Trish Bennett, Editor
CIRCLEVILLE – The fourth of 11 suspects considered “upper management” of a drug ring that resulted in 72 indictments in March has been sentenced to a lengthy prison term for the crime.
Jessica Dodge, 34, pleaded guilty May 21 to engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity, trafficking in heroin and trafficking in cocaine. She was sentenced to eight years in state prison at Marysville and a six-month driver’s license suspension on June 24 by Judge P. Randall Knece in Pickaway County Common Pleas Court.
Nicole Grambo, 35, was the first of the 11 to be sentenced on the state organized crime charge of engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity, along with trafficking in cocaine and trafficking in heroin. She pleaded guilty May 27 and was sentenced to four years in state prison at Marysville, plus an additional four years suspended, and five years of community control.
Thomas M. Binkley II, 33, and Erica D. Moretti, 26, each earned a mandatory 11 years behind bars for their participation in the large drug ring that Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine described as operating in Circleville like a pizza delivery business.
The following is the status of each “upper management” case as of July 2:
1. Thomas M. Binkley II, 33, engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity and trafficking in cocaine. He was sentenced to a mandatory 11 years in state prison with an additional seven years suspended.
2. Jermaine Bozeman, 31, engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity, two counts of trafficking in cocaine and one count of trafficking in heroin. A jury trial is set for Aug. 10.
3. David Caslin, 44, engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity, three counts of trafficking in cocaine and one count of trafficking in heroin. A jury trial set for Aug. 10.
4. Jessica Dodge, 34, pleaded guilty May 21 to engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity, trafficking in heroin and trafficking in cocaine. She was sentenced to eight years in state prison at Marysville and a six-month driver’s license suspension on June 24.
5. Dejon Dunning, 27, engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity, two counts of trafficking in cocaine and one count of trafficking in heroin. A jury trial set for Aug. 10.
6. Reashawn Dunning, 30, engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity and drug trafficking. The status of his case could not be confirmed at time of publication.
7. Nicole Grambo, 35, pleaded guilty May 27 to her charges of engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity, trafficking in cocaine and trafficking in heroin. She was sentenced to four years in state prison at Marysville, plus an additional four years suspended, and five years of community control.
8. Reuben Joyner, engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity, two counts of trafficking in cocaine and two counts of trafficking in heroin. The status of his case could not be confirmed at time of publication.
9. Erica D. Moretti, 26, engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity and trafficking in cocaine. She was sentenced to a mandatory 11 years in state prison with an additional five years suspended.
10. Andrew E. Swift, 45, engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity, two counts of trafficking in cocaine and two counts of trafficking in heroin. A jury trial is set for July 20.
11. Anesha R. Swift, 25, engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity, two counts of trafficking in cocaine and one count of trafficking in heroin. She pleaded guilty to her charges May 28 and will be sentenced following a pre-sentence investigation by the court.
Only one of the six suspects considered “middle management” of the ring has been sentenced so far in Pickaway County Common Pleas Court. Arnold Pennington Jr., 35, is serving 30 months in state prison after pleading guilty to trafficking in heroin and trafficking in cocaine on April 29.
The current status of the “middle management” cases as of July 2 are as follows:
1. Rodney A. Evans, 46, three counts of trafficking in cocaine and two counts of trafficking in heroin. A jury trial is set for July 16.
2. Elisa Leasure, 41, pleaded not guilty June 17 to charges of trafficking in drugs, possession of heroin and possession of cocaine. She is set for jury trial July 13.
3. Arnold Pennington Jr., 35, trafficking in heroin and trafficking in cocaine. He was sentenced to 30 months in state prison on April 29. His sentence includes time for a charge of escape from a previous case.
4. Lindsey N. Pyle, 20, trafficking in heroin and trafficking in cocaine. She has already pleaded guilty to her charges on June 4 and will be sentenced following a pre-sentence investigation by the court.
5. Pamela S. Swift, 44, trafficking in heroin and trafficking in cocaine. A jury trial is set for July 16.
6. Betsy Vangundy, 22, trafficking in cocaine and trafficking in heroin. She pleaded guilty to both charges June 24 and filed a motion for treatment in lieu of conviction. She will be sentenced following a pre-sentence investigation by the court.
The remaining 55 suspects, all considered the “customers” in the ring, were charged with possession of heroin and/or cocaine. Their current case statuses as of July 2 are as follows:
1. Mary Barton, 22, of Circleville, two counts of possession of heroin. Barton pleaded guilty to both charges June 24 and will be sentenced following a pre-sentence investigation by the court.
2. Julia Boyer, 45, of Circleville, two counts of possession of cocaine. A jury trial is set for July 9.
3. Terri N. Byrd, 24, of Circleville, one count of possession of cocaine and one count of possession of heroin. A jury trial is set for July 9.
4. Donald E. Cassady, 44, of Orient, one count of possession of cocaine and one count of possession of heroin. A jury trial is set for July 13.
5. Mallory L. Cordell, 20, of Circleville, two counts of possession of heroin. She pleaded guilty to both counts on May 27 and filed a motion for treatment in lieu of conviction. She will be sentenced following a pre-sentence investigation by the court.
6. Elyse D. Craig, 25, of Circleville, two counts of possession of heroin. She pleaded guilty to both counts on May 27 and filed a motion for treatment in lieu of conviction. She will be sentenced following a pre-sentence investigation by the court.
7. Joshua T. Cross, 33, of Circleville, two counts of possession of heroin. He pleaded guilty to both counts on May 27 and filed a motion for treatment in lieu of conviction. He will be sentenced following a pre-sentence investigation by the court.
8. Roger C. Derr, 40, of Circleville, two counts of possession of heroin. He pleaded guilty to both counts on May 27 and was sentenced to 14 months in state prison at Orient and a six-month driver’s license suspension.
9. Gwen A. Draise, 37, of Stoutsville, two counts of possession of cocaine. She pleaded guilty to both counts and was sentenced to 11 months in state prison (suspended) and a six-month driver’s license suspension. She also must serve three years of community control and complete a community-based correctional facility program.
10. Sherri A. Evans, 45, of Circleville, two counts of possession of cocaine. An entry of dismissal without prejudice was filed May 20, which means the same or amended charges could be filed at a later date.
11. Michael S. Eversole, 27, of Circleville, one count possession of heroin and one count possession of cocaine. A hearing on a motion for intervention in lieu of conviction set for June 23 was continued to July 8.
12. Dustin A. Fausnaugh, 25, of Circleville, two counts of possession of cocaine. An entry of dismissal without prejudice was filed June 10, which means the same or amended charges could be filed at a later date.
13. Daniel K. Ferry, 54, of Williamsport, two counts of possession of heroin. An entry of dismissal without prejudice was filed May 27, which means the same or amended charges could be filed at a later date.
14. Amy K. Frazier, 36, of Circleville, two counts of possession of heroin. She pleaded guilty to both counts on May 20 and filed a motion for treatment in lieu of conviction. She will be sentenced following a pre-sentence investigation by the court.
15. Carey “Rocky” Gilpen Jr., 43, of Columbus, two counts of possession of cocaine. A jury trial is set for July 9.
16. Carey Gilpen III, 23, of Circleville, two counts of possession of cocaine. He pleaded guilty to both counts May 27 and filed a motion for treatment in lieu of conviction. He will be sentenced following a pre-sentence investigation by the court.
17. Harold D. Hamilton, 60, of Clarksburg, two counts of possession of cocaine. A jury trial is set for July 9.
18. Kenneth Hardman, 40, of Circleville, one count of possession of cocaine and one count of possession of heroin. An entry of dismissal without prejudice was filed May 27, which means the same or amended charges could be filed at a later date.
19. Rhonda Hardman, 42, of Circleville, one count of possession of cocaine and one counts of possession of heroin. A jury trial is set for July 9.
20. John F. Hill, 49, of Circleville, two counts of possession of cocaine. An entry of dismissal without prejudice was filed June 10, which means the same or amended charges could be filed at a later date.
21. Thomas B. Hunt, 47, of Circleville, two counts of possession of cocaine. An entry of dismissal without prejudice was filed June 29, which means the same or amended charges could be filed at a later date.
22. Christina A. Jenkins, 34, of Circleville, two counts of possession of cocaine. An entry of dismissal without prejudice was filed June 29, which means the same or amended charges could be filed at a later date.
23. Jason H. Johnson, 36, of Circleville, two counts of possession of cocaine. A jury trial is set for July 9.
24. Tyler A. Johnson, 23, of Circleville, two counts of possession of heroin. He pleaded guilty to both counts May 27 and filed a motion for treatment in lieu of conviction. He will be sentenced following a pre-sentence investigation by the court.
25. Travis R. Kellough, 25, of Circleville, two counts of possession of heroin. He pleaded guilty to both charges May 6 and was sentenced to 14 months in state prison at Orient and a six-month driver’s license suspension.
26. Brian M. Kitchen, 23, of Circleville, two counts of possession of heroin. A jury trial is set for Aug. 20.
27. Jason P. Lambert, 41, of Circleville, two counts of possession of cocaine. A jury trial is set for July 9.
28. Malaine Lambiase, 26, of Circleville, two counts of possession of heroin. She pleaded guilty to both charges plus a violation of terms of intervention on April 16. She was sentenced to 18 months in state prison at Marysville and a six-month driver’s license suspension.
29. Nicole L. Leasure, 39, of Circleville, two counts of possession of cocaine. A jury trial is set for July 16.
30. Bobby L. Lowry, 39, of Circleville, two counts of possession of cocaine. A jury trial is set for July 16.
31. Cody S. McKibben, 24, of Circleville, two counts of possession of heroin. A jury trial is set for July 13.
32. Rusti N. Neff, 28, of Circleville, two counts of possession of heroin. A jury trial is set for July 16.
33. Timothy Neff Jr., 35, of Circleville, two counts of possession of cocaine. A jury trial is set for Aug. 20.
34. Bryan T. Parmer, 34, of Circleville, one count of possession of cocaine and one count of possession of heroin. Parmer also currently faces two unrelated counts of grand theft in Pickaway County Common Pleas Court. At a plea hearing June 17, Parmer pleaded guilty to one count of possession of heroin and one count of grand theft. He will be sentenced following a pre-sentence investigation by the court.
35. Michelle R. Parmer, 34, of Circleville, two counts of possession of cocaine. A motion hearing for intervention in lieu of conviction set for June 23 was continued to July 8.
36. Jaime D. Pennington, 38, of South Bloomfield, one count of possession of cocaine and one count of possession of heroin. She pleaded guilty to both counts July 1 and will be sentenced following a pre-sentence investigation by the court.
37. Carre L. Perkins, 49, of Laurelville, two counts of possession of heroin. She pleaded guilty to both counts June 24 and will be sentenced following a pre-sentence investigation by the court.
38. Kendra A. Queen, 25, of South Bloomfield, two counts of possession of heroin. She pleaded guilty to both counts June 24 and will be sentenced following a pre-sentence investigation by the court.
39. Jessica R. Quito, 31, of Circleville, two counts of possession of cocaine. She pleaded guilty to both charges June 3 and filed a motion for intervention in lieu of conviction. She will be sentenced following a pre-sentence investigation by the court.
40. Philip A. Reichelderfer, 32, of Circleville, two counts of possession of cocaine. A jury trial is set for July 23.
41. Carla J. Riffle, 42, of Circleville, two counts of possession of heroin. She pleaded guilty to one count July 1 and will be sentenced following a pre-sentence investigation by the court.
42. Doris Riffle, 81, of Circleville, one count of permitting drug abuse. An entry of dismissal without prejudice was filed June 29, which means the same or amended charges could be filed at a later date.
43. Renee S. Rittenhouse, 32, of Circleville, two counts of possession of cocaine. She pleaded guilty to both on June 11 and has filed a motion for intervention in lieu of conviction. She will be sentenced following a pre-sentence investigation by the court.
44. Heath Z. Rowland, 26, of Circleville, one count of possession of cocaine and one counts of possession of heroin. He pleaded guilty to both counts and was sentenced to two years in state prison and a six-month driver’s license suspension.
45. Shannon W. Schwalbauch, 40, of Circleville, two counts of possession of cocaine. A jury trial is set for July 16, but a petition to enter a plea of guilty was filed July 1.
46. Laurie L. Smith, 38, of Circleville, two counts of possession of cocaine. She pleaded guilty to both counts June 24 and will be sentenced following a pre-sentence investigation by the court.
47. Terra N. Smith, 38, of Circleville, two counts of possession of cocaine. A jury trial is set for July 15.
48. John P. Sutton, 60, of Circleville, two counts of possession of cocaine. He pleaded guilty on June 17 and filed a motion for treatment in lieu of conviction. He will be sentenced following a pre-sentence investigation by the court.
49. Billie Jo Thompson, 38, of Circleville, two counts of possession of cocaine. A plea hearing and motion for intervention in lieu of conviction was held June 17, and her case was continued to Aug. 20.
50. Tamera J. Thornton, 55, of Circleville, one count of possession of cocaine and one count of possession of heroin. She pleaded guilty to both charges June 24 and filed a motion for intervention in lieu of conviction. She will be sentenced following a pre-sentence investigation by the court.
51. Mary A. Walker, 50, of Circleville, two counts of possession of cocaine. She pleaded guilty to both counts on June 24 and will be sentenced following a pre-sentence investigation by the court.
52. Christian Welsh, two counts of possession of cocaine. A jury trial is set for Aug. 6.
53. James H. Williams, 60, of Circleville, two counts of possession of cocaine. A jury trial is set for July 9.
54. Cassandra N. Young, 34, of Williamsport, two counts of possession of heroin. A jury trial is set for July 9.
55. William R. Young Jr., 37, of Circleville, two counts of possession of heroin. A jury trial is set for July 13. Young also faces additional unrelated charges in Pickaway County Common Pleas Court of breaking and entering and theft from the elderly.
This article originally appeared on The Pickaway News Journal
