Latest news with #ClarkCountySheriffsOffice
Yahoo
02-07-2025
- Yahoo
Drug operation results in 6 indictments in Clark County
Jul. 1—A large drug trafficking investigation in western Clark County involving nearby jurisdictions ended with six indictments in Clark County, the sheriff's office announced Tuesday. The investigation found a wide "network of traffickers" of multiple drugs including meth, oxycodone, benzodiazepine, MDMA and cocaine in Clark County and nearby areas. It completed Monday with the subsequent indictments. The Clark County Sheriff's Office began investigating in August 2022 after learning of "multiple drug trafficking incidents" in Park Layne and Crystal Lakes in western Clark County, the sheriff's office said in a release. Investigators found "a wider network of traffickers" in and outside of Clark County and brought in federal assistance, as well as the Ohio Narcotics Intelligence Center and Clark County prosecutor. Investigators completed multiple controlled buys and surveillance to get a "complete picture of the whole trafficking network and the interactions and contacts between the individuals involved," according to a release. The Clark County Sheriff's Office and Montgomery County Sheriff's Office — Harrison Twp. Division conducted a "warrant blitz" Saturday in Clark and Montgomery Counties to arrest six people on Grand Jury indictments. Five were arrested Saturday and one was arrested Monday in Clark County. One person, who is unnamed in the release, engaged in a four-hour standoff with the CCSO and special operations team but was arrested without injury to them or law enforcement. "As a result of this extensive operation, a significant threat to the health and safety of the Clark County community has been dismantled, and the personnel of the Sheriff's Office will continue to exert extraordinary efforts to ensure the safety and security of the citizens we serve‚" the sheriff's office said in the release. Six people were indicted on the following charges: — Michael Seals, 33, of Dayton: Engaging in pattern of corrupt activity (first-degree felony), four counts of aggravated trafficking in drugs (one first-degree felony, one second-degree felony and two fourth-degree felonies), four counts of aggravated possession of drugs (one first-degree felony, one second-degree felony, one fourth-degree felony and one fifth-degree felony). — Michelle Ratliff, 50, of Dayton: Engaging in pattern of corrupt activity (first-degree felony), aggravated trafficking in drugs (second-degree felony), aggravated possession of drugs (second-degree felony). — Jimmy Watkins, 48, of Medway: Engaging in pattern of corrupt activity (first-degree felony), aggravated trafficking in drugs (first-degree felony), two counts of aggravated possession of drugs (one first-degree felony and one fifth-degree felony). — William Wilkin, 57, of New Carlisle: Engaging in pattern of corrupt activity (first-degree felony), 10 counts of aggravated trafficking in drugs (six third-degree felonies, three fourth-degree felonies, one fifth degree felony), seven counts of aggravated possession of drugs (four third-degree felonies, three fifth degree felonies). — John Stumbo, 42, of Medway: Engaging in pattern of corrupt activity (first-degree felony), aggravated trafficking in drugs (fourth-degree felony), aggravated possession of drugs (fifth degree felony), two counts of having weapons under disability (third-degree felonies). — Jade Anderson, 26, of Springfield: Engaging in pattern of corrupt activity (first-degree felony), aggravated trafficking in drugs (second-degree felony), aggravated possession of drugs (second-degree felony).
Associated Press
16-05-2025
- Associated Press
Family of Black man fatally shot by Washington sheriff's deputy settles lawsuit for $3.5 million
VANCOUVER, Wash. (AP) — Family members of a Black motorist fatally shot by a deputy in southwestern Washington state during a traffic stop have settled their wrongful death lawsuit for $3.5 million. The Clark County Council agreed Wednesday to make the payment in the 2021 death of 30-year-old Jenoah Donald, The Columbian reported. Donald lived in the city of Battle Ground, Washington, and died Feb. 12, eight days after he was shot in the head by Sean Boyle, a deputy with the Clark Sounty Sheriff's Office. The family filed the federal lawsuit in 2022 in U.S. District Court in Tacoma alleging wrongful death, assault and battery, negligence and deprivation of civil rights. Trial was set to start June 9. Attorneys for the Donald family said in a statement that the settlement provides accountability and closure. 'This outcome honors Jenoah Donald's life and underscores a simple truth: When officers ignore their training and resort to needless lethal force, they will be held accountable,' attorney Angus Lee said in the statement. The county 'continues to deny liability for this unfortunate incident,' county spokeswoman Joni McAnally told the newspaper. Prosecuting attorneys from outside Clark County examined the shooting and found it was justified in protecting the deputies. Deputies that night responded to a call about two cars suspiciously driving around a neighborhood and pulled over Donald's car for what they described as a faulty rear light. Lawyers for Donald's family argued in the lawsuit that was an unlawful stop, citing a 1999 Washington Supreme Court case that found it is unconstitutional for police to use a traffic stop as an excuse to investigate suspected criminal activity. The family's attorneys said Donald was cooperative initially. The situation escalated after another deputy, Holly Troupe, said she saw a sharp object inside Donald's vehicle, which investigators later said was a screwdriver. A struggle ensued as Boyle and Troupe tried to pull Donald out of the car, an outside investigation showed. Boyle fired twice when Donald ignored commands to let him go as the car lurched forward with the deputy partially inside, according to investigators. One bullet hit and killed Donald. Donald was on the autism spectrum and prone to withdrawal in stressful situations, his lawyers have said. Donald was the second Black man killed by deputies in four months. On Oct. 29, a law enforcement task force attempted a drug sting involving 21-year-old Kevin Peterson Jr. It ended with three deputies firing at Peterson as he ran away while carrying a gun. Peterson's family, represented by the same attorneys, sued the county in 2022. The county later agreed to pay his family $1.25 million to settle the lawsuit. That shooting also was deemed justified by prosecutors.
