Lawrence County Prosecutor

08/31/2026

The Lawrence County Grand Jury returned the following indictments during the August 2026 Session:

Caleb R. Gammon, 42, Wheelersburg — Aggravated Possession of Drugs (F-5).

David A. Webb, 38, Ironton — Illegal Conveyance of Drugs or Alcohol onto the Grounds of a Detention Facility (F-3); Possession of a Fentanyl-Related Compound (F-5); Tampering with Evidence (F-3).

Kenan M. Klaiber, 20, Ironton — Aggravated Possession of Drugs (F-5).

Landon A. Wheeler, 25, Pedro — Aggravated Possession of Drugs (F-5).

Michael O. Wiliams, 57, Huntington, WV — Forgery (F-5); Theft (M-1).

Caleb R. Johnston, 29, Franklin Furnace — Aggravated Possession of Drugs (F-5); Obstructing Official Business (M-2).

Jonathan Huck, 40, Huntington, WV — Theft from the Elderly (F-3).

Maycon Construction, Huntington, WV — Theft from the Elderly (F-3).

Randall S. Jenkins, 35, South Point — Tampering with Evidence (F-3); Possession of a Fentanyl-Related Compound (F-5).

Marty Ray Tolliver, 37, Ironton — Failure to Comply with the Order or Signal of a Police Officer (F-3).

Thomas Ward — Failure to Comply with the Order or Signal of a Police Officer (F-3) (2 counts); Grand Theft (F-4) (2 counts).

Viki Price, 67, South Point — Having Weapons While Under Disability (F-3).

Adrianna M. Price, 28, South Point — Having Weapons While Under Disability (F-3).

Cletis R. Collins, 49, Pedro — Theft (F-5) (3 counts); Engaging in a Pattern of Corrupt Activity (F-2).

Mark L. Blackburn, 64, Ironton — Theft (F-5) (3 counts); Engaging in a Pattern of Corrupt Activity (F-2).

Russell Cox, 51, Pedro — Theft (F-5) (3 counts); Engaging in a Pattern of Corrupt Activity (F-2).

Samantha R. Michael, 20, Ironton — Receiving Stolen Property (F-4).

Amy Williams, 52, Greenup, KY — Theft by Deception (F-5) (2 counts).

Rusty Gene Ratliff, 23, Fort Thomas, KY — Receiving Stolen Property (F-4).

Jessie Ward, 43, South Point — Trafficking in a Fentanyl-Related Compound (F-3) (3 counts); Trafficking in Co***ne (F-4); Aggravated Trafficking in Drugs (F-2); Engaging in a Pattern of Corrupt Activity (F-2); Possession of Co***ne (F-5); Aggravated Possession of Drugs (F-5).

Nathan M. Wilds, 39, Huntington, WV — Having Weapons While Under Disability (F-3).

Derrell Johnson, 50, Huntington, WV — Trafficking in Co***ne (F-1); Possession of Co***ne (F-1).

William J. Gordon, 73, Greenup, KY — Aggravated Possession of Drugs (F-5).

Marvin R. Seymour, II, 35, Ironton — Aggravated Trafficking in Drugs (F-3); Aggravated Possession of Drugs (F-3); Possession of a Fentanyl-Related Compound (F-5).

Robert E. Lee Johnson, 42, Ironton — Having Weapons While Under Disability (F-3); Domestic Violence (F-4); Obstructing Official Business (F-5); Resisting Arrest (M-2).

Ronard Samuel Johnson, 61, Center Line, MI — Trafficking in a Fentanyl-Related Compound (F-1); Possession of a Fentanyl-Related Compound (F-1).

Ronald Murnahan, 72, South Point — Aggravated Trafficking in Drugs (F-3) (6 counts); Aggravated Possession of Drugs (F-3); Aggravated Trafficking in Drugs (F-4); Aggravated Possession of Drugs (F-5); Trafficking in a Fentanyl-Related Compound (F-4); Possession of a Fentanyl-Related Compound (F-4); Having Weapons While Under Disability (F-3); Unlawful Possession of a Dangerous Ordnance (F-5).

Joshua Malone, 34, Pedro — Criminal Non-Support.

An indictment is merely a formal charge and does not indicate guilt.
F = Felony, M = Misdemeanor; numbers indicate the degree of the offense.

08/07/2026

Major Drug Offender Sentenced to 28–33½ Years in Prison

On January 5, 2026, a South Point Police Department officer attempted to stop a vehicle for an equipment violation. Instead of stopping, the driver fled at a high rate of speed, driving through residential yards before crashing through a chain-link fence and ultimately striking a parked box truck.

During the pursuit, nearly four pounds of methamphetamine and approximately one ounce of fentanyl were thrown from the vehicle. The narcotics were later recovered by law enforcement.

Following the crash, the driver fled from the vehicle on foot but was apprehended by the pursuing officer. The driver was identified as Markus A. Davis, Jr., 33, of Austin, Texas.

After a two-day jury trial, Davis was found guilty on all counts on July 14, 2026. The case was prosecuted by Lawrence County Prosecutor Brigham Anderson.

Davis was convicted of:
• Tampering with Evidence (F3)
• Failure to Comply with the Order or Signal of a Police Officer (F3)
• Aggravated Trafficking in Drugs (F1 MDO)
• Aggravated Possession of Drugs (F1 MDO)
• Trafficking in a Fentanyl-Related Compound (F1)
• Possession of a Fentanyl-Related Compound (F1)

On August 5, 2026, the Honorable Judge Christen Finley sentenced Davis to an aggregate prison term of 28 to 33½ years, with the applicable counts ordered to be served consecutively.

This case began with what appeared to be a routine traffic stop and quickly turned into a dangerous pursuit involving a significant quantity of methamphetamine and fentanyl. The outcome demonstrates the importance of the work done by our local law enforcement officers, investigators, and prosecutors to hold those who traffic dangerous drugs accountable.

F = Felony; the number indicates the degree of the offense.
MDO = Major Drug Offender; a designation for the most serious drug offenders that carries substantially enhanced penalties.

07/24/2026

The Lawrence County Grand Jury returned the following indictments during the July 2026 Session:

Samantha J. Farris, 46, Huntington, WV — Aggravated Possession of Drugs (F-5); Theft (M-1).

Gage L. Sly, 19, Pedro — Felonious Assault (F-1); Tampering with Evidence (F-3); Resisting Arrest (F-4).

Laurisha J. Nelson, 38, South Point — Aggravated Possession of Drugs (F-5); Possession of a Fentanyl-Related Compound (F-5).

Tashawn A. Jeter, 21, Winston-Salem, NC — Failure to Comply with the Order or Signal of a Police Officer (F-3); Obstructing Official Business (M-2).

Shawn A. Delong, 48, Pedro — Failure to Appear (F-4); Tampering with Evidence (F-3); Aggravated Possession of Drugs (F-3); Obstructing Official Business (M-2).

Cassandra M. Russell, 41, Ironton — Aggravated Possession of Drugs (F-5); Possession of a Fentanyl-Related Compound (F-5).

Patricia D. Gore, 60, Ashland, KY — Felonious Assault (F-1); Failure to Comply with the Order or Signal of a Police Officer (F-3); Having Weapons While Under Disability (F-3); Aggravated Possession of Drugs (F-5).

Arnold R. Anderson, 48, Ironton — Grand Theft (F-4) (2 counts).

Carlos James, 22, Catlettsburg, KY — Tampering with Evidence (F-3); Receiving Stolen Property (F-5); Receiving Stolen Property (F-4); Possession of Criminal Tools (F-5).

Kevin Sheridan, 54, South Webster — OVI (F-3).

Steven Overbee, 51, Wurtland, KY — Failure to Appear (F-4); Aggravated Burglary (F-1); Domestic Violence (M-1); Disrupting Public Services (F-4).

Miranda Brandenburg, 35, Scottown — Passing Bad Checks (F-5).
Kane Norman, 27, Ironton — Vandalism (F-4); Theft of a Motor Vehicle (F-4).

Anthony Driver, 37, Ironton — Domestic Violence (F-4).
Johnny Ray Johnson, 29, Chesapeake — Burglary (F-2) (2 counts); Criminal Trespassing (M-4).

An indictment is merely a formal charge and does not indicate guilt.

F = Felony, M = Misdemeanor; numbers indicate the degree of the offense.

07/10/2026

The Lawrence County Grand Jury returned the following indictments during the June 2026 Session:

James D. Dement, 52, Chesapeake — Illegal Conveyance of Drugs of Abuse onto the Grounds of a Specified Governmental Facility (F-3); Aggravated Possession of Drugs (F-5).

Tammy L. Warboy, 50, Ironton — Aggravated Arson (F-2).

Willie Sherman Blevins, 51, South Point — Compelling Prostitution (F-3).

Billy McKenzie, 47, South Point — Theft of a Firearm (F-3).

Virginia McKenzie, 47, South Point — Theft of a Firearm (F-3).

Brittany Nichole Lambert, 42, Ironton — Illegal Conveyance of Drugs of Abuse onto the Grounds of a Specified Governmental Facility (F-3); Tampering with Evidence (F-3).

Shelby M. Persons, 32, Huntington, WV — Aggravated Possession of Drugs (F-5).

Michael D. McComas, 33, Huntington, WV — Possession of a Fentanyl-Related Compound (F-5); Aggravated Possession of Drugs (F-3).

Aaron C. Donathan, 53, Rush, KY — Aggravated Possession of Drugs (F-3).

Keith Allen Hicks, 39, South Point — Trafficking in Co***ne (F-5) (5 counts); Possession of Co***ne (F-5).

Justin Reed, 35, Clarksburg, WV — Forgery (F-5); Theft by Deception (F-5).

Aaron Dorsey, 25, Point Pleasant, WV — Forgery (F-5) (2 counts); Theft by Deception (F-5); Passing Bad Checks (F-5).

Cody A. Kelley, 33, Coal Grove — Theft (F-4) (2 counts).

Stephanie Dawn Stevenson, 50, Huntington, WV — Tampering with Evidence (F-3).

Kayden Patrick Dutey Anderson, 18, Ironton — Failure to Comply with the Order or Signal of a Police Officer (F-3).

Benjamin S. Hughes, 52, Ironton — Aggravated Possession of Drugs (F-3); Aggravated Trafficking in Drugs (F-3); Possession of a Fentanyl-Related Compound (F-5); Trafficking in a Fentanyl-Related Compound (F-5); Aggravated Possession of Drugs (F-5).

Justin A. Yates, 38, Ironton — R**e (F-1) (2 counts); Kidnapping (F-1); Aggravated Burglary (F-1).

Bradrick G. Jenkins, 42, Ironton — Theft (F-4) (3 counts).

Thomas L. Irvin, 57, Columbus — Aggravated Trafficking in Drugs (F-3); Aggravated Possession of Drugs (F-3); Possession of Co***ne (F-5); Failure to Appear (F-4); Receiving Proceeds of an Offense Subject to Forfeiture Proceedings (M-1).

Angela Marcum, 57, Huntington, WV — Aggravated Trafficking in Drugs (F-3); Aggravated Possession of Drugs (F-3); Tampering with Evidence (F-3).

Tamarua Jean Dillon, 41, South Point — Trafficking in a Fentanyl-Related Compound (F-3).

8 Secret Indictments were issued.
An indictment is merely a formal charge and does not indicate guilt.

F = Felony, M = Misdemeanor; numbers indicate the degree of the offense.

06/12/2026

SENTENCING UPDATE

On June 10, 2026, in Lawrence County Common Pleas Court, the Honorable Christen Finley sentenced 54-year-old Flint E. Topping of Ironton to 70 to 74 years in an Ohio Department of Corrections Institution.
Topping was found guilty on May 12, 2026, following a two-day jury trial. The jury convicted Topping of twenty counts of fourth-degree felony Pandering Sexually Oriented Matter Involving a Minor or Impaired Person and five counts of second-degree felony Pandering Sexually Oriented Matter Involving a Minor or Impaired Person, all violations of Ohio Revised Code 2907.322.
Lawrence County Prosecutor Brigham Anderson would like to thank the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office, the Ashland Police Department, and the Ohio Adult Parole Authority for their tireless efforts throughout the investigation and prosecution of this case and for their continued commitment to protecting the citizens of Lawrence County.

Photo description:
The image on the right is the booking photo of Flint E. Topping. The image on the left shows Lawrence County Prosecutor Brigham Anderson and the Honorable Christen Finley during closing arguments in Lawrence County Common Pleas Court.

05/26/2026

The Lawrence County Grand Jury returned the following indictments during the May 2026 Session:

Jeffrey Scott Spencer, 48, address unknown — Aggravated Possession of Drugs (F-5); Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (M-4); Operating a Motor Vehicle While Under the Influence of Alcohol or Drugs (M-1).

Eli Aaron Freeman, 20, Scottown — Strangulation (F-3); Disrupting Public Services (F-4); Domestic Violence (F-5).

Donald Cottrill, 50, Ironton — Aggravated Trafficking in Drugs (F-3); Possession of a Fentanyl-Related Compound (F-5); Receiving Proceeds of an Offense Subject to Forfeiture Proceedings (F-5).

Shawn A. Delong, 48, Pedro — Tampering with Evidence (F-3); Aggravated Possession of Drugs (F-5); Obstructing Official Business (M-2).

Jordan Dickens, 35, South Point — Possession of a Fentanyl-Related Compound (F-5).

Reginald E. Kinstler, 47, Coal Grove — Aggravated Trafficking in Drugs (F-2) (5 counts); Trafficking in a Fentanyl-Related Compound (F-4) (2 counts); Aggravated Possession of Drugs (F-3); Possession of a Fentanyl-Related Compound (F-4).

David Hatton, 55, Prestonsburg, KY — Aggravated Possession of Drugs (F-5); Having Weapons While Under Disability (F-3); Improper Handling of a Firearm in a Motor Vehicle (F-5).

Eddie Hill, 46, Pedro — Open Dumping (Unclassified Felony); Abandoning Animals (M-2) (7 counts); Prohibitions Concerning Companion Animals (M-1) (7 counts).

Tracy Lee Dement, 55, Chesapeake — OVI (F-3); Possession of Drugs (F-5).

An indictment is merely a formal charge and does not indicate guilt.

F = Felony, M = Misdemeanor; numbers indicate the degree of the offense.

05/15/2026

05/12/2026

SENTENCING UPDATE

On June 10, 2026, in Lawrence County Common Pleas Court, the Honorable Christen Finley sentenced 54-year-old Flint E. Topping of Ironton to 70 to 74 years in an Ohio Department of Corrections Institution.
Topping was found guilty on May 12, 2026, following a two-day jury trial. The jury convicted Topping of twenty counts of fourth-degree felony Pandering Sexually Oriented Matter Involving a Minor or Impaired Person and five counts of second-degree felony Pandering Sexually Oriented Matter Involving a Minor or Impaired Person, all violations of Ohio Revised Code 2907.322.
Lawrence County Prosecutor Brigham Anderson would like to thank the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office, the Ashland Police Department, and the Ohio Adult Parole Authority for their tireless efforts throughout the investigation and prosecution of this case and for their continued commitment to protecting the citizens of Lawrence County.

__________________________________________________________________

On May 12, 2026, following a two-day jury trial in Lawrence County Common Pleas Court before the Honorable Christen Finley, 54-year-old Flint E. Topping of Ironton was found guilty of twenty counts of fourth-degree felony Pandering Sexually Oriented Matter Involving a Minor or Impaired Person, and five counts of second-degree felony Pandering Sexually Oriented Matter Involving a Minor or Impaired Person, all violations of Ohio Revised Code 2907.322.

The maximum sentence allowed by law for these convictions is 74 years in an Ohio state penal institution.

Judge Finley set sentencing for June 10, 2026, in Lawrence County Common Pleas Court.

Lawrence County Prosecutor Brigham Anderson would like to thank the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office, the Ashland Police Department, and the Ohio Adult Parole Authority for their tireless efforts in this case and for their continued work in helping protect the citizens of Lawrence County.

Photo description:
The image on the left is the booking photo of Flint E. Topping. The image on the right shows Lawrence County Prosecutor Brigham Anderson and the Honorable Christen Finley during closing arguments in Lawrence County Common Pleas Court.

04/30/2026

The Lawrence County Grand Jury returned the following indictments during the April 2026 Session:

Shalya R. Perkins, 34, Pedro — Theft (F-5).

Crystal Dawn Lucas, 40, South Point — Theft from a Person in a Protected Class (F-4).

Jaclyn M. Stiltner, 47, Proctorville — Grand Theft (F-3); Theft (F-5).

Johann A. Lattimer, 33, Euclid — Aggravated Possession of Drugs (F-4); Aggravated Trafficking in Drugs (F-4).

Dazeshawn Demond Crim, 32, Detroit, MI — Aggravated Trafficking in Drugs (F-3) (2 counts); Aggravated Possession of Drugs (F-3) (2 counts); Aggravated Trafficking in Drugs (F-2); Aggravated Possession of Drugs (F-2); Trafficking in Ma*****na (F-3); Possession of Ma*****na (F-3).

John D. Davis, 35, Coal Grove — Grand Theft of a Motor Vehicle (F-4) (2 counts).

Kayla Thompson, 25, Huntington, WV — Tampering with Evidence (F-3); Criminal Damaging (M-2).

Roger Burress, 67, South Point — Domestic Violence (F-4).

Dantonio D. Swanson, Jr., 33, Detroit, MI — Aggravated Trafficking in Drugs (F-1) with Major Drug Offender Specification; Aggravated Possession of Drugs (F-1) with Major Drug Offender Specification; Trafficking in a Fentanyl-Related Compound (F-1); Possession of a Fentanyl-Related Compound (F-1); Tampering with Evidence (F-3).

William J. Scherer, 54, Pedro — Domestic Violence (F-4).

Austin M. Sharp, 30, Ironton — Aggravated Trafficking in Drugs (F-3); Aggravated Possession of Drugs (F-3); Resisting Arrest (M-2); Engaging in a Pattern of Corrupt Activity (F-2).

Tara Lynn Fyffe, 33, Kitts Hill — Trafficking in a Fentanyl-Related Compound (F-4) (2 counts); Possession of a Fentanyl-Related Compound (F-4) (2 counts); Tampering with Evidence (F-3); Illegal Conveyance of Prohibited Items onto the Grounds of a Detention Facility or Institution (F-3).

Andrew J. Gillum, 41, Ironton — Aggravated Possession of Drugs (F-5).

Veronica L. Reynolds, 45, Ironton — Aggravated Possession of Drugs (F-3).

Savannah N. Murphy, 32, Pedro — Trafficking in Fentanyl (F-3) (2 counts); Trafficking in Fentanyl (F-4); Aggravated Trafficking in Drugs (F-5); Engaging in a Pattern of Corrupt Activity (F-3).

John D. Larson, 46, Ironton — Aggravated Possession of Drugs (F-5).

Mickey R. Wilson, 37, Ironton — Intimidation of a Victim (F-3).

Zachary Jenkins, 35, Pedro — Engaging in a Pattern of Corrupt Activity (F-2).

Casey P. O’Brien, 35, Springfield — Failure to Comply with the Order or Signal of a Police Officer (F-4); Improper Handling of a Firearm in a Motor Vehicle (F-4).

An indictment is merely a formal charge and does not indicate guilt.
* F = Felony, M = Misdemeanor; numbers indicate the degree of the offense.

04/30/2026

On April 27, 2026, following a jury trial in Lawrence County Common Pleas Court before Judge Andrew Ballard, Jason Edward Fritz, 47, of Ironton, Ohio, was found guilty and convicted on 17 counts of Pandering Sexually Oriented Matter Involving a Minor or Impaired Person.

Each count is a second-degree felony and is a violation of Ohio Revised Code 2907.322. Fritz faces a maximum possible sentence of 136 years in prison.

Sentencing is scheduled for May 20, 2026, in Lawrence County Common Pleas Court.

Lawrence County Prosecutor Brigham M. Anderson would like to thank the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office, the Ashland Police Department, and Hope’s Place for their assistance and continued support throughout this case. Their efforts reflect a shared commitment to protecting the citizens of Lawrence County and supporting victims through the criminal justice process.

(Pictured is a booking photo of Jason Fritz at the time of his arrest)