(AKRON, Ohio) — Armed with a cutting-edge facial reconstruction of a John Doe whose remains were found in Akron eight years ago, Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost and Summit County Medical Examiner Dr. Lisa Kohler today renewed a public call for help in identifying the man.
Under a partnership between the Attorney General’s Bureau of Criminal Investigation and The Ohio State University, experts in forensic art and 3D imaging created the photo-realistic renderings in hopes that someone recognizes the man and comes forward with information that could help identify him.
“You’re given a name on your first day, and it should live on after your last day,” Yost said. “Help us do right by this man: If his face looks familiar, please tell us what you know.”
The technology shows what a person may have looked like at different ages and with different features, including eye color, skin tone and hairstyle – a technique that increases the chances of someone recognizing the person.
“I am hopeful that the variety of digital images created with this new technology will help us to identify this person and allow us to give his family closure regarding his whereabouts,” Dr. Kohler said. “I am grateful to all the people involved in this process for their ongoing support in helping us to resolve this case.”
The digital reconstruction is one of several created recently by BCI and OSU’s Office of Academic Affairs Digital Learning and the university’s Advance Computing Center for the Arts and Design. In this case, the images were based on 3D scans of a clay model sculpted in 2017 by BCI’s forensic artist.
The case dates to Jan. 8, 2016, when a passerby found the man’s skull on a sidewalk outside a burned-out house at 1345 Marcy St. in Akron. Investigators located more of the man’s remains inside the abandoned home.
Burn marks suggest that the remains had been at the address since at least 2012, when a fire damaged the structure. Along with the remains, authorities recovered clothing, a belt, shoes, keys and part of a dental appliance.
The man is believed to have been Caucasian, 5 feet 9 inches tall, and between 30 and 55 years old. His cause of death is unknown, and investigators are unsure how his skull ended up on the sidewalk.
Anyone with information about the case should contact BCI at 740-845-2406 or the Akron Police Department at 330-375-2490.
(COLUMBUS, Ohio) — Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost, together with state Reps. Brian Stewart and Phil Plummer and Executive Director Lou Tobin of the Ohio Prosecuting Attorneys Association, today announced the introduction of legislation to permit the use of nitrogen hypoxia as a method for carrying out the death penalty.
The bill is aimed at kickstarting the state’s stalled capital-punishment system.
“There must be accountability for offenders convicted of the most heinous crimes and prisoners who continue to flout the law behind bars,” Yost said. “The pursuit of justice is a journey, and closure remains elusive for victims’ families until a sentence is fully executed. Ensuring that the consequences align with the severity of an offense is essential to providing solace to grieving relatives.”
Nitrogen hypoxia drew national attention last week when Alabama used this method to carry out the death sentence of murderer Kenneth Eugene Smith – the first state to employ nitrogen, a colorless and odorless gas, in an execution. With this procedure, a condemned inmate breathes only nitrogen, leading to oxygen deprivation, which results in rapid unconsciousness and death.
Ohio last carried out an execution by lethal injection on July 18, 2018, more than five years ago. Multiple reprieves have been granted, in part due to the reluctance of pharmaceutical suppliers to provide lethal injection drugs to the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction for executions.
Attorney General Yost hopes that nitrogen — widely available and easily sourced — can break the impasse of unavailability of drugs for lethal injection.
Under the new legislation — sponsored in the House by Stewart, R-Ashville, and Plummer, R-Dayton — manufacturers, suppliers, and distributors that provide lethal injection drugs to the state would receive indefinite confidentiality, instead of the current two-year confidentiality. Suppliers of nitrogen for executions would receive similar confidentiality.
“As long as capital punishment remains the law in Ohio, the law should be followed – and duly enacted sentences should be carried out to give victims’ families the justice and finality they deserve,” Stewart said. “Providing an additional method for carrying out capital punishments is necessary to ensure Ohio can continue to impose these sentences in response to the most heinous crimes committed in our state.”
Added Plummer: “By using nitrogen hypoxia, we are giving the system an additional resource for holding accountable those who have committed heinous crimes. It is time that we stop postponing executions and give the families of victims the closure that they deserve.”
Tobin echoed those thoughts.
“We will continue to work to ensure that the death penalty is fair, that it is accurate, and that defendants receive the due process that they deserve,” he said. “We want fairness and justice for the victims also. This legislation is about providing closure for victims and for their families.”
Yost highlighted shortcomings in the state’s capital-punishment system in the “2022 Capital Crimes Report,” released last year. An annual mandate under state law, the report provides a procedural history and other details on every case resulting in a death sentence since 1981, the year Ohio reinstated the death penalty.
From 1981 to Jan. 30, 2024, a total of 336 criminals convicted in Ohio received a combined 341 death sentences, the report said. Only 56 sentences — one in six — have been carried out.
In releasing the report, Yost emphasized the need to broaden the death-penalty conversation and give a voice to victims’ families. Among those he has engaged in the discussion is Norman Stout, husband of Mary Jane Stout, who was murdered by David Stumpf during a May 1984 robbery near the couple’s home in New Concord, Ohio.
The Stouts allowed Stumpf and Clyde Wesley into their home to use their phone. While Wesley ransacked the house, Stumpf shot Mr. Stout twice in the head, leaving him seriously wounded, and then shot Mrs. Stout four times, killing her.
Mr. Stout, now 93, has been seeking justice for his wife for nearly four decades, only to see Stumpf’s execution postponed several times. Mr. Stout has said he plans to witness Stumpf’s execution — currently scheduled for Aug. 13, 2024 — but he worries that his advanced age might preclude him from seeing justice prevail.
An Ohio man was sentenced yesterday to 216 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for attempting to burn down a church because of its support for the LGBTQ+ community.
Aimenn D. Penny, 20, of Alliance, Ohio, was arrested and charged last year with one count of violating the Church Arson Prevention Act, one count of using fire to commit a federal felony, one count of malicious use of explosive materials, and one count of possessing a destructive device. On Oct. 23, 2023, Penny pleaded guilty to the church arson hate crime and using fire and explosives to commit a felony.
According to court documents, on March 25, 2023, Penny made Molotov cocktails and drove to the Community Church of Chesterland (CCC), in Chesterland, Ohio. Angered by the church’s plan to host two drag events the following weekend, Penny threw two Molotov cocktails at the church, hoping to burn it to the ground. Through Penny’s guilty plea, he admitted to using force through fire and explosives, intending to obstruct CCC congregants in their enjoyment and expression of their religious beliefs.
“This sentence holds Mr. Penny accountable for carrying out violence against an Ohio church because he disagreed with the way congregants chose to express their beliefs,” said Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the Justice Department’s National Security Division.
“Such acts of extremist violence have no place in our communities and the Justice Department is committed to bringing to justice those who would use or threaten violence to prevent their fellow citizens from freely exercising their fundamental rights.”
“We hope this significant sentence sends a clear and resounding message that this type of hate-fueled attack against a church will not be tolerated in our country,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “This defendant tried to burn down a church simply because its members created space for and provided support to the LGBTQ+ community. The Justice Department will vigorously investigate and prosecute such senseless, bias-motivated violence against people exercising their constitutionally protected right to practice their religion and express their beliefs.”
“Aimenn Penny will spend the next 18 years in prison because he committed crimes fueled by hate, attempting to burn down a church because its members supported the LGBTQI+ community,” said U.S. Attorney Rebecca C. Lutzko for the Northern District of Ohio. “Hate crimes like Penny’s hurt not only the individual target, but the entire community, causing people to fear attack based on who they love and undermining the sense of safety within places of worship. Violent, bias-motivated extremism has no place in our country, and our office will aggressively prosecute those who commit such crimes.”
“Aimenn Penny is being held accountable for trying to burn down a house of worship because he disagreed with the church hosting certain events,” said Executive Assistant Director Larissa L. Knapp of the FBI’s National Security Branch. “Individuals who commit acts of violence, destroy property, and interfere with the free exercise of religion will face justice for those crimes. As in this case, the FBI, together with our law enforcement partners, will use our lawful authorities to protect our communities from such violence, and ensure those responsible pay the price.”
The FBI Cleveland Field Office investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Brian Deckert and Matthew W. Shepard for the Northern District of Ohio, Trial Attorneys Jacob Warren and Justin Sher of the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section, and Trial Attorney Eric Peffley of the Civil Rights Division’s Criminal Section prosecuted the case.
President Biden Proclaims the Importance of Recognizing Stalking as a Serious Issue
In a bid to increase awareness and combat the alarming rates of stalking in the United States, President Biden has officially declared January 2024 as National Stalking Awareness Month. This proclamation aims to shed light on the prevalence of stalking and its devastating effects, while also encouraging victims to come forward and seek support.
According to a report from the Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS), approximately 1.3% of Americans aged 16 and older, translating to 3.4 million people, were victims of stalking in 2019. While these numbers have slightly declined from 1.5% in 2016, it is crucial to realize that stalking remains a pervasive issue in society.
Traditionally, stalking is characterized by the perpetrator following and monitoring their victims. However, with the advancement of technology, stalking now extends beyond physical presence. Unwanted phone calls, messages, emails, and internet messages have become common methods employed by stalkers. It is essential to acknowledge that both traditional and technological methods of stalking can have harrowing psychological effects on the victims.
Although stalking affects individuals of all genders, statistics reveal that women are victims of stalking more than twice as often as men. It is important to note that these figures reflect reported incidents, and the actual number of male victims might be underrepresented due to societal expectations and stereotypes. Addressing this gender disparity and ensuring equal support for all victims is imperative in combating stalking effectively.
Research indicates that individuals aged 18 to 24, mainly college students, experience the highest rates of stalking. This places students on college and university campuses at a heightened risk of becoming victims. Shockingly, most college students are stalked by someone they know, often fellow students. Educational institutions can play a vital role in preventing and addressing stalking incidents through comprehensive campus programs and thorough investigations.
Despite the prevalence of stalking, a significantly low percentage of victims choose to report the crime to the police. In 2019, only 29% of stalking victims reported their victimization. Many victims cited a lack of importance or urgency as the reason for not reporting. It is crucial to educate victims about the potential dangers associated with stalking and empower them to report incidents promptly.
Legal definitions of stalking vary across jurisdictions, but it is generally characterized as a pattern of behavior directed at a specific person that would cause fear in a reasonable individual. Stalking is considered a crime in all 50 states and at the federal level, emphasizing its dangerous and potentially lethal nature. Recognizing stalking as a serious offense is essential in enforcing the appropriate legal measures to protect victims and prevent further harm.
As we observe National Stalking Awareness Month in January 2024, it is crucial for individuals, communities, and institutions to rally together against this pervasive issue. By promoting awareness, providing support to victims, and holding stalkers accountable, we can strive towards a society free from the fear and harm caused by stalking.
Stalking is a serious crime that affects millions of individuals in the United States. As President Biden proclaims January 2024 as National Stalking Awareness Month, it is our collective responsibility to acknowledge the prevalence of stalking and work towards ending this alarming behavior. By fostering awareness, providing support to victims, and implementing effective prevention measures, we can create a safer environment for all.
(COLUMBUS, Ohio) — Legislation proposed by Attorney General Dave Yost and introduced this week in the Ohio Senate seeks to protect children from ill-intentioned users of artificial intelligence.
Senate Bill 217, sponsored by Sens. Louis Blessing and Terry Johnson, targets the spread of AI-generated child pornography, a flagrant misuse of the technology that remains largely unregulated.
“Child pornography has long been outlawed in Ohio, but the unchecked rise of AI has created a gray area for predators to fuel their sick fantasies,” Yost said. “We need to act quickly to protect Ohio’s children by expanding existing child pornography laws to cover artificial intelligence.”
The legislation sponsors echoed the Attorney General’s urgency.
“Artificial intelligence is a powerful tool that can unfortunately be used in harmful and obscene ways,” Sen. Blessing said. “This legislation seeks to protect the safety and privacy of all Ohioans, especially our children, from misuse of this new technology.”
Added Sen. Johnson: “Protecting Ohio’s most vulnerable – our children – is more important than ever in a rapidly changing world. This bill creates safeguards for the use of AI, prioritizing the security of all Ohioans in a digital world.”
The measure would:
Make it a third-degree felony to create or distribute “simulated obscene material,” including depictions of minors. Buying or possessing such materials would be a fourth-degree felony.
Require content created by AI to include a distinct watermark, ensuring that viewers can distinguish between real and artificial materials. Removal of the watermark could result in civil action from the Attorney General or private citizens.
Mandate that online platforms and other content hosts take down AI-generated child pornography within 24 hours of being contacted by the Attorney General. A civil penalty of up to $1,000 per day could be levied against those who fail to remove the materials.
Criminalize the unauthorized use of modified or fabricated versions of a person’s voice or likeness for malicious purposes.
Currently, ill-intentioned users of AI technology can create images of child sex abuse by simply typing a short description of what they want to see. The technology can superimpose the face of one person onto the body of another, creating deepfake images that combine photos of victimized children with photos of otherwise unvictimized children.
In September, Yost and every other state attorney general in the nation urged Congress to act swiftly to address the “new frontier for abuse” created by artificial intelligence.
(Columbus) – The Ohio AMBER Alert Advisory Committee is announcing a recent change to how the public will receive notifications when Ohio’s AMBER Alert system is activated. Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEAs), which are emergency messages that are broadcast to enabled mobile devices, are now capable of transmitting 360-character text messages in addition to the traditional 90-character text messages. This change is due to increased technology by both wireless carriers and wireless device manufacturers.
Traditional 90-character messages are limited to including basic vehicle information and notification for device users to check local media outlets for additional details. The increase in characters allows public safety officials to provide more in-depth details on the suspect(s), victim(s), vehicle(s), and other urgent information when an AMBER Alert is activated. Furthermore, the changes enable a URL that redirects the device user to Ohio’s AMBER Alert website or other social media for additional information. Once redirected, the user will be able to see all information regarding the AMBER Alert as well as any available photos.
An important fact to remember is that some older wireless devices or certain wireless carriers may only allow devices to receive 90-character messages. Both a 90-character message and a 360-character message will be sent out during an AMBER Alert notification; however, users will only receive the version of the alert supported by their device and carrier. Devices that are not capable of receiving the new 360-character message will automatically receive the default 90-character message as they have in the past.
An example of the new 360-character messaging format wireless device users can expect to see is below:
AMBER Alert: Columbus OH. 2008 red 4 door Honda Civic OH ABC1234. Victim, 3, white male, brown hair, blue shirt, blue shorts. Suspect, John Doe, 41, white male, blonde hair, red shirt, jeans. Last seen at 1234 Main Street, Columbus. If you see the child, suspect or vehicle, please call 911 or 1-877-AMBER-OH. https://www.ohioamberplan.org
The Ohio AMBER Alert Advisory Committee is comprised of representatives from the Ohio Emergency Management Agency, Ohio State Highway Patrol, Ohio Department of Transportation, Attorney General’s Office – BCI, Missing Persons Unit, State Emergency Communications Committee, Buckeye State Sheriff’s Association, Ohio Association of Chief’s of Police, Ohio Association of Broadcasters, a victim’s advocate, a community member and a representative from a local/regional AMBER plan.
Milan Twp – The Ohio State Highway Patrol’s Sandusky Post is investigating a two-vehicle crash that occurred on Monday January 22, 2024 at approximately 6:48 AM. The crash was on US 250 just south of SR 113 in Milan Township, Erie County.
Shawn Martz, age 36, of Norwalk, Ohio, was driving a 2012 GMC Pick-Up truck and was travelling northbound on US 250. He was wearing his safety belt at the time of the crash and was transported to Fisher Titus Emergency Room in Norwalk with unknown injuries.
Michael Opfer, age 60, of Sandusky, Ohio, was driving a 2020 Chevy SUV and was travelling southbound on US 250. He was not wearing his safety belt at the time of the crash and was pronounced deceased at the scene.
Shawn Martz was northbound on US 250. Michael Opfer was southbound on US 250 and went left of center striking Shawn Martz, causing him to go off the west side of the roadway and strike a cement barrier.
No charges have been filed and the crash remains under investigation.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol was assisted by the Erie County Sheriff’s Office, Milan Police Department, the Ohio Department of Transportation, and Wilson’s Towing.
Marion – Troopers from the Marion Post of the Ohio Highway Patrol are investigating a fatal crash that occurred on January 20, 2024, at approximately 12:21 PM, on US23 at Newmans Cardington Road, in Marion County.
The crash involved a 2003 Lincoln Town Car driven by Richard A. Roads, age 94, of Marion, Ohio. The second vehicle involved was a 2024 Kenworth T680 semi-truck driven by Michael Duane Arnold, age 63, of Frankfort, Ohio.
The preliminary investigation indicates Mr. Arnold was traveling southbound on US23 in the left lane. Mr. Roads was also traveling southbound on US23 in the right lane, approaching the intersection of Newmans Cardington Road.
Mr. Roads attempted to turn left onto Newmans Cardington Road from the right lane and was struck by Mr. Arnold’s semi. Mr. Roads traveled off the left side of the roadway after impact and struck a traffic sign and a ditch before coming to final rest.
Mr. Arnold also traveled off the left side of the road and struck a ditch and overturned before it entered the northbound lanes of US23 where it came to rest.
Mr. Roads was transported from the scene by Fort Morrow EMS to Marion General Hospital, and from there was transported to Riverside Methodist Hospital in Columbus, Ohio. Mr. Roads was later pronounced deceased.
Mr. Arnold sustained minor injuries and was transported from the scene by Marion Township EMS to Marion General Hospital. Both occupants were wearing their seat-belts at the time of the crash.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol was assisted on scene by the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, Marion Township Fire and EMS, Fort Morrow Fire and EMS, Pleasant Township Fire and EMS, Ohio Department of Transportation, Liverpool Towing, and Precision Towing.
Erie Twp – The Sandusky Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol is investigating a single vehicle crash that occurred on Friday January 19, 2024 on State Route 2 just east of W. Camp Perry Western in Erie Township, Ottawa County. The time of the crash remains undetermined at this time.
Jeff Bauer, age 59, of Castalia, Ohio, was driving a 2013 Ford F-150, and was heading eastbound on SR 2 near W Camp Perry Western Rd. Mr. Bauer’s vehicle ran off the right side of SR 2 and continued through a farm field, paintball range, and into a tree line. His vehicle struck many paintball range obstacles and two trees before coming to rest.
Mr. Bauer was not wearing a safety belt at the time of the crash. Mr. Bauer died as a result of the crash.
Alcohol and/or drugs are not believed to be a factor in the crash. The crash remains under investigation.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol was assisted by the Ottawa County Sheriff’s Office, Erie Township EMS, Ottawa County Coroner’s Office, and Ken’s Towing.
(COLUMBUS, Ohio) — The leader of a human trafficking ring that operated in central Ohio has been sentenced to 14 years in prison, Attorney General Dave Yost announced today.
The sentencing of Marcus Carmon, 40, follows his guilty pleas in November to felony charges of compelling prostitution, having weapons under disability and possession of drugs. Carmon also must register as a Tier II sex offender after his release from prison.
Marcus Carmon
“Traffickers and their evil ways of manipulation have no place in a civilized society,” Yost said. “Removing them from our communities keeps everyone safer and clears a path for survivors to reach the Highway to Hope.”
A Franklin County grand jury indicted Carmon and two accomplices in August 2020 following an investigation by the Central Ohio Human Trafficking Task Force, part of the attorney general’s Ohio Organized Crime Investigations Commission.
The investigation revealed that Carmon targeted vulnerable women who were fighting addiction, exploiting them through prostitution for his financial gain. Evidence showed he used threats, drugs and physical violence to gain control and manipulate his victims.
Carmon’s co-defendant Bradley Powell was sentenced in 2022 to 708 days in prison with full credit for time served after pleading guilty to promoting prostitution. The second co-defendant, Anthony Dunn, pleaded guilty to promoting prostitution in 2020 and is awaiting sentencing. Attorneys with the Franklin County Prosecutor’s Office prosecuted the cases.
The Central Ohio Human Trafficking Task Force consists of representatives from the Columbus Division of Police, the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Investigations, the Delaware County Sheriff’s Office, the Fairfield County Sheriff’s Office, the Licking County Sheriff’s Office, the Powell Police Department, the Ohio State University Police Department, the Marysville Police Department, the Franklin County Prosecutor’s Office, the Delaware County Prosecutor’s Office, the Union County Prosecutor’s Office, Southeast Healthcare and the Salvation Army.
Joe Lyons •
February 1, 2024
(COLUMBUS, Ohio) — Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost, together with state Reps. Brian Stewart and Phil Plummer and Executive Director Lou Tobin of the Ohio Prosecuting Attorneys Association, today announced the introduction of legislation to permit the use of nitrogen hypoxia as a method for carrying out the death penalty.
(COLUMBUS, Ohio) — Legislation proposed by Attorney General Dave Yost and introduced this week in the Ohio Senate seeks to protect children from ill-intentioned users of artificial intelligence.
(Columbus) – The Ohio AMBER Alert Advisory Committee is announcing a recent change to how the public will receive notifications when Ohio’s AMBER Alert system is activated. Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEAs), which are emergency messages that are broadcast to enabled mobile devices, are now capable of transmitting 360-character text messages in addition to the traditional 90-character text messages. This change is due to increased technology by both wireless carriers and wireless device manufacturers.
Milan Twp – The Ohio State Highway Patrol’s Sandusky Post is investigating a two-vehicle crash that occurred on Monday January 22, 2024 at approximately 6:48 AM. The crash was on US 250 just south of SR 113 in Milan Township, Erie County.
Marion – Troopers from the Marion Post of the Ohio Highway Patrol are investigating a fatal crash that occurred on January 20, 2024, at approximately 12:21 PM, on US23 at Newmans Cardington Road, in Marion County.
Erie Twp – The Sandusky Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol is investigating a single vehicle crash that occurred on Friday January 19, 2024 on State Route 2 just east of W. Camp Perry Western in Erie Township, Ottawa County. The time of the crash remains undetermined at this time.
(COLUMBUS, Ohio) — The leader of a human trafficking ring that operated in central Ohio has been sentenced to 14 years in prison, Attorney General Dave Yost announced today.