(LISBON, Ohio) — Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost today announced that the criminal charges filed against NewsNation reporter Evan Lambert have been dismissed.
The Ohio Attorney General’s Special Prosecutions Section was appointed by the Columbiana County Prosecuting Attorney to handle the charges filed in Columbiana County Municipal Court.
“My office has reviewed the relevant video and documentary evidence, and is dismissing the charges against Evan Lambert as unsupported by sufficient evidence.
“While journalists could conceivably be subject to criminal charges for trespassing in some situations, this incident is not one of them. The reporter was lawfully present at a press conference called by the Governor of the state. His conduct was consistent with the purpose of the event and his role as a reporter.”
Yost added that tensions were running high in the days following the derailment and that local officials appeared to be following the lead of the National Guard.
“Regardless of the intent, arresting a journalist reporting at a press conference is a serious matter,” Yost said. “Ohio protects a free press under its constitution, and state officials should remember to exercise a heightened level of restraint in using arrest powers.”
Lambert was charged with resisting arrest, a second-degree misdemeanor, and criminal trespass, a fourth-degree misdemeanor.
Operation North Star makes an impact in the city of Cleveland
Cleveland, Ohio– The U.S. Marshals Service has conducted the second phase of a high-impact fugitive apprehension initiative, Operation North Star II (ONS II), focusing on the country’s most violent offenders in 10 locations. The sites selected were Albuquerque, New Mexico; Buffalo, New York; Cleveland, Ohio; Columbus, Ohio; Detroit, Michigan; Jackson, Mississippi; Kansas City, Missouri; Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Oakland, California and Puerto Rico, each of which has seen a large increase in recent homicides and shootings.
This 30-day initiative resulted in the arrest of 145 fugitives and violent criminals in the Northern District of Ohio. Fugitive investigations happened across the city of Cleveland and even reached as far as southern California, where a Cleveland shooting suspect was arrested during the operation.
Operation North Star focused on those fugitives who were wanted for the most serious, violent, and harmful offenses such as homicide, forcible sexual assault, robbery, and aggravated assault. ONS II investigators prioritized their efforts to include individuals using firearms in their crimes, or who exhibited risk factors associated with violence.
“The U.S. Marshals Service remains steadfast in its commitment to assisting law enforcement and community leaders at all levels to combat violent crime.” said U.S. Marshals Service Director Ronald Davis. “The success of Operation North Star II is based on its laser focus on the most significant drivers of violence. We are confident that apprehending these offenders will bring a level of justice to their victims and contribute to the overall violence reduction efforts in each city.”
In Northern Ohio, 59 fugitives were arrested for assault, 20 for robbery, 17 for sex offenses, and 14 for homicide, and a total of 188 warrants were closed due to those arrests. Due to the focused efforts and the partnerships during this time, officers were able to take three times the number of violent fugitives off the streets compared to this time last year.
Although this operation was led by the U.S. Marshals Service, members of the Cleveland Division of Police, Cuyahoga County Sheriff’s Department, Ohio Adult Parole Authority, Ohio State Highway Patrol, Cuyahoga County Prosecutor’s Office, the U.S. Attorney’s Office, and Crime Stoppers of Cuyahoga County were instrumental in the success of this operation.
“I am thankful for the leadership of Pete Elliott and his team at the United States Marshals Service along with all of our partner law enforcement agencies for participating in this successful multi-agency effort,” said Cleveland Police Chief Wayne Drummond. “Members of law enforcement remain committed to working together to keep our neighborhoods safe, and a major part of that lies in removing violent offenders from our streets.”
In addition to focusing on putting fugitives behind bars, members of the NOVFTF and its partners also took time to meet with community leaders from across the city of Cleveland and engaged with a number of high school students to hear about the impact of violent crime in their communities.
“The safety of our residents is our number one priority,” stated Mayor Justin M. Bibb. “Operations like this are a great example of how we can leverage our partnerships and work collaboratively for a safer city. We are grateful for the hard work of everyone involved in this effort.”
While Operation North Star was running, the Northern District of Ohio opened a hotline to Fugitive Safe Surrender in Cuyahoga County. The Fugitive Safe Surrender hotline will remain open through February for persons with active felony warrants in Cuyahoga County who want to make arrangements to peacefully surrender and deal with their outstanding warrant.
U.S. Marshal Pete Elliott stated, “Northern Ohio has built a strong partnership over the years with both area law enforcement agencies and members of the community. Working together on this operation to focus on apprehending the most dangerous fugitives in our area has helped to make Cleveland safer for the people who live and work here. We appreciate everyone’s dedicated efforts to make this operation a success.”
Anyone with information concerning a wanted fugitive can contact the Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force at 1-866-4WANTED (1-866-492-6833), or you can submit a web tip. Reward money is available, and tipsters may remain anonymous.
Follow the U.S. Marshals on Twitter @USMSCleveland
GROVE CITY – The Columbus Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol is currently investigating a serious injury crash involving a trooper that occurred today at 10:44 a.m. on northbound Interstate 71 near state Route 665 in Grove City.
Trooper Adrian E. Wilson, Circleville Post, was outside of his marked cruiser, with its overhead emergency lights activated, removing debris from the road when a 2021 Toyota RAV4, operated by Alea Weil, 29, Marietta, Ga., struck the rear of the marked Dodge Charger. The impact caused the cruiser to move forward, striking Trooper Wilson.
Wilson and Weil sustained serious injuries and were transported by ground ambulance to Grant Medical Center.
The Patrol was assisted at the scene by the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, Columbus Division of Police, Grove City Police Department, Jackson Township Fire Department, Pleasant Township Fire Department and the Ohio Department of Transportation.
Alcohol and/or drug impairment are believed to have been a factor in the crash.
The motoring public is reminded to move over anytime you see flashing lights ahead, and if you can’t move over then you must slow down.
The crash remains under investigation, and anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to call the Columbus Post at (614) 466-2660.
The U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) announced today the disbursement of over $115 million to 38,889 victims in connection with fraud schemes processed by MoneyGram International Inc. (MoneyGram). The victims, many of whom are elderly, will recover the full amount of their losses.
“This distribution of $115.8 million to nearly 40,000 victims – each of whom is being fully compensated for their losses – demonstrates the Department of Justice’s continued commitment to making victims whole,” said Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Polite, Jr. of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “This is an example of how the department will use every tool at its disposal, including in corporate criminal matters, to provide justice to victims.”
MoneyGram originally entered into a deferred prosecution agreement (DPA) with the Department of Justice in 2012 for willfully failing to maintain an effective anti-money laundering program and aiding and abetting fraud schemes that generally targeted the elderly and other vulnerable groups. In November 2018, MoneyGram agreed to extend its DPA, implemented additional enhanced compliance obligations, and forfeited $125 million – representing the volume of consumer fraud transactions it processed during the DPA term. The USPIS is using these forfeited funds to compensate the victims of the fraud through the remission process. MoneyGram completed its DPA in May 2021.
“This $115 million disbursement provides a measure of financial justice for the many victims who were harmed by fraudsters who preyed on them,” said Inspector in Charge Christopher A. Nielsen of the USPIS Philadelphia Division. “The USPIS is proud to be part of this exemplary collaborative effort with our law enforcement and regulatory partners, particularly the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, the Justice Department’s Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section, and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), to facilitate a process where victims are delivered restitution.”
“Working together with the skilled and dedicated investigators of the USPIS, the Justice Department’s Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section, and the FTC, we have achieved outstanding results,” said U.S. Attorney Gerard M. Karam for the Middle District of Pennsylvania. “This $115.8 million disbursement to over 38,000 victims demonstrates the commitment to compensate and serve justice to the victims of these frauds.”
The USPIS is managing the victim remission. The victim compensation in this case would not have been possible with the extraordinary efforts of the USPIS Philadelphia Division’s Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, office, which investigated the case, and the Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section’s Bank Integrity Unit and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, who prosecuted the case.
More information about the remission process is available at http://moneygramremission.com
BOWLING GREEN – Emergency repair work is underway after an oversized semi struck the Lime City Road bridge over I-75 early this morning. Due to significant damage to the bridge, the northbound lanes are expected to remain closed until further notice, with the goal to get them reopened by midnight.
Crews from the Ohio Department of Transportation are working with a contractor, ES Wagner, to remove a portion of the bridge deck and beams damaged in the crash.
“I-75 is one of the busiest freight routes in the country and we are working hard to get traffic moving again as soon as possible, but we will not sacrifice safety for convenience. Please continue to avoid the area, use alternate routes, and be patient as we work to repair the damage done in this crash,” said ODOT District 2 Deputy Director Pat McColley.
Ohio Department of Transportation Photo
Drivers heading north on I-75 can use I-280 as an alternate route. Continue to monitor OHGO.com for updates on traffic conditions.
COLUMBUS – Governor Mike DeWine has directed the Ohio Rail Development Commission to apply for the first phase of funding to study expanding passenger rail service in Ohio. The Federal Railroad Administration’s Corridor Identification and Development program would assist the state in assessing potential intercity passenger rail corridors.
“This is the first step of many in this process. We have a lot of questions that need to be answered before we make any commitments,” said DeWine. “The information we gather from this effort will help us make informed decisions about federal opportunities for passenger rail in Ohio.”
The state has identified two corridors to advance for consideration: Cleveland-Columbus-Dayton-Cincinnati and Cleveland-Toledo-Detroit.
If the application is successful, the Federal Railroad Administration would provide $500,000 per corridor. These funds would allow Ohio to bring in a consultant to prepare a scope of work for a Service Development Plan. This would be a comprehensive plan that includes information about the track improvements, equipment, stations and other facilities, operating costs, ridership, and required state subsidy that are needed to start service.
“Under Governor DeWine’s direction, we have been talking with Amtrak for quite some time to explore options and gather information. Our work with Amtrak was necessary for a federal application but it is just the first step. The Governor has been very clear that for this to work for Ohio, it is not just a matter of cost. It has to be done in a way that does not impede freight rail traffic in the state that is so important to our economy and our businesses,” said Matthew Dietrich, Executive Director of the Ohio Rail Development Commission.
The Corridor ID Program is a comprehensive intercity passenger rail planning and development program that will help guide intercity passenger rail development throughout the country and create a pipeline of intercity passenger rail projects ready for implementation.
Applications are due by March 27.
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ORDC assists Ohio companies and communities in creating and retaining jobs by preserving rail service to existing shippers and providing rail service to new customers. In addition, the ORDC funds projects to improve railroad-highway grade crossings to increase safety to the traveling public. Please remember, when around railroad tracks always expect a train. Rail lines in Ohio are private property and trespassing is both strictly prohibited and extremely dangerous. For additional information please contact Wende Jourdan at (614) 728-9497.
(EAST PALESTINE, Ohio)— Following new modeling information conducted this morning by the Ohio National Guard and U.S. Department of Defense, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro are ordering an immediate evacuation in a one-mile by two-mile area surrounding East Palestine which includes parts of both Ohio and Pennsylvania.
The vinyl chloride contents of five rail cars are currently unstable and could potentially explode, causing deadly disbursement of shrapnel and toxic fumes. To alleviate the risk of uncontrollable shrapnel from an explosion, Norfolk Southern Railroad is planning a controlled release of the vinyl chloride at approximately 3:30 p.m. today.
According to Norfolk Southern Railroad, the controlled release process involves the burning of the rail cars’ chemicals, which will release fumes into the air that can be deadly if inhaled. Based on current weather patterns and the expected flow of the smoke and fumes, anyone who remains in the red affected area is facing grave danger of death. Anyone who remains in the yellow impacted area is at a high risk of severe injury, including skin burns and serious lung damage.
In Ohio, the areas at risk include eastern East Palestine, including Parker, South Pleasant, BFI Access Road, Taggart Street, North Pleasant Road, Failor Road, and East Martin, east of Pleasant. Those who need help evacuating the area should call 330-457-0733 or 330-457-2455. According to the Columbiana County Sheriff, those with children in their homes who decline to evacuate may be subject to arrest.
In Pennsylvania, anyone needing assistance should call the State Police Beaver Station at 724-773-7400. Anyone in the area in need of information regarding the evacuation and shelter in place orders should call Beaver County Emergency Services at 724-775-0880.
It is believed that most individuals have already left the impacted areas, but law enforcement in both states are currently working to ensure that all individuals have left the vicinity prior to the controlled release. Depending on the exact amount of material currently inside the rail cars, the railroad estimates that the controlled release of chemicals could burn for 1 to 3 hours. It is unknown when residents will be able to return to their homes but an announcement will be made when it is safe to return.
DAYTON, Ohio – A Huber Heights, Ohio, man pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court today to crimes related to creating hundreds of images and videos of child pornography by victimizing children as young as 8 years old over a 15-year period.
Ty Brandon Roberts, 38, pleaded guilty to producing child pornography and coercing a minor.
According to court documents, beginning in 2007, Roberts sexually abused at least one minor and communicated online with many other minors around the world to produce child pornography.
Specifically, between 2007 and 2008, Roberts sexually abused an 11to 12-year-old boy and took photos of the abuse on a Polaroid camera. Roberts eventually created digital images of the Polaroids and kept the original Polaroids in his home until law enforcement seized them in 2022.
As part of his plea, Roberts admitted to pretending to be a teenaged girl online to entice and coerce minor boys to send him sexually explicit images and videos of themselves.
The FBI has identified 44 minor victims, mostly between the ages of 11 and 14, in the child pornography Roberts created. Those 44 minors are depicted in more than 400 images and videos. Many more victims of Roberts’s child pornography remain unidentified.
Production of child pornography is a federal crime punishable by a range of 15 to 30 years in prison. Coercing a minor carries a mandatory minimum of 10 years and up to life in prison. Congress sets the maximum statutory sentence. Sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the Court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors.
Kenneth L. Parker, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; J. William Rivers, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cincinnati Division; and Huber Heights Police Chief Mark Lightner announced the guilty plea entered today before Senior U.S. District Judge Thomas M. Rose. Assistant United States Attorneys Kelly K. Rossi and Dwight Keller are representing the United States in this case.
Punxsutawney Phil might have promised six more weeks of winter weather, but just like with scams, don’t let fear and uncertainty make you a victim. AG Yost warns of the most common scams that target Ohioans and tips to avoid them: SCAMS TARGETING OHIOANS
(CAMBRIDGE, Ohio) — Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost and Guernsey County Sheriff Jeffrey D. Paden today announced the indictment of a Sarahsville man on rape charges.
Joshua Matthew Sills, 25, was indicted by a Guernsey County Common Pleas Court grand jury on one count of rape and one count of kidnapping, both first-degree felonies. Sills is an offensive guard for the NFL’s Philadelphia Eagles.
In December 2019, the indictment says, Sills engaged in sexual activity that was not consensual and held a victim against her will. The crime was immediately reported, and the Guernsey County Sheriff’s Office conducted a detailed investigation.
The case was presented to the grand jury and is being prosecuted by the Special Prosecutions Section of the Attorney General’s Office.
Sills was issued a summons to appear in Guernsey County Common Pleas Court at 1 p.m. on Feb. 16.
Indictments are criminal allegations. Defendants are presumed innocent unless proved guilty in a court of law.
Joe Lyons •
February 15, 2023
(LISBON, Ohio) — Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost today announced that the criminal charges filed against NewsNation reporter Evan Lambert have been dismissed.
