True Story by Timothy Clark · Illustration by Sishir Bommakanti
Just as we stopped in front of the home, which seemed to have light blazing from every window, the call was updated: it was an infant in trouble.
I was out the passenger-side door in a heartbeat, bypassing the two steps up to the porch. As I reached for the door it flew open and I was met by a chunky middle-aged woman, a well-worn robe draped over her long, pink nightgown. She was screaming hysterically. A mixture of tears and mascara streaked her face.
“Do something! Please do something!” she screamed, as she thrust an infant, wrapped in a blanket, into my arms. “He’s not breathing!”
On April 17, 2023, Mayor Matt Miller administered the oath of office to new Police Officers Chelsie Betancourt and Soren Osicka. Betancourt and Osicka recently held recruit positions within the Division while attending the police academy at North Central State College.
Betancourt, 26, of Ashland, previously worked as a Corrections Officer for the Richland County Sheriff’s Office.
The public safety position is a first for Osicka, 23, also of Ashland.
The pair will shadow trainers for at least four months to learn organizational procedures while becoming more familiar with operations.
Both have ties to the area and are committed to serving the Ashland community to the best of their ability.
Mayor Miller encouraged the new officers to be diligent and humble and “treat every resident fairly and respectfully.”
The Ashland Police Division is currently authorized to employ 32 full-time police officers. These two appointments bring the Division to 31.
Ashland County Sheriff’s Office, Ashland police Division, Ashland Fire Department & EMS responded to a two vehicle accident at State Route 60 and State Route 511.
Mansfield, Ohio – The Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force (NOVFTF) in conjunction with the Ohio Adult Parole Authority (APA), arrested Brian Moroney (21) on April 19, 2023. The arrest was made in the 2400 block of Trimble Rd. in Mansfield, OH.
Moroney was wanted by the APA for a parole violation stemming from a previous conviction in 2019 of unlawful sexual conduct with a minor. As a result of that conviction Moroney is a registered sex offender in the state of Ohio.
During the arrest, a 15-year-old who was with Moroney, and previously reported missing to the Mansfield Police Department, was recovered by officers and returned to their guardian.
Moroney was subsequently transported to the Richland County Jail and booked on his outstanding charges. Further charges against Moroney are pending investigation.
U.S. Marshal Pete Elliott stated, “Protecting our communities, and specifically our youth, from predators needs to be a top priority for law enforcement. This case highlights that need. Our officers did a tremendous job at identifying this and acting swiftly. I commend them and their efforts.”
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.
The NOVFTF Mansfield Division consists of the following federal, state and local agencies:
United States Marshals Service, Mansfield Police Department, Ohio Adult Parole Authority, Richland County Probation, Richland County Sheriff’s Office, Ashland County Sheriff’s Office, Bucyrus Police Department, Crestline Police Department, Galion Police Department, Huron County Sheriff’s Office, Lexington Police Department, Loudenville Police Department, Ohio State Highway Patrol, Ontario Police Department, Plymouth Police Department, and Willard Police Department.
Friday, April 14th, 26 Amish appeared in Ashland Municipal Court, before Judge John Good for refusal to pay buggy light fines.
All thought they were going to jail, and were willing to do so, to show they are not going to comply with Ohio law, that requires flashing lights on their buggies, claiming their religion prevents them from doing so.
However, Judge John Good informed them that the court would be imposing liens on their real estate.
Outside the court room, the younger Amish responded to the question, “Did you win lose or draw?” One younger Amish male believed it was a draw, and seemed happy about it.
Later, when the older males came out, they were furious, claiming this adds a burden to them that was unnecessary. One told me, “The Judge could have sent them to jail and be done with it.” The other older Amish male was very angry, claiming that the Judge could have changed their plea from no contest to not guilty so it could have went to a higher court.
I tried to tell him that a Judge can’t do that. They would have to have plead not guilty, but he was in no mood to listing, shaking his head and telling me I was wrong.
Judge Good believes an Ohio Supreme Court case prohibits him from jailing defendants that refuse to pay fines for non-jailable offenses, even though they may prefer jail.
In that on or about April 14, 2023, in Ashland County, Ohio, Leslie E. Acker did knowingly cause serious physical harm to XXXXXXX in violation of Ohio Revised Code Section 2903.11 2903.11 FELONIOUS ASSAULT, a felony of the second degree.
Tyrone Cheeks Age: 43
Black / Male / 5’11’’ / 170 / Black Hair / Brown Eyes
Wanted by the U.S Marshals Service and Richland County Sheriff’s Office for probation violation on the original charge of aggravated robbery F1.
Ties to Mansfield area.
Seth Gardner Age: 43
White / Male / 6’0’’ / 185 / Brown Hair / Green Eyes
Wanted by the U.S. Marshals Service and Richland County Sheriff’s Office for a probation violation on the original charge of robbery F1.
Ties to the Mansfield area and Cape Girardeau, MO .
Jackson Baker Age: 25
White / Male / 5’11’’ / 150 / Blond Hair / Blue Eyes
Wanted by the U.S Marshals Service and Richland County Sheriff’s Office for a probation violation on the original charge of improper handling of a firearm and aggravated possession of drugs F4.
Ties to the Mansfield area.
Richard Kiser Age: 56
White / Male / 5’7’’ / 180 / Brown Hair / Brown Eyes
Wanted by the Richland County Sheriff’s Office for a failing to provide change of address as sex offender
Ties to the Mansfield, New Philadelphia, Conneaut, Bergholz, Lawrenceburg, TN
Reward money is available for information directly leading to an arrest. Anyone with information concerning any of these fugitives can contact the Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force office at 419-774-3565 or the tip line at 1-866-4WANTED (1-866-492-6833) or you can send a web tip at the following webpage http://www.usmarshals.gov/district/oh-n/index.html.
Tipsters may remain anonymous, and a cash reward may be available. The Task Force’s “Dangerous Dozen” fugitives can be viewed at https://www.usmarshals.gov/sites/default/files/media/document/dangerous-dozen.pdf, which is updated monthly.
The NOVFTF Akron Division consists of the following federal, state and local agencies:
United States Marshals Service, Mansfield Police Department, Ohio Adult Parole Authority, Richland County Probation, Richland County Sheriff’s Office, Ashland County Sheriff’s Office, Bucyrus Police Department, Galion Police Department, Huron County Sheriff’s Office, Lexington Police Department, Loudonville Police Department, Ohio State Highway Patrol, Ontario Police Department, Plymouth Police Department, Willard Police Department and Crestline Police Department.
Joe Lyons •
April 23, 2023
Mansfield, Ohio – The Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force (NOVFTF) in conjunction with the Ohio Adult Parole Authority (APA), arrested Brian Moroney (21) on April 19, 2023. The arrest was made in the 2400 block of Trimble Rd. in Mansfield, OH.
Tyrone Cheeks Age: 43
Seth Gardner Age: 43
Jackson Baker Age: 25
Richard Kiser Age: 56