SOURCE CITED:  MOUNT VERNON NEWS

MOUNT VERNON — According to Knox County Prosecutor John Thatcher, the Grand Jury returned eight indictments, on Monday.

Arraignment hearings in the cases are scheduled for April 5 at 9:00 a.m., before Common Pleas Court Judge Otho Eyster.

Michael A. Smith, 36, was indicted on charges of Pandering Obscenity Involving a Minor and Pandering Sexually Oriented Matter Involving a Minor. Thatcher said on or about March 13, Smith allegedly downloaded from the Internet 24 computer files containing photographs and videos depicting children engaged in sexual activity. Smith’s personal desktop and laptop computers were seized on March 13, and the computers are being analyzed now by investigators at the Ohio Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (ICAC), in Columbus. Thatcher said additional charges may be filed against Smith, if more computer files containing child pornography are found on the computers. Smith is currently being held in the Knox County Jail on a $25,000.00 bond. Detective Tom Bumpus, Knox County Sheriff’s Office, investigated the case.

Two men are accused of felony Domestic Violence charges. John S. Shoults, 40, Danville, is accused of a third degree felony for allegedly assaulting his live-in girlfriend, on March 2. Thatcher said Shoults has two prior Domestic Violence convictions and, if convicted, he could be sentenced to up to 36 months in prison. Officer Chad Lishness, Danville Police Department, investigated the case.

Timothy A. McClary, 28, Centerburg, is accused of a fourth degree felony for allegedly assaulting his live-in girlfriend, on March 3. Thatcher said McClary has one prior Domestic Violence conviction and, if convicted, he could be sentenced to up to 18 months in prison. Deputy J.P. Paul, KCSO, investigated the case.

Drug cases made up the rest of the indictments. Mark K. Cox, 34, Columbus, faces ten counts of Possession and Trafficking in Cocaine and Aggravated Possession and Trafficking in Drugs. Thatcher said between January 4 and March 8, Cox allegedly possessed and sold cocaine and Oxycodone, in Mount Vernon. Detective James DeChant investigated the case. Stanley T. Curry, 30, Columbus, faces eleven counts of Possession and Trafficking in Heroin, Cocaine and Drugs. Thatcher said between February 12 and 19, Curry allegedly possessed and sold Heroin, Cocaine and Oxycodone, in Mount Vernon. Detective Craig Feeney investigated the case.

Daniel J. Schiefer, 27, Mount Vernon, is charged with Permitting Drug Abuse for allegedly allowing another person to sell Heroin while in his motor vehicle, on February 19. Thatcher said Schiefer’s indictment carries a forfeiture specification alleging that the motor vehicle should be forfeited to the Mount Vernon Police Department since it was allegedly used to traffic in drugs. Detective Feeney investigated the case.

Eric S. Azbell, 26, Mount Vernon, is charged with three counts of Possession and Trafficking in Cocaine. Thatcher said on March 7 and 14, Azbell allegedly possessed and sold Cocaine, in Mount Vernon. Detective Sergeant Robert Morgan investigated the case.

Mandy S. Overton, 26, Utica, is accused of Tampering with Evidence, Illegal Conveyance of Drugs into the Knox County Jail and possession of Methamphetamine and Alprazolam (Xanax). Thatcher said on March 8, Overton was arrested on a felony warrant for other drug charges pending in the Knox County Court of Common Pleas. After she was arrested and taken to jail, Overton was searched and allegedly found in possession of the drugs. Overton then allegedly tried to flush the drugs down a toilet, according to Thatcher. Lieutenant Gary Rohler investigated the case.

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