Latest news with #MuskingumCountyProsecutor'sOffice
Yahoo
28-03-2025
- Yahoo
Columbus man incriminated by security system pleads guilty to felony assault
ZANESVILLE ‒ A shooting at a Wheeling Avenue house earlier this year involved a Columbus man, who was partially incriminated by the residence's own security system. Chaison Dewayne Suber, also known as Yak, 28, recently pleaded guilty to two counts, felony assault with a firearm, a second-degree felony, and possessing a weapon while under disability, a third-degree felony. Suber could receive up to $15,000 in fines and eight years for felonious assault, plus another mandatory three for the count's gun specification. He could also be given up to three years and a $10,000 fine for gun possession. In January, Zanesville police responded to Wheeling Avenue address for a medical emergency. There, responders found a male victim with a gunshot wound to his lower left leg, explained an announcement from the Muskingum County Prosecutor's Office. Suber was quickly identified as a suspect after witnesses reportedly told investigators that he and the victim had gotten into an argument before the shooting. A security camera at the house also showed the two arguing and Suber pulling a gun from underneath a pillow and shooting the victim. The victim was transported to Genesis Hospital, where he underwent surgery. Police retrieved the firearm, a 9mm handgun with an extended magazine behind paneling in an upstairs bedroom, the announcement added. "He also admitted to having a weapon illegally since he was already on supervised release from a federal drug case involving meth and fentanyl," the announcement said. Two of Suber's initial charges were dismissed as part of his plea deal, including two tampering with evidence counts, both third-degree felonies. Suber was represented by defense attorney Christopher Signil, while the state by Assistant Prosecuting Attorney John Litle. More: Escape Goats' puzzle rooms include speakeasy heist, Western showdown and murder mystery Shawn Digity is a reporter for the Zanesville Times Recorder. He can be emailed at sdigity@ or found on X at @ShawnDigityZTR. This article originally appeared on Zanesville Times Recorder: Columbus man pleads guilty to Zanesville shooting captured on camera
Yahoo
17-03-2025
- Yahoo
Woman pleads to money laundering charge after investigation into drug deals inside jail
ZANESVILLE ‒ One of two Nashport residents who authorities say used a money transfer app to aid in drug deals while incarcerated appeared in court, 10 months after an inmate died of a fentanyl overdose. The other remains in jail. Dakota McCormick was found unresponsive in the county jail on May 7, 2024, which prompted an investigation, according to an announcement from the Muskingum County Prosecutor's Office. Investigators found Antonio C. Cannada Sr., 44, and Chantay Lynn Dobbins, 57, had been brokering internal deals and receiving external payments through Dobbins' Cash App account. Cannada directed Dobbins to handle money for methamphetamine and fentanyl deals, which were later corroborated through jail phone calls, dorm videos, and Cash App records. Cannada was charged on seven felony counts: murder, an unclassified felony; involuntary manslaughter, first degree; corrupting another with drugs, first degree; illegal conveyance of drugs, third degree; money laundering, third degree; fentanyl trafficking, fourth degree; and fentanyl possession, fifth degree, in January. He plead not guilty on Feb. 5 and his bond was set at $1 million. Dobbins recently appeared in court, where she pleaded guilty to one count of money laundering, a third-degree felony. Dobbins could be sentenced to three years in prison and sanctioned up to $10,000 in fines. There's an optional post-release control of up to two years after her sentence. She is out on a recognizance bond. Inmates can't legally earn money while in jail or prison, the prosecutor's office said. The only legal way to transfer money or deliver gifts is by using a facility's commissary system. Money transferring apps have facilitated illicit drug purchases and illegal payments, which can lead to money laundering charges for those that assist. "This sad case shows how dangerous it can be when people assist with illegal money transactions for inmates. Drug dealing and helping drug dealers takes lives," said Assistant Prosecutor John Litle. "This is just one of many cases we're working on right now. We're going after girlfriends, wives, moms, sisters, and others tied to drug dealers in jail. We'll hold everyone accountable, inside or outside the jail," he added. This article originally appeared on Zanesville Times Recorder: Investigation into Muskingum Co. Jail drug deals leads to conviction
Yahoo
14-03-2025
- Yahoo
Codey Starkey and Chiquita Rush sentenced one year after drug trafficking arrests
ZANESVILLE ‒ The Zanesville Times Recorder's top news story of 2024 recently reached a conclusion when a man and woman were sent to prison for a combined 34 years after being found with more than 900 grams of illicit drugs. Codey Edward Starkey, 40, and Chiquita Irene Rush, 38, both of Zanesville, were sentenced a year after their drug dealing operation was uncovered. Starkey, given 20 to 25.5 years in prison, pleaded no contest to four felonies: trafficking cocaine, first degree, trafficking methamphetamine, first degree, having weapons after being previously banned from owning them, third degree, and attempting to destroy evidence, third degree. Rush was sentenced to 14 years and pleaded no contest to two felonies: trafficking fentanyl, first degree, and possessing weapons while previously banned, third-degree. No contest pleas meant Rush and Starkey acknowledged the evidence against them but not admitting guilt. They accepted the consequences as if guilty, according to the Ohio Revised Code. They did so to preserve their ability to appeal, Assistant Prosecuting Attorney John Litle told the Times Recorder. "Rush admitted to helping Starkey sell cocaine and was present during drug deals. "Her sentence was shorter because she played a smaller role in the operation," stated an announcement from the Muskingum County Prosecutor's Office. In February 2024, the Central Ohio Drug Enforcement Task Force and the Zanesville and Muskingum County Drug Unit launched an investigation after an undercover drug-purchasing operation. "Police got a search warrant for their house and discovered large amounts of drugs and weapons," noted the prosecutor's announcement. Investigators found and confiscated more than 500 grams of marijuana, 300 grams of methamphetamine, more than 100 grams of fentanyl, and more than 30 grams of psychedelic mushrooms, the prosecutor's office explained. The narcotics' value totaled between $700,000 and $1 million, noted Times Recorder reports. During the search, Starkey tried to flush the drugs down the toilet to hide the evidence. Officers found fentanyl in the toilet and sink. At least three guns were seized, including an AK-47, AR-15, and 9mm handgun, along with ammunition. Other forfeitures included two vehicles, a Ford F-150 and Nissan Maxima, and around $3,700 in cash. The indictment also listed a third vehicle forfeiture, a Buick Verano. "These assets were determined to have been purchased with drug money and will be used to support future drug investigations and community programs," the prosecutor's office added. Starkey and Rush had been held in the Muskingum County Jail on $1 million bonds. Both had prior criminal records that banned them from owning a gun. Starkey's drug-related history and connected prison sentences were cause for concern. Common Pleas Judge Kelly Cottrill "agreed that a long sentence was needed to protect the public and punish Starkey for his continued criminal activity," the announcement said. Starkey and Rush were indicted February 2024 on 16 felony counts and 14, respectively. They were listed as co-defendants for 11 of them. Initially, they had each been looking at 40-plus years if they had been convicted on all counts. Other joint felony charges originally included illegal manufacturing, aggravated possession of drugs, and possession of cocaine, fentanyl, and marijuana. More: Zanesville council moves step closer to taking Anchor Church property by eminent domain Shawn Digity is a reporter for the Zanesville Times Recorder. He can be emailed at sdigity@ or found on X at @ShawnDigityZTR. This article originally appeared on Zanesville Times Recorder: Zanesville pair linked with drug dealing operation sentenced
Yahoo
01-03-2025
- Yahoo
Texts, web search tie Zanesville woman to Christmas murder of father-in-law
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – A Muskingum County woman could spend the rest of her life in prison after pleading guilty to killing her father-in-law on Christmas Day. According to the Muskingum County Prosecutor's Office, Brittany Cole of Zanesville pleaded guilty to the murder and abuse of corpse of her father-in-law, David Cole Sr., who was found in a shed behind a home on Somers Street in Zanesville. On Jan. 8, Zanesville police received a 911 call reporting a body behind the Cole residence, and officers found Cole Sr.'s body wrapped in a tarp and plastic mattress cover. Fort Rapids waterpark may finally be sold after legal hurdle cleared Initially an autopsy revealed that Cole Sr. died of natural causes related to heart disease or Parkinson's, but further investigation determined Brittany Cole's role in the cause of the death. Detectives collected digital evidence, texts between Brittany Cole and her husband, David Cole Jr., prompting a more intensive investigation. Nearly three weeks after Cole Sr.'s death, Brittany Cole confessed to killing him during an interview on Jan. 13. The prosecutor's office said that Brittany Cole gave Cole Sr. multiple Tylenol No. 3 with codeine tablets and a 'significant' amount of ZzzQuil on Dec. 24. When Cole Sr. complained of pain at 11 p.m. that night, she gave him additional doses of both medications, knowing it would be fatal. Brittany Cole said she discovered Cole Sr. was dead on Christmas morning and instructed family members to say he had moved to Cincinnati. She told police the family then went on vacation to Orlando, Florida, returning on Jan. 1, leaving Cole Sr.'s body in the bedroom. One week later, Cole Jr. and his son found Cole Sr. in the bedroom. Texts between Cole Jr. and Brittany Cole revealed plans to conceal and move the decomposing body. Evidence of an Amazon order for a mattress cover was discovered by detectives. Additionally, Social Security payments in the amount of $2,300 per month were deposited into a Park National Bank account, managed by Cole Jr. After Cole Sr.'s death, the couple continued to deposit the funds, with Cole Jr. sending Brittany Cole her $200 in December and January via CashApp for the water bill, while using the remaining funds for household items. Evidence collected also included camera footage of Cole Jr. finding the body, text messages about the smell and disposal plans, as well as a Google search by Brittany Cole entitled, 'when someone dies how long does it take for the body to start smelling.' On Wednesday, Brittany Cole was sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole after 16 years. Cole Jr., 44, was arrested on Feb. 20 and charged with two counts of tampering with evidence, processing criminal tools, abuse of a corpse, obstructing official business and endangering children. He has yet to face a judge in Muskingum County Court of Common Pleas. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
27-02-2025
- Yahoo
Woman sentenced to life in prison for murder of father-in-law; husband awaits day in court
ZANESVILLE ‒ Less than a week after her arrest, a Zanesville woman's arraignment was immediately followed by a plea hearing and a maximum sentencing. Brittany Lee Cole, 37, recently pleaded guilty and was convicted of murder, an unclassified felony, and gross abuse of a corpse, a fifth-degree felony, after her father-in-law's deceased body was found in a shed on her property. She was sentenced to life in prison, with only the possibility of parole after serving 16 years, matching a joint recommendation between assistant prosecuting attorney John Litle, and defense attorney Keith Edwards. On Feb. 10, the Zanesville Police Department went to a Somers Street residence belonging to Cole. Authorities surveyed the property and found the body of David Cole Sr., 80, wrapped in a tarp and plastic mattress cover in the shed. The body was in an advanced stage of decomposition, confirmed the Licking County coroner. Cole Sr.'s cause of death was initially believed to be of natural causes, but the investigation revealed it was a deadly combination of medications. On Dec. 24, Cole had administered a first dose of Zzzquil and Tylenol No. 3, a combination of acetaminophen and codeine, to her father-in-law. She gave him a second dosage of both drugs about 90 minutes later, after he complained of pain. She went to bed and found him deceased the next day. On Dec. 26, Cole and her family departed on a family trip to Orlando until Jan. 1. It wasn't until Jan. 8 that the case's co-defendant and Cole's husband, David Ralph Cole Jr., 44, discovered the body in a bedroom. The two worked together to wrap and move it into the shed. During Zanesville police's investigation, incriminating texts messages, video footage and Google searches were found. "Evidence included camera footage from Jan. 8 showing (Cole) Jr. finding the body, text messages about the smell and disposal plans, and Brittany's Dec. 25 Google search, 'when someone dies how long does it take for the body to start smelling,'" noted an announcement from the Muskingum County Prosecutor's Office. Both Coles were arrested and indicted on Feb. 20. Brittany confessed on Feb. 13. During her court appearance, Litle said there were financial motives to masking Cole Sr.'s death. He received more than $2,000 in monthly Social Security deposits, which were managed by Cole Jr. as his father's power of attorney. At least two payments of $200, for December and January, were transferred to Brittany via Cash App for utility bills and household expenses. Brittany did not originally say anything on her behalf during sentencing. When questioned by Judge Gerald Anderson II, she believed she was helping Cole Sr., who had many times been depressed, talked of suicide, and yearned to be with his late wife, she said. More: Sheriff: Muskingum University shooting scare could have been fueled by social media rumors Brittany's two sentences are running consecutively. Anderson handed her the 12-month maximum for gross abuse of a corpse, which increased the earliest parole possibility from 15 years to 16. Post-release control was not relevant in this case, Anderson added. If Cole is released, it would be on parole. Brittany will be required to register as a violent offender annually for 10 years, if she is released on parole. She was given credit for seven days served and had been held in the Muskingum County Jail on a $1 million bond. She had no prior criminal record. Cole Jr. is detained in the Muskingum County Jail but on a $500,000 bond. His case is pending, but he was initially charged with six felonies, including gross abuse of corpse, tampering with evidence (two counts), endangering children, obstructing justice, and possessing criminal tools. His arraignment is not scheduled yet. Shawn Digity is a reporter for the Zanesville Times Recorder. He can be emailed at sdigity@ or found on X at @ShawnDigityZTR. This article originally appeared on Zanesville Times Recorder: Zanesville woman gets life sentence after pleading guilty to murder
