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.
COLUMBUS – The Ohio State Highway Patrol will be highly visible and cracking down on impaired drivers during the Fourth of July holiday reporting period, which begins at midnight on Wednesday, July 3 and will run through 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, July 7.
The Patrol’s zero-tolerance policy is part of the national Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over enforcement campaign aimed at removing impaired drivers from the roadways. Many Fourth of July celebrations involve alcohol, which increases the possibility of impaired driving. Therefore, the Patrol urges motorists to buckle up, drive safely and follow all traffic laws.
“Fourth of July celebrations are a hallmark of summer in Ohio, and I urge everyone to celebrate responsibly to ensure a safe holiday for all,” said Ohio Governor Mike DeWine.
During last year’s Fourth of July reporting period, from Monday, July 3 through Tuesday, July 4, a total of 10 fatal crashes killed 12 people; of those, nine crashes and 11 fatalities involved alcohol and/or drugs. Also, five of the fatalities involved unbelted victims who had safety belts available at the time of the crash. Last year’s Fourth of July reporting period included the fatalities of four motorcyclists, two pedestrians and one bicyclist. Ohio state troopers made 138 impaired driving arrests during the reporting period.
“For the Ohio State Highway Patrol, ensuring the safety of those who travel Ohio roads during the Fourth of July holiday, and every day, is a top priority,” said Colonel Charles A. Jones, Patrol superintendent. “Impaired driving is a significant contributor to preventable crashes and tragedies, and drug-impaired driving has continued to increase on Ohio’s roadways. Addressing this issue involves dedicated efforts by our troopers to increase safety on our roadways.”
When it comes to impaired driving, as Colonel Jones noted, the issue is not exclusive to alcohol impairment. In fact, drug impaired driving has continued to increase on Ohio’s roads. While overall fatal crashes went down 3% from 2022 to 2023, drug-impaired driving in fatal crashes increased 4%. Last year, troopers made 3,319 drug-impaired driving arrests. This included 739 marijuana impaired arrests, 1,865 drug-impaired driving arrests for a drug other than marijuana and 715 drug-impaired driving arrests in which the driver had a combination of marijuana and another drug in their system.
Motorists are encouraged to designate a sober driver and safely call #677 to report impaired drivers, drug activity or stranded motorists.
The Delaware Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol is currently investigating a two-vehicle fatal crash that occurred on July 2, 2024 at approximately 11:17 P.M. on US-36 at Africa Road in Berlin Township.
Justin Neff, age 35, of Delaware Ohio was operating a red 2009 Volvo dump truck westbound on US-36. Derrick Price, age 45, of Columbus Ohio, along with Timothy Gibson, age 50. Of Columbus Ohio were occupants in a green 2005 GMC Sierra pickup truck.
The GMC Sierra failed to stop at a stop sign and struck the side of the Volvo dump truck. It is undetermined which occupant was the driver due to both occupants being ejected from the vehicle.
Mr. Price and Mr. Gibson were both pronounced deceased at the scene. Mr. Neff was transported with non-life-threatening injuries.
The crash remains under investigation, it is unknown if impairment and distraction were factors in this crash. Safety belts were not worn by the deceased.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol was assisted at the scene by Delaware County Sheriff’s Office, Ohio Department of Transportation, and Berlin Township Fire and EMS.
(DELAWARE, Ohio) — With a trial date looming, the former marketing director for the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium pleaded guilty today to 16 felony counts and one misdemeanor, Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost announced today.
As part of the plea agreement, Pete Fingerhut will pay $675,572.65 in restitution. The amount includes money to be paid to the zoo, along with back taxes to the state of Ohio and Internal Revenue Service.
Fingerhut’s trial was scheduled to start July 9. He pleaded guilty in Delaware County Common Pleas Court to the following charges:
1 count of aggravated theft (F2)
1 count of conspiracy (F2)
11 counts of tampering with records (F3, F4, F5)
3 counts of telecommunications fraud (F4, F5)
1 count of falsification (M1)
Fingerhut will be sentenced on Sept. 23, following the conclusion of his co-defendant’s legal proceedings.
Today’s court action is the latest development in the investigation and prosecution of a scheme to defraud the zoo of more than $2.29 million:
Tracy Murnane, a former zoo purchasing agent, was charged by bill of information on June 23 with grand theft and five other felonies. He will be arraigned July 8.
Greg Bell, former chief financial officer, pleaded guilty on Oct. 19 to 14 felony charges, including aggravated theft, conspiracy and tampering with records. Bell will be sentenced after his co-defendants’ cases conclude.
Tom Stalf, the zoo’s former chief executive officer, is scheduled to stand trial beginning Aug. 6. He faces 36 felony charges.
The 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 in the investigation and prosecution.
Marion – Troopers from the Marion Post are investigating a fatal crash that occurred on June 19, 2024, at approximately 4:40 PM, on County Road 5 in Marion County.
The crash involved a horse drawn carriage, operated by Edward Gingerich, age 14, of Marion, Ohio.
The second vehicle involved was a CSX locomotive.
The preliminary investigation indicates Mr. Gingerich was traveling northbound on County Road 5 when he lost control of the horse drawn carriage. The locomotive was traveling eastbound when the carriage struck the side of the locomotive.
Mr. Gingerich was ejected from the carriage and pronounced deceased at the scene.
Mr. Gingerich was transported from the scene by the Marion County Coroner’s Office to the Lucas County Coroner’s Office.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol was assisted on scene by the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, Scioto Valley Fire and EMS, CSX rail company, and the Marion County Coroner’s Office.
Riley Twp. – The Milan Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol is investigating a two-vehicle fatal crash. The crash occurred today at 7:06 a.m. on the Ohio Turnpike near milepost 94 in Riley Twp, Sandusky County, east of the State Route 53 interchange.
The preliminary investigation revealed a westbound 2008 Honda CRV, operated by Avery Wayne Pierce Jr., 34, of Ashburn, Virginia, drove off the right side of the roadway and struck the right rear trailer of a 2020 Freightliner tractor-trailer that was disabled on the right shoulder.
The disabled commercial-tractor trailer did have reflective safety triangles displayed to the rear of the tractor-trailer. The 2020 Freightliner was occupied by Festus Cenatus,62, of Apopka, Florida. Mr. Cenatus was not injured.
Mr. Pierce suffered fatal injuries as a result of the crash and was pronounced deceased at the scene.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol was assisted on scene by the Clyde Fire Department, Sandusky County Coroner’s Office, Sandusky County EMS, Ohio Turnpike and Infrastructure Commission, and Madison’s Towing Service.
The crash remains under investigation at this time. Alcohol use appears to be a factor in this crash and Mr. Pierce was not wearing a safety belt.
Wakeman – The Ohio State Highway Patrol’s Norwalk Post is investigating a single vehicle fatal crash that occurred on June 17, 2024 at approximately 11:27 PM. The crash occurred on West River Road (TR 62) north of Ogan Road, in the Township of Wakeman, Huron County, Ohio.
Shane Webb, 37, of Willard, was driving a 2015 Jeep Wrangler southbound on West River Road and drove off the right side of the roadway striking a culvert storm drain cover. The Jeep became airborne and overturned several times before striking a large raised flower bed, fence post, and tree.
The Jeep came to final rest in a private driveway off the west side of West River Road. Mr. Webb was not wearing his seatbelt and was ejected from the vehicle suffering fatal injuries. Mr. Webb was transported from the scene by Citizens Ambulance to Toft Funeral Home. Interstate Towing removed the vehicle from the scene.
Alcohol, drug use, and speed are suspected to be factors in the crash. The crash remains under investigation.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol was assisted by the Huron County Sheriff’s Office, Wakeman Fire Department, Wakeman Police Department, Citizens Ambulance, and Interstate Towing.
(COLUMBUS, Ohio) — The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit today granted the Ohio Attorney General’s Office request for full court review in the case regarding the proposed amendment “Protecting Ohioans’ Constitutional Rights.”
Yost requested the En Banc review on May 30 after a divided three-member panel ruled that Ohio’s ballot initiative process likely violated the U.S. Constitution and ordered that the proposed amendment and summary should be sent to the Ballot Board.
The Attorney General had determined that that summary was not fair and truthful and thus would mislead Ohio voters.
In the En Banc petition, Yost argued that the panel opinion raised important constitutional issues that warranted review by all of the judges on the full court of appeals.
The Attorney General’s role is to ensure that what goes to the voters is an accurate representation of what is being presented. It is a safeguard to ensure voters fully understand what they are voting for.
Joe Lyons •
July 9, 2024
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.
Riley Twp. – The Milan Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol is investigating a two-vehicle fatal crash. The crash occurred today at 7:06 a.m. on the Ohio Turnpike near milepost 94 in Riley Twp, Sandusky County, east of the State Route 53 interchange.
Wakeman – The Ohio State Highway Patrol’s Norwalk Post is investigating a single vehicle fatal crash that occurred on June 17, 2024 at approximately 11:27 PM. The crash occurred on West River Road (TR 62) north of Ogan Road, in the Township of Wakeman, Huron County, Ohio.
(COLUMBUS, Ohio) — The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit today granted the Ohio Attorney General’s Office request for