Ridgefield Township– The Norwalk Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol is investigating a serious injury commercial vehicle rollover crash that occurred Thursday May 18, 2023 at 7:32 a.m. The incident occurred on US Route 20 near milepost 6 in the Township of Ridgefield, Huron County.
Renard Nelson, age 42, of Valrico, Florida was driving a 2016 Volvo tractor trailer westbound on US 20. Mr. Nelson traveled off the right side of the roadway, overturned, and struck a utility pole and two trees before coming to final rest.
Mr. Nelson was not wearing his safety belt at the time of the crash. He sustained serious injuries and was transported to Fisher Titus Medical Center by North Central EMS. Interstate Towing removed the vehicle from the scene.
Distracted driving and drugs appear to be factors in the crash. The crash remains under investigation.
Assisting agencies included: Huron County Sheriff’s Office, Huron River Joint Fire District, Monroeville Police Department, North Central EMS, Monroeville Road and Electrical Departments, and Interstate Towing.
It’s Just One Way That the Attorney General’s Office Serves Older Ohioans, Their Families
Older Americans Month in May is a time to celebrate the achievements and longevity of our elders, but just as important, Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost says, is reinforcing our collective responsibility to protect their dignity and keep them safe as they age.
“Not only does my office go after those who neglect, steal and abuse older Ohioans,” Yost said, “but we also work hard to help older adults who go missing return home safely to loved ones.”
Key to the latter efforts is the Endangered Missing Adult Alert program, which is administered by the attorney general’s Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI).
Using statewide emergency alerts, BCI works collaboratively with local law enforcement agencies to help find endangered older Ohioans who are reported missing. In many cases, the missing adults have dementia or other health challenges and could be in danger.
“A lot of Ohioans are probably familiar with the AMBER Alert system – which is used for endangered or abducted children, but far fewer may know that there’s a similar program to help locate older adults who are reported missing,” Yost said.
Like AMBER Alerts, Endangered Missing Adult Alerts rely heavily on the public’s help. Since Ohio implemented the program in 2008, the adult alerts – also like AMBER Alerts – have proved overwhelmingly effective.
Last year, for example, BCI issued 146 missing adult alerts based on requests from law enforcement agencies in 38 Ohio counties and two nearby states, West Virginia and New York. In all but one instance – a Dec. 7, 2022, alert issued in Clermont County – the missing older adult was either found by law enforcement or identified by the public, or returned home on his or her own.
According to the Clermont County alert, 72-year-old Thomas Mills left his residence on foot at 8 a.m. Dec. 6 and did not return. Mills, who is on the autism spectrum, has not been found, but the case remains under investigation.
So how does the Endangered Missing Adult Alert system work?
The process generally goes like this:
A local law enforcement agency receives a call about an older adult with cognitive challenges who has turned up missing.
The agency confirms, per the alert requirements under state law, that:
The missing adult is at least 65 years old or has a mental impairment, and/or has autism spectrum disorder or another developmental disability.
The individual’s disappearance poses a credible threat of immediate danger of serious bodily harm or death to the individual.
There is sufficient descriptive information about the individual and the circumstances surrounding his or her disappearance to indicate that an alert will help find the individual.
The agency initiates a search and reaches out to BCI to issue an Endangered Missing Adult Alert.
Additionally, a law enforcement agency can request that alerts be displayed on the Ohio Department of Transportation’s electronic billboards and highway message boards throughout the state. Likewise, the Ohio Turnpike can activate a license-plate reader system to help identify the missing adult’s vehicle.
Besides the Endangered Missing Adult Alert program, the Attorney General’s Office (AGO) also helps older Ohioans by investigating – upon request from local law enforcement agencies – cases of elder abuse.
Yost’s Elder Justice Unit is an essential resource for protecting Ohio’s elderly population. The unit – a collaborative efforts among the AGO’s Crime Victim Services, Consumer Protection, Health Care Fraud and Social Prosecutions sections and BCI – works to educate Ohioans about the warning signs and risks of financial exploitation. Elderly people, especially, are vulnerable to such crime.
For more information on the Elder Justice Unit, or to get support for a victim of abuse, neglect or financial exploitation, call 800-282-0515.
Marion – Troopers from the Marion Post are investigating a serious injury crash that occurred on May 13, 2023, at approximately 7:51 PM, on State Route 95 in Montgomery Township, Marion County.
The crash involved a 2016 Subaru WRX, driven by Johnny Arthur II, age 32 , of LaRue, Ohio. The preliminary investigation indicates that Mr. Arthur was traveling westbound on State Route 95. According to witnesses, a black BMW sport utility vehicle was overtaking the Subaru as an eastbound vehicle approached.
The BMW swerved into the westbound lane causing Mr. Arthur to travel off the right side of the roadway. M r. Arthur’s vehicle struck a driveway embankment and a house before overturning. His vehicle then struck a parked vehicle and a tree. During the crash, Mr. Arthur was ejected from the Subaru.
The black BMW did not remain at the scene.
Mr. Arthur was transported by Scioto Valley EMS to Marion General Hospital. Mr. Arthur was then taken by CareFlight to Grant Medical Center in Columbus, Ohio for further treatment.
A preliminary evaluation of evidence indicates that contact was made between the black BMW sport utility vehicle and the Subaru. Damage could be contained to the right side of the BMW. If you have any information regarding this investigation, plea se contact the Ohio State Highway Patrol at (740) 383-2181.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol was assisted on scene by the Scioto Valley Fire and EMS, Northern Union County Fire and EMS, Red Cross, and Kirby’s Towing.
According to the Social Security Administration Olivia and Liam are once again America’s most popular baby names in 2022.
Liam has topped the list for six years in a row, and Olivia has been the top choice for new parents for four years.
There is only one new name in the top 10, with Luna crawling into the top 10 for the first time.
Here are the top 10 boys’ and girls’ names for 2022:
Social Security began compiling the baby names list in 1997, with names dating back to 1880.
Each year, the list reveals the effect of pop-culture on naming trends.
Here are the top five fastest rising boys’ and girls’ names in 2022:
Visit www.ssa.gov/babynames to view the entire list and see where your name ranks now and over the past 100 years.
“Just like your name, Social Security is with you from day one. One of the first things parents do for their newborn is get them a Social Security number. That makes Social Security the ultimate source for the most popular baby names each year!” said Kilolo Kijakazi, Acting Commissioner of Social Security. “And just like a name, Social Security is with you through life’s journey.
A federal jury in Northern District of Ohio convicted Michael J. Zacharias, a priest, of five counts of sex trafficking. The charges related to three victims, two of whom Zacharias trafficked when they were minors and as adults. The evidence presented to the jury detailed how Zacharias paid the victims to engage in sex acts with him using the victims’ fear of serious harm to compel their compliance.
Specifically, the jury heard evidence of how Zacharias first met the victims when they were young boys, and he was a Seminarian at St. Catherine’s Catholic Parish school in Toledo, Ohio, and how Zacharias began grooming the boys for commercial sex acts, using his position as a priest and teacher to ingratiate himself with the boys and their families as a trusted friend, mentor and spiritual counselor. The defendant overcame the victims’ resistance to his eventual commercial sex overtures by gradually sexualizing conversations and conduct with them. At the same time, the victims were developing serious opiate addictions, using pain medication and, later, heroin. Zacharias waited to propose commercial sex until he knew the victims were so heavily involved in drug abuse that it was impacting their daily lives, physical and mental well-being and ability to maintain a stable school or work life.
The victims’ testimony explained how, in varying degrees, they submitted to Zacharias’ commercial sex solicitations because they feared the psychological harm of losing Zacharias as a father figure and friend, losing their connection to the Church and God, and suffering the painful symptoms of opioid withdrawal that could be alleviated with the money provided by Zacharias to purchase drugs. One victim in particular – the older brother of another victim – also explained how he feared Zacharias would sexually abuse his minor brother and others if he did not continue to comply with the defendant’s commercial sex solicitations.
“This defendant betrayed the victims in the most inhumane way,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “He robbed them of their childhood, their dignity and their faith. He inflicted cruel psychological harm, preying on their fears and forcing them to choose between submitting to commercial sex acts, or incurring the pain of losing a father figure or counselor, suffering withdrawal sickness, and risking sexual abuse of a loved one. The Justice Department will vigorously prosecute human trafficking crimes to hold offenders like Michael Zacharias accountable and bring justice to their victims.”
“This verdict sends a clear message to those who prey upon children by using positions of trust to further their crimes,” said First Assistant U.S. Attorney Michelle M. Baeppler for the Northern District of Ohio. “Our office will continue to protect our children by aggressively prosecuting child predators who engage in sex trafficking.”
“The defendant not only abused his victims, but also betrayed the trust placed in him by the congregation and those who dutifully serve parishes across the country,” said Special Agent in Charge Gregory Nelsen of the FBI Cleveland Field Office. “The FBI is committed to finding and investigating child predators, so no other people become victim to deceitful and abhorrent behavior.”
Sentencing has not yet been scheduled. Zacharias faces a fifteen-year mandatory minimum and lifetime maximum sentence. Restitution in this case is mandatory under the law.
Assistant Attorney General Clarke and First Assistant U.S. Attorney Baeppler made the announcement.
The Lima and Toledo Resident Agencies of the FBI Cleveland Field Office investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Tracey Tangeman for the Northern District of Ohio and Trial Attorney Lindsey Roberson of the Civil Rights Division’s Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit are prosecuting the case.
Medway Drug Enforcement Agency Releases Info on Raid in Wayne County
“What’s all the FUZZZZZ about??”
On May 11th, 2023 Agents from the MEDWAY Drug Enforcement Agency attempted to serve indictment on 22 people from a drug trafficking investigation in Wayne County. These indictments included Aggravated Trafficking in Methamphetamine, Fentanyl and Fentanyl Related Compounds, Trafficking in Cocaine, and Permitting Drug Abuse. Combined between the 22 people, 92 counts were filed in the indictments. In addition to the indictments, a search warrant was executed at 1474 N Honeytown Rd., Wooster, Wayne County, Ohio, related to Weapons Under Disability violations.
During the execution of the warrant an ambush device was located on an entry door of an outbuilding and was destroyed by SRT team members. Dozens of firearms, thousands of rounds of ammunition and US currency were seized as a result of the search warrant.
Without our partnerships we would not be able to do this, Medway was assisted by members of the, Wooster Police Department and their Community Impact Unit, Wayne County Sheriff Patrol and Corrections division, Ohio State Highway Patrol Special Response Team, Doylestown Police Department-Wayne County, Ohio, Apple Creek Police Department , Smithville Police Department, Orrville Police Department, Wayne County Probation Departments, Creston Police Department, Rittman Police, Village of Shreve Police Dept, Marshallville Police Department, FBI Safe Streets Task Force-Canton Office, and Dalton Police Department.
(COLUMBUS, Ohio) – Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and leaders from the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) and the Ohio Traffic Safety Office (OTSO), a division of The Ohio Department of Public Safety, are encouraged by new data that shows the state’s strengthened distracted driving law is making a positive impact on Ohio’s roadways.
“Ohio’s new law went into effect a little over a month ago, and it’s already making a difference,” said Governor DeWine. “I’m glad to see that Ohio drivers are making safety a priority and putting their phones down while they drive.”
The report from Cambridge Mobile Telematics (CMT), the world’s largest telematics service provider, shows Ohio drivers are now spending less time handling their phones while driving since the law went into effect on April 4, 2023. The law makes it illegal in most cases for drivers to use or hold a cell phone or electronic device. The violation is now considered a primary offense, meaning any officer can pull over a driver immediately if they witness a violation.
CMT’s data analysis shows a 9.1% reduction in distracted driving in Ohio since April 4 has helped prevent 540 crashes, one fatality, and $13 million in economic damages. In March, Ohio drivers spent an average of 1 minute and 39 seconds interacting with their phones for every hour of driving. From April 4 through May 3, Ohio drivers used their phones while driving 1 minute and 30 seconds, a 9-second drop.
“We are pleased that Ohio drivers are taking this new law seriously and beginning to change their behavior, but there is still more work to do,” said Emily Davidson, executive director of the Ohio Traffic Safety Office. “There is no acceptable level of distracted driving. This behavior is dangerous and puts everyone on the road at risk. The goal is for all drivers to put their phones down for the entire time they are behind the wheel.”
“States that pass hands-free laws typically see a decrease in hand-held phone use and crashes. This data shows we’re on the right track to making our streets and highways safer in Ohio,” said Michelle May, manager of ODOT’s Highway Safety Program. “I believe more Ohioans will choose to put their phones downs as they learn about the new law and the dangers of interacting with their screens while driving.”
A public awareness campaign is underway now to teach drivers about the new law. The “Phones Down. It’s The Law.” campaign includes television and radio ads, billboards, social media, and a new website at phonesdown.ohio.gov. The campaign will be active during the law’s 6-month grace period where The Ohio State Highway Patrol and local law enforcement will be issuing warnings as part of the effort to educate drivers. As of May 10 2023, over 2,100 campaign materials have been distributed to traffic safety partners across Ohio.
“We applaud The State of Ohio for their proactive approach to fight distracted driving and save lives on our roads,” said Ryan McMahon, SVP of Strategy for Cambridge Mobile Telematics. “We’ve seen again and again how hands-free legislation raises awareness around the dangers of distraction and helps reduce drivers’ phone use. We’re encouraged by the 9.1% reduction in distraction we’ve seen after one month of the law being implemented in Ohio and are proud to supply road safety planners with the resources and insights needed to evaluate its impact.”
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The Ohio Traffic Safety Office (OTSO), a division of the Ohio Department of Public Safety, focuses on a mission to save lives and reduce injuries on Ohio’s roads by using creative leadership, innovative education, and comprehensive enforcement programs. OTSO strives to work in partnership with local, state and federal entities to advance equity in highway safety programs, ensuring they benefit all road users in Ohio. Last year, OTSO awarded over $22 million in federal funds to 140 Ohio agencies for statewide programming to improve traffic safety and reduce traffic-related fatalities.
Hopewell Township – The Norwalk Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol is investigating a serious injury crash that occurred on May 10, 2023 at 3:53 PM. The incident occurred on S Township Road 119 south of Township Road 18 in Hopewell Township, Seneca County.
Sherri Hare, age 67, of McCutchenville, Ohio was driving a 1998 Buick Park Avenue southbound on S Township Road 119. Michael Taylor, age 44, of Tiffin, Ohio was walking with a bicycle southbound on the right pavement edge of S Township Road 119. Ms. Hare’s vehicle struck Mr. Taylor and the bicycle.
Mr. Taylor sustained incapacitating injuries and was flown by Mercy Health Life Flight to St. Vincent Medical Center in Toledo, Ohio. Ms. Hare was wearing a seat belt and was not injured in the crash.
Alcohol and drugs are not suspected as factors in the crash, which remains under investigation.
Assisting at the scene were Bascom Fire & EMS Department, Seneca County Sheriff’s Office, Mercy Health Life Flight, and Reinhart Auto Body.
Marion – Troopers from the Marion Post are investigating a fatal crash that occurred on May 9, 2023, at approximately 9:20 PM, on Prospect Upper Sandusky Road in Marion County.
The crash involved a 2006 Harley Davidson FLHX, driven by Gerald Lyman, age 45, of Prospect, Ohio. The preliminary investigation indicates Mr. Lyman was traveling southeast on Prospect Upper Sandusky Road when a deer entered the roadway.
Mr. Lyman struck the deer, causing the Harley Davidson to overturn. Mr. Lyman was ejected and landed in the roadway. The Harley Davidson traveled off the right side of the roadway, and struck an embankment before coming to rest.
Mr. Lyman was transported by Prospect Township EMS to Marion General Hospital where he was later pronounced deceased. He was not wearing a helmet at the time of the crash.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol was assisted on scene by the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, Pleasant Township Fire and EMS, Marion Township EMS, Green Camp Fire and EMS, and Ed’s 24 hour Towing and Recovery.
(COLUMBUS, Ohio) — For the first time, the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation has identified some confiscated drugs as “rainbow fentanyl,” the deadly colorful pills designed to resemble candy that drug traffickers are using to drive addiction among young people, Attorney General Dave Yost announced today.
“Do not be fooled by appearances – rainbow fentanyl is death disguised as candy,” Yost said. “The bottom line is this: If you’re taking a pill that wasn’t prescribed by your doctor, you can’t be certain of what you are consuming.”
In a report issued today to the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, BCI’s Drug Chemistry Laboratory said the 1,025 brightly colored pills recently seized by the sheriff’s as part of a Columbus-area drug-trafficking investigation are rainbow fentanyl.
“These particular pills originated in Mexico but were intercepted by the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office before they could be distributed,” Yost said. “A special thanks to Sheriff Baldwin’s Special Investigations Unit – keep up the good work.”
The criminal investigation remains ongoing.
“We’re certainly proud of the diligent work of our Special Investigations Unit and BCI’s lab,” said Chief Deputy Rick Minerd of the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office. “The sad reality is drug traffickers continue to stoop to all-time lows, marketing their deadly products to Americans of all ages for the sole purpose of monetizing addiction.”
BCI has previously identified fentanyl in multiple forms, including colored powders, and in combination with other drugs, in drugs seized during investigations. But this analysis marks the bureau’s first instance of rainbow fentanyl, which the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has warned is a deliberate effort by traffickers to mask deadly fentanyl in a form attractive to young Americans.
The deadly pills have been showing up in many states throughout the country.
Attorney General Yost urges Ohio law enforcement agencies to stay mindful of the hazards posed by fentanyl exposure. Law enforcement officers should use universal precautions and treat all drug evidence as if it were hazardous, as fentanyl exists in multiple forms and is increasingly seen in combination with other drugs.
Local agencies that need additional training or tools to safely identify fentanyl and other substances in the field, Yost said, can reach out to BCI for such resources.
BCI’s Crime Lab remains on the forefront of drug testing for Ohio law enforcement, providing accurate and timely analysis of evidence to agencies at no charge.
In 2022, BCI’s lab identified fentanyl in 9,151 items submitted by law enforcement, making up 22.1% of all drug analyses. Already in 2023, BCI’s lab has processed 2,306 items containing fentanyl.
Additionally, the lab continues to see analogs of fentanyl, including para-flouorfentanyl, which was found in 6.4% of all drug analyses conducted in 2022.
Joe Lyons •
May 18, 2023
Ridgefield Township– The Norwalk Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol is investigating a serious injury commercial vehicle rollover crash that occurred Thursday May 18, 2023 at 7:32 a.m. The incident occurred on US Route 20 near milepost 6 in the Township of Ridgefield, Huron County.
Marion – Troopers from the Marion Post are investigating a serious injury crash that occurred on May 13, 2023, at approximately 7:51 PM, on State Route 95 in Montgomery Township, Marion County.
Hopewell Township – The Norwalk Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol is investigating a serious injury crash that occurred on May 10, 2023 at 3:53 PM. The incident occurred on S Township Road 119 south of Township Road 18 in Hopewell Township, Seneca County.
Marion – Troopers from the Marion Post are investigating a fatal crash that occurred on May 9, 2023, at approximately 9:20 PM, on Prospect Upper Sandusky Road in Marion County.
(COLUMBUS, Ohio) — For the first time, the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation has identified some confiscated drugs as “rainbow fentanyl,” the deadly colorful pills designed to resemble candy that drug traffickers are using to drive addiction among young people, Attorney General Dave Yost announced today.