felony of the third degree (F3) and one count of Drug Paraphernalia Offenses, a misdemeanor.  Carroll County Sheriff’s deputies conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle operated by Hall on State Route (SR)183 in Brown Township April 13.  Carroll was a passenger in the vehicle.  A search of the vehicle found 4.4 grams of suspected methamphetamine hidden in the false bottom of two separate containers. Glass pipes used to smoke methamphetamine were also found.

QUIN M. MARKINS, 26, of 305 West Line Street, Minerva, JEROME M. SIMMONS, 36, of 302 East Grant Street, Malvern, and LOGAN ELISE BYRD, 19, of 305 West Line Street, Minerva, were indicted on separate charges. Markins was indicted on one count of Possession of Heroin (F5). Simmons was indicted on one count of Aggravated Possession of Drugs (F5), one count of Possession of Heroin (F5), one count of Possessing Drug Abuse Instruments (M2) and one count of Drug Paraphernalia Offenses (M4).  Byrd was indicted on one count of Aggravated Possession of Drugs (F5).

The trio was stopped for a traffic violation on SR 183 near Malvern April 30.  During the stop, Markins and Byrd were taken into custody for outstanding arrest warrants.  A search of Simmons found suspected methamphetamine and heroin and a glass pipe used to administer illegal narcotics.  Further search of the vehicle discovered suspected heroin where Markins was sitting.  When deputies later checked one of their police vehicles, suspected methamphetamine was discovered in the seat where Byrd had been detained while deputies dealt with Markins and Simmons.

KALEB SCOTT ARMSTRONG, 25, of 125 Sandy Street, Malvern, one count of Aggravated Possession of Drugs (F5) and one count of Drug Paraphernalia Offenses.  Armstrong was found in possession of suspected methamphetamine and a glass pipe used to smoke methamphetamine following a traffic stop on a vehicle Armstrong was riding in on SR 183 near Malvern April 16.

RAYELLE LYNN MARKS, 38, of 310 South Market Street, Minerva, one count of Aggravated Possession of Drugs (F5). Marks operated a vehicle with an expired license on State Route 183 near Malvern April 16. Upon being stopped by deputies and a probable cause search of the vehicle, suspected methamphetamine was discovered in her purse.

CHAD L. MARKWELL, 32, of Minerval City, one count of Aggravated Possession of Drugs (F5). Markwell was stopped for a traffic violation on Avalon Rd. near Dellroy April 24.  During a consent search of the vehicle, suspected methamphetamine was found.

RICHARD A. McCORMICK, III, 34, of Coshocton, one count of Aggravated Possession of Drugs (F5).  Carrollton Police officers stopped a vehicle operated by McCormick April 25 for a traffic violation.  A probable cause search of the vehicle found suspected methamphetamine in a container under the floorboard on the driver’s side of the vehicle where McCormick was seated.  Another passenger in the vehicle was also taken into custody for outstanding arrest warrants from Stark and Muskingum counties.

MICHAEL JOHN VIRDEN, 41, of 5230 Norco Road NE, Carrollton, one count of Having Weapons While Under Disability (F3). Sheriff deputies were called April 23 to assist in a civil standby for a woman at Virden’s address.  Deputies found Virden possessed a handgun despite having a prior felony drug conviction that prohibited him from having a firearm.

DAKOTA E. HILL, 22, of Canton, one count of Carrying Concealed Weapon (F4).  Hill was stopped May 1 by Carrollton police officers for a traffic offense.  During the stop, a loaded handgun was found under the driver’s seat.

Arraignments are scheduled May 13 at 8:30 a.m. before Common Pleas Judge Michael V. Repella, II.