Malvern man charged with breaking into Lake Mohawk snack shack

Two men were indicted on felony charges related to burglary and theft during a half-day grand jury session Aug. 7.

According to Carroll County Prosecuting Attorney Steven D. Barnett, the grand jury heard testimony from 12 witnesses in 11 cases, all of which were returned as indictments.

ALEXANDER C. WILLIAMS, 27, of 43 West Mohawk Drive, Malvern, was indicted on one count of Breaking and Entering and Possessing Criminal Tools, each a fifth-degree felony.  

Barnett said Williams is accused of forced entry through a window at the Lake Mohawk snack bar building July 2 in an attempt to steal items.  A screwdriver, used to pry the locked door, was found at the scene.  Security camera footage placed Williams at the scene in the early morning hours before the broken window was discovered the next morning.

JOSHUA A. BROWN, 35, of 5699 Steubenville Rd. SE, Amsterdam, was indicted on Burglary and Theft. Barnett said he is accused of entering the residence of a former girlfriend May 16 and stole video game equipment, video games, gift cards, a bicycle and a go-kart with a total value at more than $1,000. 

The East Canton man already facing charges in municipal court, was indicted on several charges.

ANDREW R. CARTWRIGHT, 28, of East Canton, was indicted on Aggravated Vehicular Assault, a third-degree felony and Vehicular Assault, a fourth-degree felony, Failure to Stop After an Accident and two counts of Driving While Under the Influence of Alcohol or Drugs, both misdemeanor charges.

Charges were filed in Carroll County Municipal Court following a July 21 accident, which occurred on Bacon Rd. 

During an Aug. 8 hearing in municipal court, Cartwright waived his right to a timely pre-trial hearing and Judge Gary Willen scheduled a pre-trial Aug. 28.

With the grand jury handing down the indictment, the charges in Municipal Court will be dismissed.

According to Barnett, a vehicle operated by Cartwright struck a motorcycle on Bacon Road in Harrison Township that caused the motorcycle to crash, seriously injuring the driver, 51year-old Gregory Sivets of Carrollton.  Cartwright allegedly left the scene of the crash and was later apprehended in a driveway off  Avalon Road, where deputies suspected him of being under the influence of drugs.

GREGORY M. MUTTON, 60, of 3030 Fresno Rd. NW, Carrollton, is facing an indictment for one count of Domestic Violence, two counts of Assault, fourth-degree felonies, and one count of Assault, a fifth-degree felony. 

On July 17, Mutton allegedly assaulted a family member and, after being taken to the Carroll County jail, assaulted two sheriff deputies and a corrections officer.

Seven persons were indicted on drug-related charges, including the following:

KEVIN L. DESPER, 45, of Canton, Possession of Heroin, Possessing Drug Abuse Instruments and Obstructing Official Busines..  Barnett said Desper was found sitting in a ditch along State Route 542 near Dellroy July 17. He repeatedly provided a false name to sheriff deputies.  After opening Desper’s backpack to locate his identification, approximately 20 hypodermic needles and heroin were found.  After confirming Desper’s real identity, deputies discovered an outstanding warrant for his arrest from Stark County.

CHRISTINA L. COIL, 45, of 100 West Main St., Salineville, Aggravated Possession of Drugs, Possessing Drug Abuse Instruments and Obstructing Official Business. 

The prosecutor said on July 3, Coil, a passenger in a vehicle stopped by sheriff deputies, fled on foot from the traffic.  Upon being apprehended, deputies discovered a warrant for Coil’s arrest from Stark County. During a search of Coil’s wallet, deputies found methamphetamine and a syringe used to inject methamphetamine.

DONALD L. UNKEFER, JR., 38, of 710 Valley St., Minerva, Aggravated Possession of Drugs and Drug Paraphernalia Offenses.

On June 3, Minerva Police officers arrested Unkefer for operating a vehicle without a valid driver’s license.  During an inventory search of the vehicle prior to towing, methamphetamine and a pipe used to smoke methamphetamine were found in the vehicle.

JOHN H. GRADEN, 60, whose address is unknown, was indicted on Possession of Cocaine and Aggravated Possession of Drugs. On March 2, methamphetamine and cocaine were found in Graden’s possessions upon being admitted to a Minerva area facility.

DAMON M. RECKNER, 31, of Canton, and DENNIS R. PAYTAS, 49, of New Philadelphia, were each indicted on one count of Aggravated Possession of Drugs.  It is alleged that on July 6, methamphetamine was found in the glove box of Paytas’ vehicle, which was also accessible by Reckner.

SAMANTHA N. LUKE, 35, of Canton, Aggravated Possession of Drugs. On July 2, sheriff deputies found Amphetamine and Dextroamphetamine tablets in a container in Luke’s vehicle after she was stopped for a traffic violation near Minerva.  Luke did not have a prescription for the tablets.

Arraignments are scheduled Aug. 22 at 8:15 a.m. before Judge Michael V. Repella, II.