COLUMBUS – The Ohio State Highway Patrol is reporting six fatal crashes resulting in seven fatalities on Ohio’s roadways during the 2023-2024 New Year’s holiday according to provisional statistics. Of the seven fatalities, five of those killed were not wearing an available safety belt.
The four-day reporting period began at midnight on Friday, December 29, 2023, and ran through 11:59 p.m. on Monday, January 1, 2024. This is a decrease from the four-day reporting period last year when 13 fatalities were reported.
Troopers made 3,259 traffic enforcement contacts; including 272 OVI arrests, 106 distracted driving and 409 safety belt citations.
The public is encouraged to continue using #677 to report dangerous or impaired drivers, as well as drug activity. A statistical analysis of the Patrol’s enforcement activity over the holiday is available here.
(COLUMBUS, Ohio) — The Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) saw a similar volume of requests for investigations of officer-involved critical incidents (OICI) in 2023 compared to last year, according to data released today by Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost.
Local law enforcement agencies requested BCI to investigate 58 OICIs in 2023, one fewer than in 2022. Under AG Yost’s leadership, BCI has investigated over 260 officer-involved critical incidents since 2019.
BCI’s Special Investigations Unit led investigations for 55 of 2023’s OICIs, with assistance from other sections of BCI, including the Crime Scene, Cyber Crimes and Criminal Intelligence units. For three incidents, local agencies only requested the services of BCI’s Crime Scene Unit to process crime scenes.
Thirty-four OICI investigations were completed and referred to the appropriate county prosecuting attorneys, and 24 investigations remain active and ongoing.
In 2023, 40 individual law enforcement agencies submitted requests to BCI to investigate officer-involved shootings.
The most frequent requestor of BCI was the Columbus Division of Police (11), followed by the Canton Police Department (3) and the Ohio State Highway Patrol (3).
Thirteen sheriff’s offices requested BCI to conduct at least one investigation in 2023.
August was the busiest month for BCI units as they opened 9 investigations within a span of 24 days.
While several law enforcement officers were shot, no officers died during officer-involved shootings in 2023.
Transparency
The Ohio Attorney General’s Office remains committed to post-investigation transparency in all officer-involved critical incidents.
This commitment means the public is given access to records after BCI has completed its investigation – a process that forms the basis for any legal action stemming from the incident – and either a prosecutor or grand jury has decided not to indict the case, or the case has been adjudicated in court.
AG Yost began posting complete investigative files to the AGO’s website in 2020 for all fatal officer-involved critical incidents investigated by BCI and/or prosecuted by the attorney general’s Special Prosecutions Section.
In 2023, 28 case files were added, including over 1,100 investigative reports and over 650 video files. The files, which include numerous photographs and graphic reconstruction comprise nearly 850 gigabytes of data.
The investigative files have gained over 25,000 pageviews as the public has accessed the files.
About the Process
Ohio law enforcement has sole jurisdiction to investigate their agency’s own officer-involved critical incidents, but many communities turn to BCI to conduct an independent investigation.
“There are no surprises when BCI is requested to investigate an officer-involved shooting – we’ve literally written the book on how to conduct a use-of-force investigation and made it available for anyone to review,” Yost said.
“Best Practices for Investigating an Officer-Involved Critical Incident” was published by BCI Special-Agent-in-Charge Mark Kollar in 2021 and is available on the AGO website here.
BCI defines an officer-involved critical incident as the discharge of a firearm by a law enforcement officer during the course of their duties that is directed at another person, any incident in which a law enforcement officer suffers serious physical harm or death at the hands of another, and any incident involving the use of force by a law enforcement officer against another person.
Pursuant to Ohio Revised Code section 109.54, BCI must be formally invited to become involved in an investigation by a formal request or by a memorandum of understanding.
BCI investigations into officer-involved critical incidents seek the facts and circumstances of each incident and do not include any determination of fault. The legality of the actions involved are determined by a county prosecuting attorney and/or grand jury.
Additional information about the investigative process is available on the AGO’s website.
December 31, 1969; Delta Company is still working in the same area where the day before we lost Marlin (KIA) and Young, Howard and Piccirillo (WIA). Ben Chua had always been a strong hold for the NVA/VC and a dangerous area to work. Late in the afternoon we decided on a location for our night ambush position.
It was a trail that showed some recent foot activity (Ho Chi Minh sandal prints). Ho Chi Minh sandals were worn by enemy soldiers. They were made from recycled tires. We waited until the last light to move into the AP (ambush position). We setup our claymores to cover the kill zone and placed mechanical claymores up and down the trail.
We called our position into TOC (tactical operations center) and plotted the location with Artillery (red legs) at Fire Base Kien. We established a watch schedule and remained at 100% until darkness fell. Throughout the night we could see and hear Night Hawks (helicopters fitted with infrared night vision and electric mini guns that fired 4,000 rounds a minute) working in the area.
They were used at night for close in support or when targets of opportunity were located. Suddenly, at approximately 0500 on January 1, 1970, one of the mechanical claymores detonated. We checked out the area but could only find the remains of a rabbit that apparently set off the device.
It wasn’t a good start to the New Year for the rabbit. I still have 217 days left in-country.
December 31, 1969; Delta Company is still working in the same area where the day before we lost Marlin (KIA) and Young, Howard and Piccirillo (WIA). Ben Chua had always been a strong hold for the NVA/VC and a dangerous area to work. Late in the afternoon we decided on a location for our night ambush position.
It was a trail that showed some recent foot activity (Ho Chi Minh sandal prints). Ho Chi Minh sandals were worn by enemy soldiers. They were made from recycled tires. We waited until the last light to move into the AP (ambush position). We setup our claymores to cover the kill zone and placed mechanical claymores up and down the trail.
We called our position into TOC (tactical operations center) and plotted the location with Artillery (red legs) at Fire Base Kien. We established a watch schedule and remained at 100% until darkness fell. Throughout the night we could see and hear Night Hawks (helicopters fitted with infrared night vision and electric mini guns that fired 4,000 rounds a minute) working in the area.
They were used at night for close in support or when targets of opportunity were located. Suddenly, at approximately 0500 on January 1, 1970, one of the mechanical claymores detonated. We checked out the area but could only find the remains of a rabbit that apparently set off the device.
It wasn’t a good start to the New Year for the rabbit. I still have 217 days left in-country.
On January 1, 2024, at approximately 07:53 hours, the Willard Police Department responded to a shooting call in the 600 block of Fink Street. The female caller advised she had been shot in the leg. The male shooter had left the area on foot and was still armed. The female was transported by Willard Fire and EMS to Willard Mercy. Her condition is currently unknown.
At approximately 08:24 hours, the Willard Police Department received information that the male subject was at a relative’s residence in the 200 block of South West Avenue. Members of the Willard Police Department, Huron County Sheriff’s Office, and the Ohio State Highway Patrol set up a perimeter around the residence. Several family members left the home, but the male subject remained inside.
Officers were able to maintain communication with the male subject. At approximately 10:50 hours, the male subject surrendered peacefully.
The male subject was transported to the Huron County Jail pending formal charges. The Ohio Attorney General’s Office was contacted and BC] arrived to gather evidence at the scene.
The Willard Police Department would like to thank the Huron County Sheriff’s Office, Ohio State Highway Patrol, Ohio Attorney General’s Office, BCI, Willard Fire and EMS, Plymouth Fire and EMS, and the public for their assistance.
The Willard Police Department is still investigating the circumstances that led to the shooting.
(COLUMBUS, Ohio) — The law enforcement task forces organized under the Ohio Organized Crime Investigations Commission (OOCIC) confiscated more than $63 million in illegal drugs in 2023, including notable increases in cocaine and psilocybin mushrooms, Ohio Attorney General Yost announced today.
“Our major drug interdiction task forces are taking drugs, guns and cash off the streets and holding traffickers accountable,” Yost said. “The bottom line is that poisons like fentanyl continue to stream into Ohio and ruin lives. Stopping the flow of illegal drugs has been and will continue to be a top priority.”
In 2023, the task forces also seized 400 firearms and $5,471,132 million in currency.
“The role of these drug task forces in the safety of our communities cannot be overstated,” said Governor Mike DeWine. “I sincerely appreciate the collaborative work of state, local, and federal law enforcement officers in 2023, and I’m grateful for their continued dedication to public safety in the year to come.”
Under AG Yost’s leadership, OOCIC task forces have seized more than 1,774 firearms, $61 million in currency, and narcotics valued in excess of $304 million.
Here is a breakdown of the drugs confiscated in 2023:
Task forces also seized quantities of heroin (2.45 lbs.), crack cocaine (3.3 lbs.), khat (664 lbs.), MDMA (2.5 lbs.) and xylazine (2.2 lbs.).
Cocaine quantities surged in 2023. The 520 pounds seized in 2023 significantly exceeded the quantities seized by task forces in previous years:
Task forces also saw a notable increase in the quantity of psilocybin mushrooms seized during 2023:
Under OOCIC’s direction, task forces are formed through collaborative efforts and often involve local, state and federal law enforcement agencies. Specifically, major drug interdiction task forces operate throughout the state with a focus on seizing illegal narcotics, weapons and cash before they impact Ohio communities.
“These investigations prove that the federal, state and local partnerships across Ohio are strong and delivering results,” said HSI Detroit Special Agent in Charge Angie M. Salazar. “I am grateful for the hard work of these task forces and their dedication to protect and serve the communities and the people of Ohio.”
Several major drug task forces exist and are funded through RecoveryOhio, in concert with the Ohio Department of Public Safety and Ohio Criminal Justice Services.
“I can’t say enough about how great our partners are. I’m proud to stand on the front line with the local police chiefs, mayors and sheriffs that provide personnel and resources to these task forces,” Yost said. “I’m also grateful to the legislature and Gov. DeWine who ensure that we have the funding necessary to operate these task forces. Without their support, this success would not have been accomplished.”
2023 Notable Seizures
Here is a sampling of the seizures in 2023:
Licking, Muskingum, Guernsey County Major Drug Task Force (CODE Task Force)
In July, agents from the CODE Task Force, working with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration on a suspected trafficking case at a parcel facility, seized approximately 4 pounds of methamphetamine.
In October, the task force executed as search warrant on a residence in the city of Newark. Agents recovered more than 2 pounds of methamphetamine and a small amount of fentanyl. Several days later, the task force located a vehicle driven by a suspect and initiated a traffic stop. The driver failed to comply and a pursuit occurred, ultimately ending with the vehicle striking a tree and the driver fleeing on foot. The driver was apprehended by a K-9 and the subsequent search of the vehicle resulted in the seizure of additional fentanyl within the vehicle.
The task force includes the sheriff’s offices in Licking, Muskingum, Guernsey, Knox, Perry and Coshocton counties; the Ohio State Highway Patrol; the U.S. Postal Inspector; Homeland Security Investigations; and the Licking County Prosecutor’s Office.
Central Ohio OOCIC / HIDTA Major Drug Interdiction Task Force
In March and April, the task force, which operates in Franklin and Madison counties, executed numerous search warrants as part of an ongoing narcotics investigation. In total, more than 280 pounds of cocaine and bulk amounts of currency were seized.
In late November, the task force made multiple significant seizures, including intercepting 15 pounds of methamphetamine and 2.2 pounds of cocaine destined for the central Ohio area.
The task force includes the Columbus Division of Police, the Attorney General’s Bureau of Criminal Investigation, Gahanna Police, the Internal Revenue Service, Homeland Security Investigations, the Madison County Sheriff’s Office, the State Highway Patrol, the U.S. Postal Inspector, Ohio HIDTA and the Drug Enforcement Administration.
ONSET Task Force (Summit, Medina and Cuyahoga Counties)
In August, task force agents with ONSET, working alongside Homeland Security Investigations, stopped two individuals that were about to board a flight to San Francisco from Cleveland Hopkins Airport. Law enforcement seized $27,350 in currency from one individual and $22,350 from the other. The second person stated that he had narcotics at his residence. A consent search at the resident resulted in the seizure of 200 grams of cocaine, 2,900 grams of fentanyl, a money counter, and ammunition.
In November, the task force made two separate seizures of more than 12 pounds of fentanyl pills.
The task force includes the sheriff’s offices in Medina and Summit counties, the Copley Township Police Department, Homeland Security Investigations, the Drug Enforcement Agency, the Medina County Drug Task Force, the State Highway Patrol, the Summit County Drug Task Force, the Summit County Prosecutor’s Office and the Medina County Prosecutor’s Office.
Hamilton County Major Drug Interdiction Task Force (RENU)
During an operation conducted from Aug. 29-31, the task force seized 13 pounds of methamphetamine and 53 pounds of marijuana destined for the Cincinnati area.
In October, the task force seized 6.5 pounds of psilocybin mushrooms, also meant for Cincinnati.
A long-term investigation including a series of search warrants was completed during 2023 related to Jarman Hargrove, who was charged with multiple counts of drug trafficking and drug possession and having a weapon under disability. The task force seized 9 kilograms of fentanyl, 4.5 kilograms of cocaine, five firearms and $62,052 in currency during the investigation.
The task force includes the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office, Hamilton County Prosecutor’s Office, Homeland Security Investigations, Regional Narcotics unit, Green Township Police Department and the Cheviot Police Department.
Miami Valley Bulk Smuggling Task Force (Montgomery and Clark counties)
In August, the task force conducted an investigation of a Phoenix group believed to be bringing fentanyl pills into Ohio. The task force located the group’s vehicle and driver at a local truck stop and surveilled the vehicle before ultimately conducting a traffic stop. Three people were arrested and more than 10,000 fentanyl pills were recovered.
The task force includes the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, Clark County Sheriff’s Office, Vandalia Police Department, Butler Township Police Department, BCI, Ohio State Highway Patrol, Homeland Security Investigations and the Montgomery County Prosecutor’s Office.
Mahoning Valley Major Drug Interdiction Task Force (Mahoning and Trumbull counties)
In October, agents with the Mahoning Valley Major Drug Interdiction Task Force along with the Mahoning Valley Law Enforcement Task Force and Mahoning Valley Violent Crimes Task Force served a search warrant on a residence in Youngstown, where they seized 3 pounds of cocaine, more than 10 pounds of methamphetamine and over $55,000 in currency.
The task force includes the Mahoning County Sheriff’s Office, Mahoning County Prosecutor’s Office, Mahoning Valley Law Enforcement Task Force, BCI, and the Trumbull County Prosecutor’s Office.
Belmont, Harrison, Jefferson Major Drug Interdiction Task Force
In October, the task force executed a search warrant that resulted in the arrest of six people and the seizure of 56 grams of fentanyl, 34 grams of crack cocaine, and $1,723 in currency.
The task force includes the sheriff’s offices of Belmont, Harrison and Jefferson counties, FBI, Homeland Security Investigations, and the prosecutor’s offices of Belmont, Harrison and Jefferson counties.
Northwest Ohio Major Drug Interdiction Task Force (Lucas and Wood counties)
During an investigation in March, the task force was monitoring a vehicle and eventually attempted a traffic stop. The vehicle sped away, and during the pursuit, two loaded pistols were thrown out the window. The task force recovered the guns, 1 gram of fentanyl and a scale. One occupant was arrested and another, who left his identification in the vehicle, is the subject of a warrant for felonious assault.
The task force includes the Toledo Police Department, the sheriff’s offices in Lucas and Wood counties, Homeland Security Investigations, the FBI, the Toledo Drug Task Force, the State Highway Patrol, Perrysburg Police, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Ohio, the Lucas County Prosecutor’s Office and the Wood County Prosecutor’s Office.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol is urging drivers who intend to celebrate the new year to plan ahead and designate a sober driver. The Patrol’s zero-tolerance policy is part of the Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over enforcement campaign.
The New Year’s holiday reporting period begins Friday, December 29 at midnight and ends on Monday, January 1 at 11:59 p.m.
During the 2022-2023 four-day New Year’s holiday reporting period, 11 fatal crashes killed 13 people. Of those, alcohol and/or drugs were a factor in nine fatal crashes. Of the 10 fatalities in which safety belts were available, eight were unbelted. Additionally, two motorcyclists and one pedestrian were killed during the holiday reporting period.
“We want everyone to have a great start to the new year,” said Governor Mike DeWine. “If you plan to go out and celebrate, please designate a sober driver.”
The Patrol reminds drivers to plan ahead, designate a sober driver or make other arrangements.
“When you’re ringing in the new year, remember driving impaired can have tragic and senseless consequences,” said Colonel Chuck A. Jones, Patrol superintendent. “If you feel different, you drive different.”
Troopers also made 219 impaired-driving arrests during the 2022-2023 four-day New Year’s holiday reporting period.
Motorists are encouraged to call #677 to report impaired drivers, drug activity or stranded motorists.
Last weekend I saw something at The Army Disposal Shop that sparked my interest. I was looking for a little something different for my wife Jen. What I came across was
.
The effects of the Taser were supposed to be short lived, with no long-term adverse effect on your assailant, allowing her adequate time to retreat to safety…??
WAY TOO COOL! Long story short, I bought the device and brought it home.
I loaded two AAA batteries in the darn thing and pushed the button. Nothing! I was disappointed I learned, however, that if I pushed the button and pressed it against a metal surface at the same time, I’d get the blue arc of electricity darting back and forth between the prongs.
AWESOME!!!
Unfortunately, I have yet to explain to Jen what that burn spot is on the face of her microwave.
Okay, so I was home alone with this new toy, thinking to myself that it couldn’t be all that bad with only two AAA batteries, right?
There I sat in my recliner, my cat Blue looking on intently (trusting little soul) while I was reading the directions and thinking that I really needed to try this thing out on a flesh & blood moving target.
I must admit I thought about zapping Blue (for a fraction of a second) and then thought better of it. She is such a sweet cat.
But, if I was going to give this thing to my wife to protect herself against a mugger, I did want some assurance that it would work as advertised.
Am I wrong?
So, there I sat in a pair of shorts with my reading glasses perched delicately on the bridge of my nose, directions in one hand, and Taser in another.
The directions said that:
a one-second burst would shock and disorient your assailant;
a two-second burst was supposed to cause muscle spasms and a major loss of bodily control;
a three-second burst would purportedly make your assailant flop on the ground like a fish out of water.
Any burst longer than three seconds would be wasting the batteries.
All the while I’m looking at this little device measuring about 5″ long, less than 3/4 inch in circumference (loaded with two itsy bitsy AAA batteries); pretty cute really, and thinking to myself, ‘no possible way!’
What happened next is almost beyond description, but I’ll do my best.
I’m sitting there alone, the cat looking on with her head cocked to one side so as to say, ‘Don’t do it stupid,’ reasoning that a one second burst from such a tiny lil ole thing couldn’t hurt all that bad.. I decided to give myself a one second burst just for heck of it.
I touched the prongs to my naked thigh, pushed the button, and…
FOR THE LOVE OF ALL THAT IS GOOD, WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION. WHAT THE…@*&% !!!
I’m pretty sure Hulk Hogan ran in through the side door, picked me up in the recliner, then body slammed us both on the carpet, over and over and over again.
I vaguely recall waking up on my side in the fetal position, with tears in my eyes, body soaking wet, both nipples on fire, testicles nowhere to be found, with my left arm tucked under my body in the oddest position, and tingling in my legs!
The cat was making meowing sounds I had never heard before, clinging to a picture frame hanging above the lounge, obviously in an attempt to avoid getting slammed by my body flopping all over the living room.
Note:
If you ever feel compelled to ‘mug’ yourself with a Taser,
one note of caution:
There is NO such thing as a one second burst when you zap yourself! You will not let go of that thing until it is dislodged from your hand by a violent thrashing about on the floor!
A three second burst would be considered conservative!
A minute or so later (I can’t be sure, as time was a relative thing at that point), I collected my wits (what little I had left), sat up and surveyed the landscape.
· My bent reading glasses were on the top of the TV.
· The recliner was upside down and about 8 feet or so from where it originally was.
· My triceps, right thigh and both nipples were still twitching.
· My face felt like it had been shot up with Novocain, and my bottom lip weighed 88 lbs.
· I had no control over the drooling.
· Apparently, I had crapped in my shorts, but was too numb to know for sure, and my sense of smell was gone.
· I saw a faint smoke cloud above my head, which I believe came from my hair.
I’m still looking for my testicles and I’m offering a significant reward for their safe return!
PS: My wife can’t stop laughing about my experience, loved the gift and now regularly threatens me with it!
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Joe Lyons •
January 2, 2024
COLUMBUS – The Ohio State Highway Patrol is reporting six fatal crashes resulting in seven fatalities on Ohio’s roadways during the 2023-2024 New Year’s holiday according to provisional statistics. Of the seven fatalities, five of those killed were not wearing an available safety belt.
On January 1, 2024, at approximately 07:53 hours, the Willard Police Department responded to a shooting call in the 600 block of Fink Street. The female caller advised she had been shot in the leg. The male shooter had left the area on foot and was still armed. The female was transported by Willard Fire and EMS to Willard Mercy. Her condition is currently unknown.
In November, the task force made two separate seizures of more than 12 pounds of fentanyl pills.
In October, agents with the Mahoning Valley Major Drug Interdiction Task Force along with the Mahoning Valley Law Enforcement Task Force and Mahoning Valley Violent Crimes Task Force served a search warrant on a residence in Youngstown, where they seized 3 pounds of cocaine, more than 10 pounds of methamphetamine and over $55,000 in currency.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol is urging drivers who intend to celebrate the new year to plan ahead and designate a sober driver. The Patrol’s zero-tolerance policy is part of the Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over enforcement campaign.