Norwalk – The Norwalk Post of The Ohio State Highway Patrol is investigating a single vehicle fatal crash that occurred Tuesday May 30, 2023 at 4:39 AM on State Route 61 north of Egypt Road in Greenfield Township, Huron County.
Milan Hiteshbhai Patel, age 30, of Amherst Ohio, was driving a white 2014 Toyota Camry northbound on State Route 61 and travelled off the right side of the road. The vehicle struck a ditch, traffic sign, and tree.
Mr. Patel was not wearing a safety belt and was trapped in the vehicle. He was extricated by mechanical means. He died as a result of injuries sustained in the crash. There were no passengers in the vehicle and no other vehicles were involved.
It is unknown if alcohol or drugs were a factor in the crash. The crash remains under investigation.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol was assisted by the Huron County Sheriff’s Office, Willard Fire and Rescue, Fairfield Fire and Rescue, The Huron County Coroner’s Office, Wilcox Towing, and the Ohio Department of Transportation.
Marion – Troopers from the Marion Post are investigating a serious injury crash that occurred on May 29, 2023, at approximately 3:07 PM, on N. Main Street at Fairground Street in the City of Marion.
The crash involved a 2021 Marion Police Ford Explorer, driven by Officer Daniel Ice, age 51, of Marion, Ohio. The second vehicle involved was a 2019 Ford F-550, Marion City ambulance, driven by Jacob Fohl, age 22, of Marion, Ohio. The passenger in the Marion City ambulance was Nicholas Hunley, age 24, of Marion, Ohio.
The preliminary investigation indicates Officer Ice was traveling northbound on N. Main Street. Mr. Fohl was traveling westbound on Fairground Street. Mr. Fohl traveled into the intersection and was struck by officer Ice on the driver side. The ambulance overturned and traveled off the northwest corner of the intersection before coming to rest on it’s side.
Both vehicles were in emergency response to a drowning incident at Quarry Park. The victim in the drowning incident was treated by EMS and transported to Marion General Hospital. He is reported to be in stable condition.
Officer Ice was transported from the scene by Marion Twp. Fire & EMS to Marion General Hospital, and was later flown by Med Flight to Riverside Hospital in Columbus, Ohio.
Mr. Fohl and Mr. Hunley were also transported from the scene by Marion Twp. Fire & EMS to Marion General Hospital and were treated for minor injuries.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol was assisted on scene by the Marion Police Department, the Marion County Sheriff’s Department, Marion Township Fire and EMS, Marion City Fire & EMS, and Ron’s Towing,
This afternoon, members of the Henderson Police Department, Henderson County Sheriff’s Office, and United States Marshals Service located wanted fugitive Bryan Gillespie.
Gillespie was wanted by the United States Marshal Service, and the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections after Gillespie escaped from Allen Correctional Facility in Lima, Ohio last week.
Gillespie escaped the facility with James Lee, and the two surfaced in Henderson, Kentucky last Wednesday after they were pursued by local police, and then crashed the car they were driving in near Hays Park in Henderson, Kentucky. Lee was apprehended shortly after the pursuit but Gillespie evaded police by fleeing on foot.
Local police and the United States Marshal Service quickly established a perimeter around the surrounding area where Gillespie fled, to include a peninsula that was surrounded by the Ohio river. Dozens of law enforcement officers from Indiana, Kentucky and Ohio responded to assist with the massive manhunt. After approximately 72 hours of relentlessly searching for Gillespie, the massive manhunt stopped, and a fugitive investigation started.
This afternoon Gillespie’s body was found floating in the Ohio river, near where he originally fled from police. The identification of Gillespie was confirmed through a physical inspection and tattoo confirmation.
*UPDATE – May 24 – 3:30 p.m.* Two Individuals Confirmed Missing from the Allen/Oakwood Correctional Institution
LIMA – The Ohio State Highway Patrol, Ohio Department of Rehabilitation & Correction (ODRC), United States Marshal Service (USMS), Henderson (Ky.) Police Department, Kentucky State Police, Henderson County (Ky.) Sheriff’s Office, Allen County Sheriff’s Office, and local, state, and federal law enforcement partners continue to work toward the apprehension of one of two inmates who escaped from the Allen/Oakwood Correctional Institution (AOCI) this week.
Yesterday evening, the Ohio State Highway Patrol released information to law enforcement agencies in multiple states on the escapees and the vehicle they were believed to be driving.
The vehicle, a red Mercury Capri stolen from Auglaize County, was located by officers from the Henderson Police Department earlier today, and a pursuit ensued. Following the pursuit, James Lee was taken into custody, but Bradley Gillespie was not apprehended. Law enforcement officers continue to saturate that area in search of the escaped inmate.
To support the work to locate Gillespie, the Ohio State Highway Patrol has deployed resources to the Henderson area. Troopers from the Patrol’s Aviation Unit will aid in the search from the air, and troopers from the Patrol’s Special Response Team will help on the ground under the authority of the USMS. Additionally, troopers from the Patrol’s Office of Investigative Services will be assisting with the criminal investigation. The apprehension of Gillespie remains the focus of all involved.
The Patrol continues to investigate how Lee and Gillespie escaped. The safety of the community in the area of AOCI remains the priority of local law enforcement, the Allen County Sheriff’s Office, the Ohio State Highway Patrol, and the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation & Correction. AOCI is operating with limited, controlled inmate movement and an internal investigation by ODRC is underway.
A reward of up to $21,000 remains in place for information that leads to the capture of Gillespie. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Findlay Patrol Post at 419-423-1414 or the USMS at 1-866-4WANTED. If encountered, members of the public should not approach Gillespie and should contact 9-1-1 immediately. Relevant updates will continue to be provided at @OSHP_NWOhio on Twitter.
Editor’s Note: Below is the joint media release released by the OSHP and ODRC on May 23.
LIMA – The Ohio State Highway Patrol and the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction are investigating after two inmates, Bradley Gillespie, 50, and James Lee, 47 escaped from the Allen/Oakwood Correctional Institution (AOCI) .
Today, during a prisoner count at 11:00 a.m., ODRC officials determined Lee was missing. Angela Stuff, AOCI warden, approved an emergency count of all prisoners in the facility and escape posts were manned. During the emergency count, it was discovered Gillespie was also missing. The ODRC notified law enforcement and officers from multiple jurisdictions, the Allen County Sheriff’s Office, and the Patrol responded to the facility.
During the course of the investigation, prison officials determined Gillespie and Lee were last observed on surveillance video inside the facility at 8:41 a.m. on May 22.
The Patrol continues to work with our local, state and federal law enforcement partners to investigate potential leads. The United States Marshal Service, Ohio State Highway Patrol and the Allen County Sheriff’s Office are offering up to a $21,000 dollar reward for information that leads to the capture of Gillespie and Lee.
Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Findlay Patrol Post at 419 -423-1414 or the United States
Marshal Service at 1-866-4WANTED. If either escapee is located by the public, do not approach them and contact 9-1-1 immediately.
ODRC is also conducting an internal investigation. Sheriff Matthew Treglia will provide an update to the community at 6 a.m. on May 24 at the Allen County Sheriff’s Office.
Relevant updates will be provided on Twitter at @OSHP_NWOhio.
Editor’s Note: Below is the original media release released by ODRC on May 23.
(Lima, Ohio) – Officials at the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction have confirmed that two individuals have escaped from the Allen/Oakwood Correctional Institution (AOCI). Below are the details regarding each individual who is confirmed missing.
Officials at the prison are working closely with local law enforcement on searching for and apprehending these individuals.
These individuals should be considered dangerous. Anyone who sees either of these individuals or has any information regarding their whereabouts should call 911 immediately.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol is on-site and leading the investigation. The attached escape flyer has been provided to local law enforcement.
(COLUMBUS, Ohio) — Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost today released the 2022 Ohio Missing Children Clearinghouse Report in recognition of National Missing Children’s Day, which occurs annually on May 25.
“Nothing terrifies a parent more than the thought of losing a child,” Yost said. “Thankfully, when a child goes missing, Ohio law enforcement rises to the task and often quickly reunites missing kids. My heart is with the parents whose child hasn’t yet come home.”
The clearinghouse documented 20,617 people missing in 2022 – 1,603 more than the year before. Of those, 15,555 were reports of missing children – 8,224 females and 7,331 males. Authorities reported that 96% – a total of 14,940 children – were recovered safely by year’s end. Open source data revealed that four children reported missing were found deceased in 2022.
The report details all missing persons entries for which circumstances were specified:
8,525 cases involved a runaway, where a child left a home without permission and stays away overnight.
34 cases involved abduction from a noncustodial parent, where a parent, other family member or another person acting on behalf of a parent keeps or conceals a child, depriving another individual of custody or visitation rights.
5 cases involved abduction by a stranger.
In 2022, Ohio law enforcement issued 11 AMBER Alerts through the Ohio AMBER Alert Plan and four Endangered Missing Child Alerts involving five children. Thankfully, all the children were recovered safely.
The Ohio Missing Persons Unit is housed within the Ohio Attorney General’s Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI), which operates the Missing Children Clearinghouse. As a part of BCI’s Criminal Intelligence Unit, the Missing Persons Unit coordinates resources, facilitates rapid responses to missing person cases and provides immediate access to important investigative tools. In addition to focusing on missing children, the Missing Persons Unit plays an integral role in cases and issues involved missing adults, human trafficking and unidentified human remains.
The Missing Persons Unit has a 24-hour toll-free hotline (800-325-5604) to field calls from law enforcement, parents and community members. The unit also maintains a database of Ohio missing persons.
(CINCINATTI, Ohio) — For a third straight season, Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost and Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron are teaming with the Cincinnati Reds to raise awareness of human trafficking in both states.
“Human trafficking knows no borders, and the criminals pushing this modern-day form of slavery don’t play by the rules,” Yost said. “With AG Cameron and the Reds, I’m proud to show Ohioans, Kentuckians and sports fans everywhere that we’re all on the same team in this battle to end human trafficking.”
Both attorneys general collaborated with the Reds to record a public service announcement (PSA) explaining some of the signs of sex and labor trafficking – and urging those who suspect a problem to report it.
The PSA began running Tuesday night on the scoreboard at Great American Ball Park, where it will remain as part of the pre-game rotation during homestands this season. Great American continues to provide a unique opportunity to engage both Ohio and Kentucky residents in the fight to eradicate human trafficking.
According to the Polaris Project, there were more than 16,500 trafficking victims and survivors nationwide in 2021, the latest year for which data is available.
Like AG Cameron in Kentucky, AG Yost has worked diligently in Ohio to combat human trafficking. Yost created the Human Trafficking Initiative (HTI) to build awareness of the problem and empower Ohioans to take action.
The regional human trafficking task forces of Yost’s Ohio Organized Crime Investigations Commission (OOCIC) have made 1,277 human trafficking-related arrests statewide since the commission began collecting annual data in 2019. As part of those efforts, OOCIC has also:
Fielded 2,440 tips.
Secured the indictment of 412 people on 2,113 counts.
Served 905 search warrants.
Made 510 rescues.
Referred 1,983 people to resources.
The Reds partnership is crucial to Yost’s efforts to partner with sports venues, which draw large crowds, to raise awareness of the scourge of human trafficking.
In March, both Nationwide Arena in Columbus and UD Arena at the University of Dayton partnered with Yost’s office on a poster campaign during the NCAA’s March Madness basketball tournament games. Last year, the Columbus Crew soccer team partnered with the attorney general on a PSA campaign at Lower.com field.
The Reds PSA lets baseball fans know that, contrary to popular belief, human trafficking can occur at any time and in any location. It also directs fans to report suspected human trafficking to local law enforcement or the National Human Trafficking Hotline (1-888-373-7888).
Berlin Township – The Sandusky Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol is investigating a vehicle vs. pedestrian fatal crash that occurred Sunday May 21, 2023 at 9:34 PM on SR 61 near Driver Road in the Township of Berlin, Erie County.
Unit #1: Kayla Klenk, age 23, of Huron, Ohio, was operating a black 2021 Toyota Corolla, and was northbound on SR 61 south of Driver Rd. Ms. Klenk struck a pedestrian that was in the northbound lane of SR 61. Ms. Klenk did not sustain any injuries. Ms. Klenk was not wearing a safety belt at the time of the crash.
Pedestrian: William Hildenbrand, age 80, of Berlin Heights, Ohio, was walking across SR 61 and was struck by Unit #1. Mr. Hildenbrand sustained fatal injuries as a result of the crash.
Alcohol and/or drugs are not considered a factor in the crash. The crash remains under investigation. Both lanes of SR 61 were closed for approximately 2 hours while the scene was investigated.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol was assisted on scene by the Erie County Sheriff’s Office, Berlin Township Fire and Rescue, North Central EMS, MetroHealth-Metro Life Flight and Wilson’s Towing.
The Department of Justice, FBI, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and other federal law enforcement agencies announced today the completion of a three-month campaign that disrupted networks used by foreign fraudsters to obtain fraud proceeds. Multiple law enforcement actions addressed conduct by individuals sometimes referred to as “money mules,” who have been providing critical services to fraudsters by receiving money from fraud victims and forwarding the fraud proceeds to the perpetrators (many of whom are based overseas). Some individuals knew they were facilitating fraud. Others first interacted with fraudsters as victims and may have been unaware that their activity furthered criminal activity.
Over approximately the last three months, law enforcement took over 4,000 actions against individuals responsible for facilitating a range of fraud schemes. These schemes included those that targeted consumers, such as lottery fraud and romance scams, as well as those that targeted businesses or pandemic funds.
The thousands of actions taken by law enforcement—which ranged from criminal prosecutions, to civil actions, to warning letters—were designed to punish those who knowingly assisted fraudsters and to advise those who may have been unknowingly helping fraudsters that their conduct furthered crime. These actions are intended to deter overseas fraudsters from relying on U.S.-based individuals to facilitate schemes, and thereby reduce the harm caused by foreign fraud operations.
This year’s effort marked the fifth U.S. law enforcement campaign disrupting these money transmitting networks. Since the first campaign, during which approximately 400 actions were taken by law enforcement, agencies have collectively taken over 12,000 actions. Investigations have shown that disrupting money transmitting networks has impeded fraudsters’ abilities to receive funds, thereby reducing fraud victimization. These campaigns are part of a global effort to tackle money transmitting networks linked to illegal activity.
“Law enforcement is committed to reducing fraud using every tool at our disposal. Our efforts to disrupt networks used to transfer fraud proceeds, to educate the public about elder fraud, and to prosecute those involved in these schemes have stymied fraudsters,” said Associate Attorney General Vanita Gupta. “This initiative demonstrates what can be achieved through focused efforts and vigorous enforcement.”
“The money mule campaign was an effort to educate the public, disrupt criminal enterprises, and provide feedback to financial institutions who go to great lengths to implement anti-money laundering programs,” said Assistant Director Luis Quesada of the FBI’s Criminal Investigative Division. “The FBI values the partnership of DOJ Consumer Protection Branch, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and other federal agencies who work together to disrupt criminal enterprises conducting fraud and money laundering schemes.”
“Anyone can be approached to be a money mule, but criminals often target students, those looking for work, and those on dating websites,” said Eric Shen, Inspector in Charge of the Criminal Investigations Group. “When those individuals use the U.S. Mail to send or receive funds from fraudsters, Postal Inspectors are quick to step in and put a stop to money mule activities.”
This year’s effort was coordinated by the Department of Justice’s Consumer Protection Branch, the FBI, and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, which were joined by Homeland Security Investigations, the Department of Labor Office of Inspector General, and the Small Business Administration Office of Inspector General. Participating agencies collectively served over 4,000 letters warning individuals that their activities are facilitating fraud. These letters outlined the potential consequences for continuing to transmit illegally acquired funds. Participating agencies also filed twelve civil or administrative actions. Additionally, more than 25 individuals were criminally charged for knowingly receiving and forwarding victim funds or otherwise laundering fraud proceeds.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District Massachusetts charged a defendant for using his accounting and “virtual CFO” business as a front to launder the proceeds of internet fraud schemes. As part of the alleged conspiracy, the defendant created dozens of shell companies and used those shell companies to open business bank accounts in Rhode Island and Massachusetts, through which the defendant laundered the criminal proceeds for his clients in exchange for fees. In total, since 2019, the defendant is alleged to have opened approximately 80 bank accounts (purportedly on behalf of 65 different companies), laundering approximately $35 million.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of North Carolina charged an individual for facilitating an international, multi-million-dollar tech support fraud. The indictment alleged that the defendant agreed to obtain payment-processing services in his name to process victim payments and laundered the proceeds domestically and internationally to bank accounts located in India, receiving three percent of the revenue in return.
The U.S. Attorney’s Offices for the Central District of California and the District of Nebraska charged individuals who, despite warnings from law enforcement, continued facilitating fraud. In the Central District of California, an individual was charged for her role in receiving funds from fraud victims, including victims of business email compromises. According to the charges, the defendant opened 11 bank accounts at seven separate financial institutions in furtherance of the scheme. In the District of Nebraska, two individuals were charged for facilitating a lottery fraud scheme, including by receiving cashier’s checks in the mail.
Criminal charges are merely allegations. Defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
As in past years, participating agencies are working to raise awareness about how fraudsters recruit and use individuals to assist their fraud operations. Federal agencies conducted outreach to the public and industry, and also expanded partnerships with local, state, and foreign law enforcement agencies. The Commodities Futures Trading Commission released a public awareness message about how fraudsters use and recruit people to facilitate romance fraud and “wrong number” text message scams, where fraudsters strike up conversations touting their wealth and success in trading crypto assets, over-the-counter foreign currency, or gold contracts to try and convince consumers to “invest” in crypto assets.
The agencies involved in this effort urge consumers to be on the lookout for signs someone is trying to recruit them to receive and transmit fraud proceeds. Do not agree to receive money or checks mailed to you or sent to your bank account for someone you have met over the phone or online. Do not open a bank or cryptocurrency account at someone else’s direction. Fraudsters will lie to persuade you to help them. They may falsely tell you that they are helping you get a lottery prize, initiate a purported romantic relationship and then tell you that they need money, or pretend to offer you a job, an opportunity to invest in a business venture, or the chance to help in a charitable effort.
For more information on this initiative, please visit https://www.justice.gov/civil/consumerprotection-branch/money-mule-init….
Information about the Department of Justice’s Elder Fraud Initiative is available at www.justice.gov/elderjustice. If you or someone you know is age 60 or older and has been a victim of financial fraud, help is available at the National Elder Fraud Hotline: 1-833-FRAUD-11 (1-833-372-8311).
Norwalk- The Norwalk Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol is investigating a two-vehicle intersection crash that occurred on Monday May 22, 2023 at 4:02 PM at the intersection of US Highway 20 and State Route 4 in Lyme Township, Huron County, Ohio.
Jeannette Waibel, age 58, of Willard, Ohio, was driving a 2010 gray Buick sedan southbound on State Route 4. Oleg Gubenya, age 61, of Pleasant Hope,Missouri, was driving a beige 2021 Vovlo Semi westbound on US Highway 20. As Jeannette Waibel entered the intersection, she was struck by Oleg Gubenya’s semi. Both vehicles came to final rest in the roadway.
Oleg Gubenya was wearing his safety belt and reported no injuries as a result of the crash.
Jeannette Waibel was wearing her safety belt and was trapped within the sedan. She was freed by mechanical means and was flown by Mercy Health LifeFlight to Mercy Health St. Vincent Medical Center.
It is unknown if alcohol or drugs were a factor in the crash at this time. The crash remains under investigation.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol was assisted by the Huron County Sheriff’s Office, Bellevue Fire Department, North Central EMS, Mercy Health LifeFlight, Ohio Department of Transportation, Interstate Towing, and Madison Towing.
Joe Lyons •
May 30, 2023
Marion – Troopers from the Marion Post are investigating a serious injury crash that occurred on May 29, 2023, at approximately 3:07 PM, on N. Main Street at Fairground Street in the City of Marion.
This afternoon, members of the Henderson Police Department, Henderson County Sheriff’s Office, and United States Marshals Service located wanted fugitive Bryan Gillespie.
Gillespie escaped the facility with James Lee, and the two surfaced in Henderson, Kentucky last Wednesday after they were pursued by local police, and then crashed the car they were driving in near Hays Park in Henderson, Kentucky. Lee was apprehended shortly after the pursuit but Gillespie evaded police by fleeing on foot.
*UPDATE – May 24 – 3:30 p.m.* Two Individuals Confirmed Missing from the Allen/Oakwood Correctional Institution
Norwalk- The Norwalk Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol is investigating a two-vehicle intersection crash that occurred on Monday May 22, 2023 at 4:02 PM at the intersection of US Highway 20 and State Route 4 in Lyme Township, Huron County, Ohio.