(DELAWARE, Ohio) — The former chief executive officer of the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium entered a plea of guilty today ahead of his trial date, Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost announced today.
Tom Stalf pleaded guilty in Delaware County Common Pleas Court to 15 felonies:
1 count of aggravated theft (F2)
1 count of conspiracy (F2)
1 count of telecommunications fraud (F3)
12 counts of tampering with records (F4, F5)
As part of the plea agreement, Stalf agreed to pay $315,572.65 in criminal restitution to the Columbus Zoo, State of Ohio and Internal Revenue Service. This amount is in addition to the $400,000.00 of restitution already made on his behalf in 2021.
Stalf’s trial had been scheduled to start Aug. 6. He will be sentenced on Oct. 14 at 9:00 a.m.
The Ohio Attorney General’s Office was appointed to prosecute the case at the request of Delaware County Prosecutor Melissa Schiffel. The Ohio Auditor’s Office is assisting the Special Prosecution section of the Ohio Attorney General’s office in the investigation and prosecution.
Cases against the four other defendants are nearing conclusion:
Greg Bell, former zoo chief financial officer, pleaded guilty to 14 felony charges, including aggravated theft, conspiracy and tampering with records. His sentencing is scheduled for Sept. 19 at 1:30 p.m.
Pete Fingerhut, former zoo marketing director, pleaded guilty to 16 felony charges and one misdemeanor. He is scheduled to be sentenced on Sept. 23 at 10 a.m.
Tracy Murnane, former zoo purchasing agent, pleaded guilty to six felony charges and two misdemeanors. He will be sentenced on Sept. 23 at 11 a.m.
Grant Bell, former zoo purchasing assistant, was charged with one felony count.
In total, the defendants are alleged to have defrauded the zoo of more than $2.29 million and used the money for personal benefits.
Prairie Township — On Monday, July 22, 2024 at approximately 7:02p.m., the Wooster Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol was called to the scene of a severe injury traffic crash on Holmesville Road (County Road 1 92) in Prairie Township of Holmes County.
The on-scene investigation revealed that a black 2007 Chevrolet Trailblazer was southbound on Holmesville Road, when it drove off the right side of the roadway, as it crested a hill. The vehicle over-corrected and went off the left side of the roadway, striking an embankment and a tree, causing it to overturn multiple times.
The driver of the Chevrolet Trailblazer, Elmer Yoder, 23 years old, of Fredericksburg, was not wearing a seat belt and was ejected from the vehicle. Mr. Yoder was transported to Wooster Community Hospital with minor injuries.
The front seat passenger of the Trailblazer, Kendrick Miller, 20 years old, of Applecreek, was not wearing a seat belt and was ejected from the vehicle. Mr. Miller sustained severe injuries and was transported to Akron City Hospital by Life Flight. Mr. Miller succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased on July 23, 2024.
The rear seat passenger, Abraham Weaver, 19 years old, of Holmesville, was not wearing his seat belt and was medically evaluated and released on scene with minor injuries.
At this time, the crash remains under investigation. Alcohol and drugs are believed to be contributing factors to the crash.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol was assisted on scene by Fredericksburg EMS, Prairie Township Fire Department, and Star American Towing.
Erie County, OH – The Ohio State Highway Patrol is investigating two separate two-vehicle crashes that occurred today in Erie County.
Two-Vehicle Injury Crash on State Route 113
Milan Township – The first crash occurred at approximately 2:54 PM on July 17, 2024, on State Route 113 at Kelley Road in Milan Township. Lavon J. Hayes, 33, of Wickliffe, Ohio, was operating a 2022 Freightliner M2 straight truck and did not suffer any injuries. He was wearing his safety belt at the time of the crash.
Jeffrey W. Erb, 62, of Avon Lake, Ohio, was riding a 1965 Harley Davidson Electra Glide without a helmet. He sustained serious injuries and was transported to Fisher Titus Hospital by North Central EMS.
The incident happened as Mr. Hayes was traveling eastbound on State Route 113 and attempted to turn left onto Kelley Road, failing to yield to westbound traffic. Mr. Erb’s motorcycle struck the truck, and both vehicles came to a stop in the roadway.
Alcohol and drugs are not believed to be factors in the crash, which remains under investigation. The Erie County Sheriff’s Office, North Central EMS, Groton Township Fire & EMS, and Wilson’s Towing assisted at the scene.
Two-Vehicle Injury Crash on State Route 60
Vermilion Township – The second crash occurred at approximately 5:30 PM on July 17, 2024, on State Route 60 at Mason Road in Vermilion Township. Victoria L. Swartz, 67, of Huron, Ohio, was driving a 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee and sustained serious injuries. She was transported to Mercy Hospital by Vermilion Township EMS and was wearing her safety belt at the time of the crash.
Matthew T. Rehak, 47, of Wakeman, Ohio, was driving a 2014 Chevy 1500 and was not injured. He was also wearing his safety belt.
The crash occurred when Mrs. Swartz, traveling eastbound on Mason Road, failed to yield at a stop sign and proceeded through the intersection, where she was struck by Mr. Rehak, who was traveling southbound on State Route 60. Mrs. Swartz’s Jeep overturned and struck a pole after veering off the right side of the roadway, while Mr. Rehak’s Chevy came to rest in the roadway.
As in the earlier incident, alcohol and drugs are not suspected factors. This crash also remains under investigation. The Erie County Sheriff’s Office, LifeCare EMS, Vermilion Township Fire & EMS, L&M Towing, and Dunn Rite Towing provided assistance at the scene.
COLUMBUS – The Ohio State Highway Patrol has entered the 11th annual “Best Looking Cruiser” contest sponsored by the American Association of State Troopers (AAST). Voting for the best-looking cruiser began today, July 15, at 10 a.m. and will end on July 29 at 12 p.m.
Visit the Patrol’s Facebook, Twitter or Instagram pages and click the link in any of our contest posts or visit the SurveyMonkey website to vote the Ohio State Highway Patrol as having the best-looking cruiser.
When visiting the SurveyMonkey website, scroll to the bottom of the page and select Ohio from the drop-down menu. Agency rankings will be updated on the AAST’s website throughout the contest.
Please help vote for the Ohio State Highway Patrol as the 2024 best-looking cruiser. The top 13 photos receiving the highest number of votes will be featured in the 2025 AAST wall calendar and the photo that gets the highest number of votes will be featured on the cover.
NORWALK – The Norwalk Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol is investigating a three-vehicle fatal crash that occurred on July 11 at 10:53 a.m. on state Route 18 at County Road 24 in Scipio Township, Seneca County.
The preliminary investigation showed a Ram Promaster, operated by David Gaertner, 57, Janera, was traveling westbound on County Road 24. Gaertner failed to stop at a posted stop sign at state Route 18 and struck a northeast-bound Ford F-250, operated by Joseph Miller, 41, of Vickery.
A southwest-bound Freightliner semi tractor-trailer, operated by Aaron Knoll, 42, Tampa, Fla., then struck the F-250 and the Promaster. The F-250 and the Freightliner continued off the southwest corner of the intersection, where both vehicles overturned and the Freightliner struck a utility pole and the F-250 caught fire.
Both of Joseph Miller passengers, Richard Miller, 67, Sandusky, and Conner Miller, 13, of Vickery, suffered fatal injuries at the scene. Gaertner sustained serious injuries and was transported by air ambulance to Mercy Health – St. Vincent Medical Center. Knoll sustained serious injuries and was transported by ambulance to Mercy Health – Tiffin Hospital.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol was assisted on scene by the Seneca County Sheriff’s Office, Seneca County EMS, Mercy Health Life Flight, Scipio-Republic Fire Department, John’s Welding & Towing, Seneca County Coroner’s Office and the Ohio Department of Transportation.
CRAWFORD — Troopers from the Bucyrus Post are investigating a fatal crash that occurred on July 9, 2024 at approximately 09:45 am on County Road 2 in LaRue, Ohio within Marion County. The crash was not discovered and reported until July 10, 2024 at approximately 08:18 am when the Ohio State Highway Patrol Marion & Bucyrus Post began to investigate the crash.
The crash involved a 201 1 Chevrolet HHR station wagon driven by Harry E. Baker, 72, of LaRue, Ohio. The Chevrolet was northbound on County Road 2. The Chevrolet traveled off the west side of the roadway, into a creek, and struck the north bank of the creek.
Mr. Baker was pronounced deceased at the scene of the crash. Mr. Baker was wearing his seat-belt at the time of the crash. Drugs and alcohol are not suspected. Next-of-kin have been notified.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol was assisted at the scene by the Scioto Valley Fire & EMS, Kirby’s Towing, and the Marion County Coroner’s Office. The crash remains under investigation.
MARION – The Marion Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol is investigating a fatal crash involving a pedestrian that occurred on July 8th at 11:30 a.m. on Center Street near Chicago Avenue in the City of Marion.
The preliminary investigation showed a Ford Escape, operated by Sandra Brown, 85, Marion, struck a pedestrian on the sidewalk as she was pulling out of a private drive onto Center Street. The pedestrian was identified as Linda Dowalter, 72, of Bellville. Dowalter and the Escape were then struck by a Kenworth T480 truck, operated by James McGinnis, 53, Marion who was traveling east on Center Street.
Dowalter sustained fatal injuries at the scene. Brown and her passenger, Diane Wilcox, 79, Marion, both sustained minor injuries and were transported by ambulance to Marion General Hospital. A 7-year-old and 2-year-old were with Dowalter at the time of the crash. The 2-year-old sustained minor injuries. The 7-year-old and McGinnis were not injured.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol was assisted on scene by Marion City Department of Fire and EMS, Marion Police Department and Kirby’s Towing.
Cleveland, Ohio– The United States Marshals Service Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force (NOVFTF) is offering a reward of up to $5,000 for information directly leading to the identification, location, and arrest of the suspect(s) involved in the shooting death of 10-year-old Gracie Griffin.
The shooting happened at approximately 7:10pm on Thursday, July 4 in the 3200 block of West 125th St. near Triskett Rd. Gracie was transported to Metro-Health Medical Center where she later died.
Anyone with information is urged to call the Cleveland Division of Police’s homicide unit at 216-623-5464 or the U.S. Marshals tipline at 1-866-4-WANTED.
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.
TOWNSHIP OF FLORENCE – The Ohio State Highway Patrol is currently investigating a two-vehicle injury crash that occurred on July 9, 2024, at approximately 1:45 P.M. on State Route 113 near Harrison Road in the Township of Florence, Erie County.
Calvin Burnworth, 73, of Wakeman, Ohio, was driving a 1996 Mercury Sable eastbound on State Route 113. Burnworth sustained serious injuries in the crash and was airlifted from the scene by Cleveland Metro Life Flight to Cleveland Metro Hospital. He was wearing his seat belt at the time of the accident.
Patrick Wetzel, 42, of Berlin Heights, Ohio, was operating a 2016 Mack CXU. Wetzel was reversing into a farmer’s access while facing eastbound. He did not suffer any injuries and was also wearing his seat belt at the time of the crash.
The incident occurred as Burnworth, traveling eastbound, failed to maintain an assured clear distance and collided with Wetzel’s trailer as Wetzel was backing into the field.
Authorities do not believe alcohol or drug use was a factor in the crash. The investigation is ongoing.
Assistance at the scene was provided by the Erie County Sheriff’s Office, Florence Township Fire/EMS, L&M Towing, and Cleveland Metro Life Flight.
Marion – Troopers from the Marion Post are investigating a fatal crash that occurred on July 8, 2024, at approximately 5:30 AM, on Gooding Road at the intersection of Bethlehem Road, in Marion County.
The crash involved a 1995 Kawasaki Vulcan 750, driven by Robert Daso, age 48, of Marion, Ohio. The other vehicle involved was a 2012 Honda Civic, driven by Coulter Deboer, age 20, of Richwood, Ohio.
The preliminary investigation indicates Mr. Daso was traveling southbound on Gooding Road. Mr. Deboer was traveling eastbound on Bethlehem Road. Mr. Deboer failed to yield at the posted stop sign at the intersection, and was struck on the driver’s side of his vehicle by Mr. Daso. Mr. Deboer’s vehicle traveled off the southeast corner of the intersection before coming to final rest.
Mr. Daso was pronounced deceased at the scene by the Marion County Coroner, Dr. Timothy Garner. Mr. Deboer was transported from the scene by Fort Morrow EMS to Marion General Hospital for possible injuries and was later released. Mr. Daso was wearing a helmet at the time of the crash.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol was assisted on scene by Fort Morrow Fire and EMS, Pleasant Township Fire and EMS, and Ed’s 24 Hour Towing.
Joe Lyons •
July 23, 2024
(DELAWARE, Ohio) — The former chief executive officer of the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium entered a plea of guilty today ahead of his trial date, Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost announced today.
Erie County, OH – The Ohio State Highway Patrol is investigating two separate two-vehicle crashes that occurred today in Erie County.
CRAWFORD — Troopers from the Bucyrus Post are investigating a fatal crash that occurred on July 9, 2024 at approximately 09:45 am on County Road 2 in LaRue, Ohio within Marion County. The crash was not discovered and reported until July 10, 2024 at approximately 08:18 am when the Ohio State Highway Patrol Marion & Bucyrus Post began to investigate the crash.
TOWNSHIP OF FLORENCE – The Ohio State Highway Patrol is currently investigating a two-vehicle injury crash that occurred on July 9, 2024, at approximately 1:45 P.M. on State Route 113 near Harrison Road in the Township of Florence, Erie County.