The Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force is offering a reward for information which would lead to the capture of fugitive Earl Whipple. Whipple is wanted by the U.S. Marshals Service and the Richland County Sheriff’s Office for rape. Whipple, 49, is described as a white male with brown hair and hazel eyes, standing 5 feet 8 inches tall. Whipple has ties to the cities of Mansfield, Shelby Ohio, and High Springs Florida.
Earl Whipple
The Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force is offering a reward for information which would lead to the capture of fugitive Raphael Martinez. Martinez is wanted U.S. Marshals Service and the Richland County Sheriff’s Office for a bond violation on the original charges of trafficking in fentanyl. He is also wanted by the Ohio Adult Parole Authority on a parole violation on the original charge of rape. Martinez, 39, is described as a Hispanic male with bald hair and brown eyes, standing 5 feet 8 inches tall. Martinez has ties to the cities of Mansfield and Cleveland.
Raphael Martinez
The Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force is offering a reward for information which would lead to the capture of fugitive Jose Flores. Flores is wanted U.S. Marshals Service and the Richland County Sheriff’s Office for rape. Flores , 45, is described as a Hispanic male with black hair and brown eyes, standing 5 feet, 11 inches tall. Flores has ties to the cities of Mansfield, Bakersfield CA, and Fernley NV.
Jose Flores
The Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force is offering a reward for information which would lead to the capture of fugitive Calvin Brooks. Brooks is wanted by the U.S. Marshals Service and the Richland County Sheriff’s Office on a probation violation on the original charge of aggravated burglary (F1). Brooks, 52, is described as a black male with black hair and brown eyes, standing 5 feet 9 inches tall. Brooks has ties to the city of Mansfield.
Calvin Brooks
If you have any information in reference to Earl Whipple, Rafeal Martinez, Joses Flores, or Calvin Brooks, please contact the Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force at 1-866-4WANTED or Text keyword WANTED and tip to 847411 (tip411). Tipsters can remain anonymous and reward money is available.
COLUMBUS— State Representatives Darrell Kick (R-Loudonville) and Roy Klopfenstein (R-Haviland) have introduced legislation that will modernize car instruction.
New technology is being developed that will assist parents and their teens during two of the most important parts of driver training: 50 hours of parent coaching and 8 hours of in-car driving evaluation. The new driving tool will check if the right number of practice hours is done, give advice to improve driving skills, and assess how well those skills are mastered.
“Current law prohibits parents from providing 8 hours of in-car instruction,” said Kick. “This legislation will change this prevision to allow it if the parents are using an electronic education device or application approved by the Department of Public Safety.”
The new software will be able to be used on devices like a smartphone or the car’s computer system. The advancements will make driver education more accessible and reduce the cost for families by offering a more affordable option.
“This change to driving instruction is completely permissive, and if any safety concerns arise, DPS maintains the ability to conduct evaluations of the application and would have the authority to approve or deny any application,” said Klopfenstein.
During a February roundtable discussion at Ashland University’s Dauch College of Business and Economics, Ohio Lt. Governor Jon Husted announced AU has been awarded approximately $200,000 in grants to expand its Ohio Teacher Bootcamp Program later this year. The program serves as a way to build bridges and make connections between educators and local businesses so that educators can learn about the in-demand skills needed to be successful in today’s workforce and help better prepare students for career readiness upon graduation.
“If we’re going to continue to be a thriving economic state, we’ve got to innovate. (Innovation) requires talent, and talent can come from a variety of places. Whether college is for everybody or not, learning is for everybody, skill development is for everybody, wisdom is for everybody,” remarked Lt. Governor Husted at the roundtable.
During bootcamps, educators complete related coursework and participate in business tours to learn about in-demand skills firsthand. Through these experiences, educators are exposed to new industries, jobs and skills so they can use real-world knowledge when teaching their students, helping to better prepare them for a career in their community upon graduation.
Of the eight institutions of higher education across Ohio to receive funding this round, AU was awarded the largest grant.
Led by Jim Powell, executive director of professional development services, AU held 19 teacher manufacturing bootcamps during 2023. Those bootcamps engaged 118 business or advanced manufacturing companies, 300 educators across 75 school districts who earned a total of 900 graduate credit hours, 19 business advisory councils, 19 economic development boards, seven educational service centers, four career tech schools, three community colleges and several chambers of commerce.
“I see the power that whenever we do these, I hear teachers say things like ‘I didn’t know that existed in my community.’ I hear economic development people say things like … ‘our largest export is our human capital.’ There’s all this opportunity in the community for them. So, it’s a powerful thing for communities to go through and it takes all those people to pull together,” said Powell.
The roundtable featured leaders from nearby school districts, educational service centers and businesses spanning construction, manufacturing and robotics. They were unanimous in their support of the Ohio Teacher Bootcamp Program and praised its value in breaking down barriers and developing workforce talent.
Lt. Governor Husted may have summed it up best. “The world’s going to change. It has been changing fast. The pace of change will continue to accelerate, which will create … opportunity, or missed opportunity, for the young people coming forward. We’re all going to have to constantly re-educate ourselves. That’s what this is,” he concluded.
UPDATE — February 21 – Bucyrus Post investigating fatal crash on U.S. Route 23 in Wyandot County
Further examination of damage sustained to the Nissan leads troopers to believe the other vehicle involved in this crash is a semi-tractor trailer, a dump truck or other heavy commercial vehicle. The impact likely caused damage to the rear of the unknown vehicle, its trailer or the Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC) bumper. The unknown vehicle possibly went northbound on U.S. 23 after leaving the scene of the crash. The crash remains under investigation and anyone with information regarding the location of this vehicle, the identity of its driver or any other information is asked to call the Bucyrus Post at 419-562-8040.
UPPER SANDUSKY – The Bucyrus Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol is investigating a fatal crash that occurred today at approximately 5:56 a.m. on U.S. Route 23 near Township Road 65 in Pitt Township.
The preliminary investigation shows Brady D. Neifer, 25, Archbold, Ohio, was operating a Nissan Maxima, southbound on U.S. Route 23 when his vehicle struck an unknown vehicle. The impact caused Neifer to travel off the west side of the roadway and come to rest along a tree line. The unknown vehicle left the scene after the crash occurred.
Neifer was pronounced deceased on scene by the Wyandot County coroner. Neifer was not wearing a safety belt at the time of the crash. Alcohol and drugs are not suspected to be a factor in the crash.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol was assisted on scene by the Wyandot County Sheriff’s Office, Ohio Department of Transportation, Pitt Township Fire Department, Wyandot County EMS, and Fox’s Towing.
The crash remains under investigation and anyone with information regarding the location of the unknown vehicle, the identity of its driver or any other information is asked to call the Bucyrus Post at 419-562-8040.
On February 12, 2024, Hon. David R. Stimpert, Judge of the Common Pleas Court of Ashland County, Ohio, presided over the sentencing of Amado Herrera Reyes, who had previously pleaded guilty to several sexual offenses on Monday, November 20, 2023. Reyes faced charges including gross sexual imposition, pandering obscenity involving a minor or impaired person, illegal use of a minor or impaired person in nudity-oriented material or performance, endangering children, and tampering with evidence.
The sentencing hearing, conducted remotely via video, the Defendant represented by Attorney Liz Jones, with Assistant Prosecutor Michael Callow representing the State of Ohio.
After considering statements from both the defense and prosecution, along with any relevant investigation reports and victim impact statements, Judge Stimpert made several determinations regarding Reyes’ sentencing:
Residential Sanctions:
Gross Sexual Imposition (18 months): Reyes was sentenced to eighteen months incarceration under the authority of the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction.
Pandering Obscenity Involving a Minor or Impaired Person (8-12 years): Reyes received a sentence ranging from a minimum of eight years to a maximum of twelve years incarceration.
Illegal Use of a Minor or Impaired Person in Nudity-Oriented Material or Performance (6-9 years): Reyes was sentenced to a term ranging from a minimum of six years to a maximum of nine years incarceration.
Endangering Children (6-9 years): Reyes received a sentence ranging from a minimum of six years to a maximum of nine years incarceration.
Tampering with Evidence (30 months): For this offense, Reyes was sentenced to thirty months incarceration.
Sentencing Considerations:
The court deemed consecutive sentences necessary for Counts One, Three, Nine, and Thirteen, citing the seriousness of the conduct and the danger posed by the defendant.
Reyes’ aggregate sentence totaled twenty-one and a half years to a maximum of twenty-four and a half years.
Reyes’ will be classified as a Tier II Sex Offender and is required to register his residence, place of employment and higher education every 180 days for Twenty-Five (25) years.
Post-release control terms were outlined, along with sex offender registration requirements and financial sanctions.
Reyes was granted credit for time served and was remanded to the custody of the Ashland County Sheriff’s Office for transportation to a state penal receiving institution.
Leo Timothy Hoffman Jr., 43, a Ashland County resident, finds himself in the Ashland County Sheriff’s Office Jail after a grand jury handed down a fifty-count indictment for Pandering Sexually-Oriented Matter Involving a Minor or Impaired Person.
Hoffman is no stranger to Law Enforcement, having been charged and convicted in November 2021 for Pandering Obscenity Involving a Minor or Impaired Person, a felony of the 4th degree, which resulted in him being designated as a Tier II Sex Offender. Represented by Attorney R. Rolf Whitney during his previous case, Hoffman was sentenced to seven months of incarceration.
According to court records, Ashland County Sheriff’s Office Detective Crites initiated an investigation following reports of Hoffman possessing child pornography. Hoffman’s parole officer, Chad Campbell, provided Detective Crites with Hoffman’s tablet and phone, which were subsequently analyzed. Detective Crites documented the presence of child pornography on these devices, leading to the filing of fifty counts against Hoffman.
The charges, allege that Hoffman knowingly solicited, received, purchased, exchanged, possessed, or controlled material depicting minors engaging in sexual activity, masturbation, or bestiality. These actions, as outlined in Section 2907.322(A)(5), 2907.322(C) of the Ohio Revised Code, constitute a felony of the fourth degree. The indictment specifies that the offenses occurred on or about January 16, 2023, within Ashland County, Ohio.
With a bond set at $25,000.00, Hoffman faces the prospect of a lengthy prison sentence. A trial date has been scheduled for May 7, 2024, at 08:30 AM, Law enforcement agencies and prosecutors continue to prioritize investigations and prosecutions aimed at safeguarding vulnerable individuals from harm.
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Joe Lyons •
February 20, 2024
The Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force is offering a reward for information which would lead to the capture of fugitive Earl Whipple. Whipple is wanted by the U.S. Marshals Service and the Richland County Sheriff’s Office for rape. Whipple, 49, is described as a white male with brown hair and hazel eyes, standing 5 feet 8 inches tall. Whipple has ties to the cities of Mansfield, Shelby Ohio, and High Springs Florida.
The Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force is offering a reward for information which would lead to the capture of fugitive Raphael Martinez. Martinez is wanted U.S. Marshals Service and the Richland County Sheriff’s Office for a bond violation on the original charges of trafficking in fentanyl. He is also wanted by the Ohio Adult Parole Authority on a parole violation on the original charge of rape. Martinez, 39, is described as a Hispanic male with bald hair and brown eyes, standing 5 feet 8 inches tall. Martinez has ties to the cities of Mansfield and Cleveland.
The Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force is offering a reward for information which would lead to the capture of fugitive Calvin Brooks. Brooks is wanted by the U.S. Marshals Service and the Richland County Sheriff’s Office on a probation violation on the original charge of aggravated burglary (F1). Brooks, 52, is described as a black male with black hair and brown eyes, standing 5 feet 9 inches tall. Brooks has ties to the city of Mansfield.
During a February roundtable discussion at Ashland University’s Dauch College of Business and Economics, Ohio Lt. Governor Jon Husted announced AU has been awarded approximately $200,000 in grants to expand its Ohio Teacher Bootcamp Program later this year. The program serves as a way to build bridges and make connections between educators and local businesses so that educators can learn about the in-demand skills needed to be successful in today’s workforce and help better prepare students for career readiness upon graduation.
UPDATE — February 21 – Bucyrus Post investigating fatal crash on U.S. Route 23 in Wyandot County
On February 12, 2024, Hon. David R. Stimpert, Judge of the Common Pleas Court of Ashland County, Ohio, presided over the sentencing of Amado Herrera Reyes, who had previously pleaded guilty to several sexual offenses on Monday, November 20, 2023. Reyes faced charges including gross sexual imposition, pandering obscenity involving a minor or impaired person, illegal use of a minor or impaired person in nudity-oriented material or performance, endangering children, and tampering with evidence.
Leo Timothy Hoffman Jr., 43, a Ashland County resident, finds himself in the Ashland County Sheriff’s Office Jail after a grand jury handed down a fifty-count indictment for Pandering Sexually-Oriented Matter Involving a Minor or Impaired Person.