Loudonville Police Release Major Case Update Involving Multiple Investigations, Indictments
LOUDONVILLE, Ohio — The Loudonville Police Department has released a detailed update outlining several major criminal investigations spanning 2025 into early 2026, with multiple indictments, arrests, and ongoing cases.
Captain Sean Gorrell provided the update, highlighting a range of cases including financial crimes, theft, drug offenses, violent incidents, and ongoing investigations involving multiple agencies.
Bad Check & Fraud Investigation Leads to Indictment
One of the most significant cases began on June 4, 2025, when officers responded to Park National Bank for a report of fraudulent check deposits.
Following an extensive investigation, Dakota Levi Blakely, 25, of Mount Vernon, was indicted on March 12, 2026, on multiple felony charges including:
Passing Bad Checks (F5)
Three counts of Forgery (F5)
Theft (F5)
Telecommunications Fraud (F5)
Investigators allege Blakely issued multiple forged checks totaling approximately $1,500 and fraudulently obtained over $1,400 from the bank.
Court records show Blakely appeared for a bond hearing on March 16, 2026, where bond was set at $7,500 (10% permitted) in Ashland County Common Pleas Court.
Multi-State Check Theft Ring Under Investigation
Another major case stems from a July 28, 2025 investigation involving stolen and altered checks taken from a local business.
Police say the checks were stolen from the mail and cashed for large sums of money. Multiple out-of-state suspects have been identified, with agencies in Tennessee, Michigan, and the U.S. Postal Service assisting.
An arrest warrant has been issued for a 25-year-old Knoxville, Tennessee man, with additional charges expected against other suspects.
Suspect Still at Large in Threat & Harassment Case
On September 11, 2025, officers responded to a residence on East Bustle Street.
Following the investigation, Thomas Roland, 33, of Loudonville, was charged with:
Aggravated Menacing (M1)
Telephone Harassment (M1)
Police say Roland remains at large with multiple active warrants.
Sexual Assault Investigation Results in Charges
Police also provided an update on a serious sexual assault investigation that began October 7, 2025.
A juvenile has been charged in Ashland County Juvenile Court with:
Rape (F1)
Gross Sexual Imposition (F4)
In a related case, Samantha Morris, 19, of Loudonville, was indicted on March 12, 2026, for:
Obstructing Justice (F5)
Authorities allege Morris provided false information to hinder the investigation of a rape case. Her bond was set at $7,500 (10% permitted).
Drug Arrest Following Traffic Stop
On December 17, 2025, a traffic stop on North Market Street led to the arrest of Jamie Hershberger, 29, of Loudonville.
A search revealed methamphetamine, resulting in charges of:
Aggravated Possession of Drugs (F5)
Driving Under Suspension (M4)
Hershberger was later indicted on February 12, 2026.
Vehicle Theft Case Leads to Felony Indictment
A January 5, 2026 report of a stolen vehicle in the 200 block of Middle Drive led to the indictment of Tyler Goetz, 26, of Ashland.
Charges include:
Grand Theft of a Motor Vehicle (F4)
Two counts of Theft (F5)
Bond in the case was set at $60,000.
Additional Arrests & Incidents Police also reported several additional incidents:
Sean McEleney, 55, of Mount Vernon charged following a disturbance at Park National Bank (Inducing Panic, Falsification, Disorderly Conduct).
Ryan Shonkwiler II, 23, of Canton arrested on a federal ATF warrant during a traffic stop.
Bruce Au, 43, of Loudonville sentenced to 90 days in jail (60 suspended) for Aggravated Menacing.
Sentencing in Attempted Murder Case
In a separate major case, Matthew Dewitt was sentenced on March 9, 2026, by Judge David R. Stimpert for a June 2025 incident:
Attempted Murder: 11 to 16.5 years
Domestic Violence: 180 days
Aggravated Possession of Drugs: 12 months
Certain counts were merged for sentencing purposes.
Ongoing Investigations
Captain Gorrell emphasized that several investigations remain active, particularly the multi-state check fraud case, with additional arrests and charges expected.
The Loudonville Police Department continues to work with local, state, and federal partners as these cases progress through the court system.
