News Release

On July 10, 2013 at around 6:07 pm, the Gallipolis Police Department received a call from family members that a subject that was living on the riverbank along Riverside Drive was missing. Officers responded to the area and found signs that led them to believe the subject was living there and that she may have entered the river.

Officers immediately began searching the riverbank for her, as well as other locations she may have gone. The Gallia County Sheriff’s Office also responded with their boat and conducted a search of the riverbank. So far, officials have been unable to locate her. River operations were called off at around 11:00pm due to conditions on the river, but it is hoped the search will be able to continue this morning.

The missing person is:

Name: Lisa L. Miller
Age: 43
Ht: 5’3”
Wt: 100 lbs.
Hair: sandy brown
Eyes: hazel

Ms. Miller has worked at two car washes on Eastern Avenue, most recently the one next to French Nails. At last report, she was seen wearing blue jeans and a brown windbreaker.

Anyone with information about Ms. Miller or her location is asked to call the Gallipolis Police Department at (740) 446-1313.

Original story – July 10 , 2013

The Gallipolis Police Department is asking for the public’s assistance in locating a missing woman who is possibly endangered.

Lisa Miller, 43, was last seen in the area of Arrow Concrete near the river.  She is 5’5″, 100 pounds and has sandy brown hair. She was wearing unknown clothing at the time she was last seen.

Please contact the Gallipolis Police Department at (740) 446-1313 or call 911 if you see her or have recent information about her whereabouts.

Three people were arrested early Sunday morning after the Gallia County Sheriff’s Office, assisted by the Gallipolis Police Department and Ohio State Highway Patrol, executed a search warrant at approximately 1:30 a.m. on a hotel room at the Budget Inn Hotel on Jackson Pike.

Amanda L. Burns, Ronda L. Jamison and Eric S. Greer were all taken into custody by the GCSO and charged with aggravated possession of drugs schedule I & II.  Heroin and other drug related items were allegedly found inside the room occupied by the suspects.

Investigation into illicit drug activity at the hotel reportedly came about after the agencies received complaints of alleged drug trafficking occurring in some of the hotel’s rented rooms.

Gallia County Sheriff Joe Browning commended the officers that assisted with multi-agency effort.

“The trio (arrestees) participated in an enterprise of corrupt activity making a business of selling heroin out of the hotel. They had separate rooms on separate floors they were storing and selling heroin out of,” said Browning. “The amount of foot traffic into and out of the hotel was one indicator of drug sales, along with recent thefts in the area that included car break-ins and burglaries we feel was being done by “addicted purchasers” to get funding to buy heroin from these offenders.”

Sheriff Browning added that the investigation into drug trafficking in the area of the hotel will continue by the agencies involved.

Further charges concerning trafficking in heroin are pending consultation with the Gallia County prosecutor’s Office.

Update: According to the Gallia County Sheriff Joe Browning, the case will be presented to the next grand jury to determine if the suspect will be charged.

The Gallia County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of a stabbing this afternoon on Ohio 7 South.

The call was received by Gallia County 911 at 1:30 p.m. The Gallia County Sheriff’s Office, along with Gallia County EMS, were dispatched to the call.  District 2 Fire Department responded to secure a landing area. One male was flown out by Health Net.  The name of the victim or condition was not released as of press time.

According to Gallia County Sheriff Joe Browning, a suspect was located on the property he owned, which was also the location of the stabbing.  At this point, the suspect is claiming self-defense and the victim was allegedly on the suspect’s property when the altercation occurred.  The case will be turned over to the Gallia County Prosecutor’s Office to determine if charges will be filed.

The case against Billy R. Wiles, 32, who was charged with the breaking and entering of the Crown City Volunteer Fire Department in March of 2012 has been dismissed for violation of speedy trial time limits statute.

Wiles was indicted on March 15, 2012 by the Gallia County Grand Jury and charged with one count breaking and entering and one count possessing criminal tools.  He was arraigned on March 19, 2012 and released on bond the same day.

Between March 21, 2012 and May 8, 2012, the defendant filed motions with the court and responded to motions filed by the State of Ohio.  However, on May 22, 2012, Wiles was admitted to prison on a breaking and entering charge out of Lawrence County with a release date of March 4, 2013.

According to court records, Wiles failed to appear for his Jury Trial scheduled for July 24, 2012 due to his incarceration and a warrant was issued for his arrest and a holder was placed on him.  Upon release from prison on March 4, 2013, Wiles was returned to the Gallia County Court of Common Pleas on March 6, 2013 for a bond hearing regarding the bench warrant.

The bond was continued and the defendant was released with a new jury trial scheduled for May 6, 2013, which was then rescheduled two more times.  Prior to the status conference, Wiles filed an instant motion to dismiss the case based on speedy trial grounds under Ohio Revised Code 2941.401.

During the motion hearing before Gallia County Common Pleas Court Judge D. Dean Evans, Wiles submitted three exhibits to the court to prove he had attempted to avail himself of the ORC code.

The exhibits were:

* A letter from the defendant dated July 7, 2012 to the Central Office of the Department of Rehabilitation and Correction requesting a fast and speedy trial pursuant to RC 2941.401.

* What appeared to be an internal form used by the prison system, given to an inmate to be used to notify the warden of any untried, pending matter which the inmate may want resolved while in prison.

* A letter from the ODRC, dated November 2, 2012, to the Gallipolis Police Department that defendant is lodged in the Pickaway Correctional Institution and that “he may have pending/open charges with your department” and advising to please advise the correction facility if the GPD wished to place a detainer on the defendant. The letter was not addressed nor sent to the prosecutor, nor the Clerk of Courts, nor did it mention the speedy trial statute. (2941.401 RC)

According to the journal entry regarding the motion, while under ORC 2941.401, a person serving a term in prison who has a pending untried indictment, information or complaint, shall be brought to trial within 180 days of being delivered to the prosecuting attorney and the appropriate court in which the matter is pending, those incarcerated with untried criminal proceedings against them are not required to let those proceedings languish.  In addition, case law is cited to uphold that a prisoner cannot be held responsible for a warden’s failure to follow mandates.  Under ORC 2941.401, a request from a prisoner shall be accompanied by a certificate of the warden or superintendent having custody of the prisoner, stating term of commitment under which the prisoner is being held, the time served and remaining to be served on the sentence, the amount of good time earned, the time of parole eligibility of the prisoner and any decision of the adult parole authority relating to the prisoner.

“Although the defendant made his requisition, no such certificate accompanied the request sent to the warden. At the hearing, defendant testified that he sent exhibit A to the warden. As such, defendant did not strictly follow the statute,” wrote Judge Evans in his decision.

Evans wrote the question revolved around when the 180 day speedy trial time under ORC 2941.401 began.

Evans ruled there was no doubt a notice was not sent to the Gallia County Prosecutor’s office and the Gallia County Clerk of Courts, but was instead sent to the Gallipolis Police Department despite Wiles’ request plainly listing the correct pending case.

Following further discussion of the speedy trial time limit codes as it related to the case and a break-down of days, Judge Evans ruled,  “Since the error of the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction in sending notification to the Gallipolis Police Department instead of the Gallia County Prosecuting Attorney and the Gallia County Clerk of Courts cannot be imputed to the defendant and as a result thereof, there is a violation of the speedy trial time statute, the court finds that this case against the defendant is dismissed.”

A Gallipolis man sentenced to serve four years in prison for trafficking of morphine was recently granted judicial release in the Gallia County Court of Common Pleas.

John Burke II, 33, was originally indicted for the trafficking and possession of three tablets of Morphine on two separate dates in the vicinity of a juvenile. He pleaded guilty to one charge of trafficking on May 26, 2011 and in consideration of his plea, the other three charges were dismissed. He was sentenced to four years in prison. Burke was also fined $5,000 and was sentenced to six months suspended license.

As part of his plea agreement, the State agreed to recommend judicial release after Burke had served two years of his sentence. That judicial release was granted this month and his sentence was suspended. He was sentenced to general supervision, ordered to register with Ohio Employment Services and obtain employment.

One man granted judicial release returns to prison after violating community control and another man is sentenced to prison on drug related charges. Several other cases were also resolved recently in the Gallia County Court of Common Pleas, resulting in community control sentences.

Cases recently resolved included:

Joshua D. Saunders

Joshua D. Saunders, 51, pleaded guilty to trafficking in drugs in 2011 and was sentenced to 12 months in prison, which was stayed until April 12, 2011 due to a medical condition.  On November 3, 2011, Saunders was granted a judicial release per his plea agreement and placed on community control.  Saunders was found by the court to have violated that community control by use of illegal drugs and alcohol and possession of alcohol. His judicial release was revoked and he was sentenced to prison for the remainder of the term of his prison sentence.

Charles Kensler

Charles Kensler, 41, pleaded guilty to illegal assembly and possession of chemicals for the manufacture of drugs and was sentenced to the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections for 12 months, six months suspended license and fined $5,000.

Micah Somerville

Micah R. Somerville, 28, Gallipolis, previously pleaded guilty to forgery of a signature of another person for a prescription of Flonase in 2006 and was sentenced to community control.  Somerville was found to have violated that community control by failing to provide proof of registration with OES, failure to pay supervisory fees, failure to report to community control officer, failure to successfully complete Spectrum Outreach program and failure to perform community service.  Somerville was sentenced to the Gallia County Work Release Center for 30 days for forgery.

Sarita Sheets

Sarita Sheets, 25, Gallipolis, pleaded guilty to possession of an Opana tablet and was sentenced to 24 months community control, ordered to submit to a Spectrum evaluation and register with OES.

Timothy Donohue

Timothy P. Donohue, 20, Pt. Pleasant, W.Va., pleaded guilty to possession of a partial Opana tablet, a misdemeanor of the first degree, and was ordered to pay a $1,000 fine.

Cindy Queen

Cindy Queen, Bloomingburg, Ohio, pleaded guilty to nonsupport of dependents and was sentenced to 24 months community control, community service, ordered to obtain her GED, ordered to register with OES and ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $6,790 to the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services.

Carrie Blevins

Carrie A. Blevins, 29, Pt. Pleasant, W.Va, pleaded guilty to possession of a .4 gram Oxycodone tablet and was sentenced to 24 months community control, community service, ordered to submit to a Spectrum Outreach Services evaluation, ordered to register with Ohio Employment Services and six months suspended license.

Robert Reed

Robert A. Reed, 33, Pt. Pleasant, W.Va., pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of attempted fleeing and eluding, sentenced to 90 days up to two years community control, community service and ordered to register with Ohio Employment Services.

Paul Chafin

The case against Paul William Chafin, 28, charged with receiving stolen property was dismissed because Chafin had paid full restitution.

A petition to vacate or set aside judgment of conviction or sentence filed by Shawn Burton, 43, was denied by Michael Ward, Judge by Assignment in the Gallia County Court of Common Pleas.

Burton was indicted in 2004 on 25 counts of sex offenses against two juveniles.  The first 13 counts with one juvenile as the victim were severed from the remaining counts.

In December 2004, Burton was found guilty by a Gallia County Jury of six counts gross sexual imposition, three counts rape and one count kidnapping.  He was sentenced to life in prison plus 37 years. In April 2006, Burton pleaded guilty to three additional counts of rape and was sentenced to 10 years in prison for the first two counts and five years in prison on the third count, all to run consecutively. The two 10 year sentences were ordered to run concurrently with the life plus 37 sentence and the five year sentence was ordered to run consecutively.

According to court documents, Burton argued he had told his attorney he would accept an offer made by the state for a 10 year prison sentence in exchange for a guilty plea on all charges.  However, Burton testified he had told his attorney he would take the 10 year offer, but asked the attorney if he could get him out in five years.  Burton accused the defense attorney of not communicating his acceptance to the state.

The special prosecutors on the case said in affidavits that Burton’s defense attorney did communicate his acceptance and asked them to consider a five year sentence.  The counter offer was rejected by the state and Burton refused to accept a 10 year sentence.  In addition, Burton testified that both he and his defense attorney, after reviewing discovery and his alibis, thought he had a “good shot” of winning at trial.  Instead, Burton was convicted of multiple counts and sentenced to life plus 37 years in prison.

The court found Burton did not mention the acceptance of the plea agreement during appeal. On April 4, 2007, the court of appeals affirmed Burton’s conviction and sentenced.  His appeal to the Ohio Supreme Court was refused on September 26, 2007.  Burton then filed a petition to vacate and or set aside judgment in the Gallia County Court of Common Pleas on October 4, 2005. Again, the non-communication of the plea offer acceptance was not raised and the court’s decision was not appealed.

The petition to vacate filed in February 28, 2013 lists the non-communication of the plea offer acceptance as the only issue.

The court found that defense counsel communicated the offer to his client in a timely manner and communicated the defendant’s response to the state. Burton does not accuse the defense attorney of giving bad advice and testified to accepting the offer.  The court found Burton could have raised the issue during appeal and did not do so and also failed to meet the requirements of filing the petition in 180 days. (0RC 2953.21 (A) (2) and 2953.23)  The court also found that Burton did not accept the state’s plea offer, but instead made a counter offer.

“The court finds the counsel’s statement to the state after it rejected the five year counteroffer that the defendant would not accept the 10 year prison sentence is more reasonable than the defendant’s claim that accepted the offer,” wrote Ward in his decision. “Defendant had reviewed discovery and alibis and decided he had a “good shot” of winning at trial. During the trial and during the appeal, defendant did not claim that he had accepted the offer.”

Burton’s petition for post-conviction relief was denied with costs assessed to Burton.

According to the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections, Burton will be first eligible for a parole in December of 2030 and is designated a sexually violent predator.

Gallia County and Mason County emergency crews and law enforcement personnel have recovered a body from the Ohio River, according to Gallipolis Police Chief Clint Patterson.

Authorities will release further information once a positive identification has been made and the family has been notified.  The call came in to Gallia County 911 at 5:40 p.m.  According to Chief Patterson, the body was first seen near the public use access area in Gallipolis and was later recovered down river.

Involved in the recovery were the Gallipolis Police Department, Gallipolis Volunteer Fire Department, Pt. Pleasant Volunteer Fire Department, Mason County Sheriff’s Office and Gallia County Sheriff’s Office, West Virginia State Police and Mason County EMS.  Identification of the body will be conducted by the West Virginia Office of the Chief Medical Examiner since the body was recovered from the Ohio River.

Addison Twp.-A Bidwell man was arrested by deputies with the Gallia County Sheriff’s Office Wednesday following a pursuit involving an ATV on Georges Creek Road near the intersection of Polecat Road in Addison Township.

According to the release from the GCSO, deputies encountered an ATV on the roadway driving erratically and attempted to stop the ATV when the driver fled.  Deputies pursued the ATV for over a mile and encountered Jeremy S. Belville, 35, Boot Hill Road, Bidwell, hiding in a cornfield near the ATV.

Belville was allegedly in possession of “alprazolam”, a Schedule IV drug. Belville was charged and arraigned in the Gallipolis Municipal Court with fleeing and eluding, drug abuse, criminal trespass, driving under suspension, ATV on the road, reckless operation, head lights and violating lane lines. A court pre-trial has been scheduled for August 1, 2013 at 10 :30 a.m. A felony drug charge is pending consultation with the Gallia County Prosecutor.

Belville also has open cases of paraphernalia and possession of marijuana charges currently being heard in the Gallipolis Municipal Court. One paraphernalia charge was filed on January 8, 2013 and is scheduled for a bench trial in August. Another drug paraphernalia charge and possession of marijuana charge were filed on July 9, 2013.

Correction: The accident occurred in the area of State Street and 4th Avenue.

The Gallipolis Police Department is looking for a vehicle that reportedly struck a bicyclist on Friday on Fourth Avenue.

According to the Gallia County 911 report, the incident occurred at approximately 1:30 p.m. The vehicle reportedly hit the bicyclist and then left the area.  The bicyclist reportedly suffered a fractured elbow and minor cuts and bruises.

The vehicle was possibly a green Dodge Intrepid with a female driver and male passenger. It headed out of town, traveling westbound on Ohio 588. Anyone with information is asked to contact the GPD at (740) 441-6020.

A mother has been charged with allegedly assisting her son and another man in allegedly stealing multiple items from Walmart on Eastern Avenue on Saturday.

Betty Kalinowski, 56, and Joshua Kalinowski, 28, and Tommy R. Thompson, Jr., 28, Tuppers Plains, Ohio have all been charged with prior theft offenses at the store and were ordered to stay off of the property. On Saturday, a loss prevention officer with Walmart, contacted the Gallipolis Police Department to inform them the trio were seen inside the store and has left in a silver SUV.

An officer with the GPD executed a traffic stop on the vehicle near the Arby’s exit and identified the Kalinsowskis and Thompson. An infant was also reportedly inside the vehicle.  During questioning, Joshua Kalinsowski allegedly told the officer he had stolen a Bluray Player from the store and it was produced from the rear of the vehicle.  A subsequent search of the vehicle allegedly revealed a digital trail camera concealed under the infant’s car seat and numerous items of clothing still bearing Walmart tags in a laundry basket.

The three were taken back to the store, where they were processed and released on a summons to appear in the Gallipolis Municipal Court.  Not seized, but later determined to be stolen after viewing video surveillance footage, was a bag of dog food that was visible inside the SUV during the search and a bottle of Coke, which Thompson was reportedly drinking at the time of the traffic stop.

According to the report, video footage allegedly showed Thompson selecting the trail camera, which he removed from a locking peg by force. The camera was later concealed by Joshua Kalinsowski.  Thompson was also allegedly observed selecting the bottle of Coke.  Joshua Kalinsowski was allegedly observed selecting the Blu-ray player, which was allegedly concealed by his mother, Betty Kalinsowski, inside a Walmart bag.  Joshua Kalinowski also was allegedly observed leaving the store with the bag of dogfood. Betty Kalinsowski was observed entering the women’s bathroom and later exiting. The packaging for the trail camera was found discarded inside that bathroom by a store employee. In addition, Betty Kalinowski was allegedly observed making “furtive movements” over the top of her purse after leaving the clothing area.

Joshua Kalinowski

According to Gallipolis Municipal Court records, a warrant was issued for Joshua Kalinowski’s arrest on Monday when he failed to appear for a court pretrial on the earlier theft case which was filed on June 10, 2013.  He was charged with first degree misdemeanor theft and criminal trespassing in connection with Saturday’s incident.

Betty Kalinowski

Betty Kalinowski was also charged with first degree misdemeanor theft and criminal trespassing and has an open theft case that was also filed on June 10, 2013, when she was ordered to stay off of Walmart property.

Tommy Thompson Jr.

Thompson Jr., who pleaded guilty in June to theft and was ordered to stay off of Walmart property. Information on if any charges were filed against Thompson was not available at press time.

*The following people have active warrants filed with the Gallia County Sheriff’s Office as of the publish date. If you have information on the whereabouts of those listed in the Active Warrant Report, you can contact the GCSO Tip Line at (740) 446-6555 or if the person is located in the city of Gallipolis, call the Gallipolis Police Department at (740) 441-6020.

Note: The Gallia Hometown Herald understands that sometimes citizens may not be aware an arrest warrant has been issued for them. To have your name removed from the active warrant list, turn yourself in to the nearest law enforcement agency to resolve the issue. Those without mugshots available are listed at the bottom of the page.

* (LKA) = Last Known Address

The following did not have mugshots available, but do have arrest warrants issued.

Kenneth Mannon, 55, who was granted judicial release from prison in 2010 is believed to have absconded supervision. Mannon was sentenced to prison in the Gallia County Court of Common Pleas in 2009 after pleading guilty to attempted possession of drugs.

Brennan Duty, 22, who was granted judicial release from prison in 2012 is believed to have absconded supervision. Duty was sentenced to prison in 2011 after pleading guilty to possession of drugs.

Diana L. Barnette, 52, Letart, W.Va.; failed to appear for court pretrial for driving under suspension charge.

Jeremy W. Barney, 34, Wilkesville, Ohio; failed to appear for pretrial for failure to reinstate charge.

Brandon Ray Barry, 32, Oak Hill, Ohio, failed to appear per summons in Court of Common Pleas

Angel Barker, 25, Pt. Pleasant, W.Va.; probation violation for failure to pay fines and respond to warning letters; original charge, theft

William A. Belton, 32, (lka) Dayton, violation of community control/probation in a possession of drugs felony case.

Kara L. Belville, 25, (lka) Bidwell, failed to appear for a show cause hearing on a DUS charge.

Jennifer B. Bias, 35, (lka) Gallipolis, failed to appear for court pretrial on DUS charge.

Timothy J. Bennett, 46, (lka) Bidwell, probation violation. Original case OVI. Also failed to appear for court pre-trial on OVI charge, ODNR violation and menacing charge.

Jill S. Bennett, 33, (lka) Pomeroy, failed to appear for a show cause hearing on a speeding charge.

Conrad D. Berkley II, 32, (lka) Gallipolis, failed to appear for a show cause hearing on a reckless operation charge.

Crystal D. Blair, 40, (LKA) White Oak Road, Gallipolis, failed to appear for arraignment in Gallipolis Municipal Court on wrongful entrustment of motor vehicle charge.

Shasta D. Blankenship, 33, (LKA) Africa Road, Bidwell, failed to appear for mandatory show cause hearing on DUS charge.

William R. Blazer, 54, (LKA) N. Park Drive, Pt. Pleasant, W.Va, failed to appear and show proof of valid operator’s license on driving under suspension charge.

Two pursuits in the Village of Rio Grande last week ended in the arrest of two people who could face felony charges.

Thomas Ball

The first incident occurred on Tuesday, July 23 at approximately 9:30 p.m. on Ohio 325. According to the report, an officer with the Rio Grande Police Department initiated a traffic stop on a motorcycle on Ohio 325.  The motorcycle fled the area, with the motorcycle traveling around 80 mph along Ohio 325, running the stop sign at the intersection of Ohio 325 and Ohio 588 and reportedly crossing the double yellow lines on multiple occasions.

The pursuit ended in Vinton, when the motorcycle entered a yard, followed by the patrol car.  The car reportedly slid into the motorcycle, knocking it over. The driver, identified as Thomas L. Ball, 32, Ohio 325, Vinton, surrendered without further incident.

Ball was charged in the Gallipolis Municipal Court with fleeing and eluding, 12 point suspension, expired plates and fictitious plates. The case is set for pre-trial on August 1, 2013 at 10:15 a.m.

An additional felony charge of possession is pending consultation with the Gallia County Prosecutor’s Office and lab test results on a needle seized from Ball.

A second pursuit also ended in an arrest on Friday that began at approximately 8 p.m. on Pine Street in Rio Grande.

Samuel Reece

According to the report, an officer with the RGPD was sitting at the intersection of Ohio 325 and Ohio 588 when he observed a vehicle go through the intersection with a loud exhaust leak.  The officer followed the vehicle southbound on Ohio 325, then onto Cherry Ridge Road, then Pine Street where the officer attempted to initiate a traffic stop.

The vehicle sped away at a high rate of speed and the officer pursued. The pursuit traveled onto Richards Avenue, where the vehicle reportedly ran the stop sign at Richards Avenue and Ohio 325 into the path of an oncoming vehicle traveling along Ohio 325. The vehicle also allegedly struck another vehicle on the rear bumper as it was pulling out before continuing to flee southbound on Ohio 325 in the left lane, reaching speeds in excess of 80 mph.

As the officer approached the vehicle, he saw the driver pointing to the rear of the vehicle where the officer observed a juvenile looking at him from the rear seat, as well as a female in the passenger seat. The pursuit continued along Ohio 325 at a high rate of speed onto Centerpoint Road, reaching speeds of 65 mph on the wrong side of the road.  The officer used the patrol car’s PA system to order the driver to stop and decrease his speed, as there was a juvenile in the vehicle.  After being repeatedly asked to reduce the speed, the driver reportedly slowed down to approximately 35 mph and turned onto Cherry Ridge Road, but kept driving.

As the pursuit approached the sawmill on Cherry Ridge Road, a trooper with the Ohio State Highway Patrol approached and the vehicle came to a stop.  The driver, Samuel Reece, 27, Pine Street, Rio Grande, was taken into custody without incident.  The female passenger reportedly told the officer that she had pleaded with Reece to stop the vehicle and let her and her 6-year-old son out, but he refused.

Reece reportedly had three active warrants for his arrest through the Gallia County Juvenile Court for non-payment of child support and was placed under arrest.

Reece faces charges of unlawful restraint, endangering children and fleeing and eluding. Further charges are pending consultation with the Gallia County Prosecutor’s Office.

The Gallia County Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s assistance in identifying a man who allegedly broke into Riverfront Honda and stole a 2002 Honda XR 400 Dirt Bike.  The GCSO was informed of the theft on July 23, 2013.  Anyone with information is asked to contact the GCSO TIP line at (740) 446-6555.

The surveillance video picture is the only picture of the suspect available at this time.

Nicholas J. Pelfrey, 36, pleaded guilty in 2009 to tampering with evidence and was sentenced to community control.

Nicholas Pelfrey

On Tuesday, Pelfrey pleaded guilty to violating that community control by failing to pay court costs, failing to pay supervisory fees, failing to report to his community control officer as ordered, failure to report contact with law enforcement on three separate occasions, having a violation of the law, failure to perform community service and failure to successfully complete the Spectrum program.

Pelfrey’s community control was revoked and he was sentenced to the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections for 30 months.

Other cases recently resolved were:

Sabra Clark

Sabra Clark, 23, Tick Ridge Road, Vinton, pleaded guilty to aggravated assault and was sentenced to 60 months community control, community service and ordered to register with Ohio Employment Services. Clark was originally charged with felonious assault for stabbing William Hatten with a butcher knife on November 19, 2012.

Travis Efaw

Travis Efaw, 25, Addison Pike, Gallipolis, pleaded guilty to escape.  Efaw was charged with escape after leaving the Gallia County Work Release Center without permission while serving a sentence for a misdemeanor assault charge.  Efaw was sentenced to 24 months community control, community service, ordered to register with Ohio Employment Services and ordered to obtain his G.E.D.

Michelle Watkins

Michelle Watkins, Pine Street, Thurman, 30, pleaded guilty to two counts receiving stolen debit cards and was sentenced to 24 months community control, community service and ordered to register with Ohio Employment Services.

Jeanette Thompson

Jeanette Thompson, 37, pleaded guilty to possession of drugs and was sentenced to 24 months community control, community service, six months suspended license, ordered to register with Ohio Employment Services and ordered to submit to a Spectrum Outreach evaluation.

Betty Kalinowski

A Cheshire resident  accused of shoplifting at Walmart on two separate occasions filed a report with the Gallia County Sheriff’s Office stating her residence had been burglarized while in jail.

Betty Kalinowski, 56, Ohio 554, Cheshire, was charged with allegedly shoplifting over $200 worth of merchandise from Walmart on June 9, 2013. Kalinowski’s son, Joshua Kalinowski, 28 and a third person, Erica Peck, 26, were also charged.

The case was filed in the Gallipolis Municipal Court and they were ordered following arraignment not to be on Walmart property pending trial.

On July 20, 2013, a loss prevention officer with Walmart reportedly spotted both Kalinowskis inside the store allegedly shoplifting numerous items, along with a third person, 28 year old Tommy R. Thompson Jr., who had also been ordered to stay off Walmart property.

They were stopped by an officer with the Gallipolis Police Department as they were leaving the parking lot and allegedly admitted to taking items from the store.  All three were charged in the Gallipolis Municipal Court with theft and criminal trespass.

On July 23, 2013, the court revoked Betty Kalinowski’s original bond and instituted a $20,000, 10 percent bond or electronic monitored house arrest at the defendant’s cost for being arrested on Walmart property.

On August 1, 2013, a payment of $260 for the house arrest fee was filed with the court and Kalinowski was released from jail.

On August 2, 2013, Kalinowski filed a report with the GCSO stating that sometime between the time she was incarcerated and was released, her residence was burglarized  and an outbuilding was broken into and over $1,500 worth of belongings were stolen. How entry was gained inside the residence could not be determined.

A bench trial has been scheduled for Kalinowski on August 28, 2013 on the charges filed against her the Gallipolis Municipal Court.

A warrant was issued on July 24, 2013 for Joshua Kalinowski for failing to appear at hearings on both cases. A warrant was also issued for Erica Peck for failing to appear to a hearing.

Thompson pleaded no contest and was sentenced to jail.

Joshua Kalinowski

Kurtiss Groves

A second man was indicted by the Gallia County Grand Jury and charged with breaking and entering into Auto Buyers on Eastern Avenue on June 16, 2013 and stealing a 2003 Pontiac Grand Am.

Kurtiss L. Groves, 36, Ohio 141, Gallipolis was charged with theft of a motor vehicle and breaking and entering and released on his own recognizance under a $15,000 bond and an additional $1,500, 10 percent bond, pending trial.

Groves is accused of breaking into the Eastern Avenue car dealership with Phillip S. Doss, 28, who faces the same charges.

Updated Story – August 2, 2013

Phillip Doss

The Gallia County Grand Jury has handed down a two count indictment against Phillip S. Doss, 28, for allegedly breaking and entering into Auto Buyers on Eastern Avenue on June 16, 2013 and stealing a 2003 Pontiac Grand Am.

According to the complaint filed with the Gallipolis Municipal Court, on the date in question, Doss allegedly entered Auto Buyers through the front glass door, where he located several keys and car titles before leaving the lot with the vehicle.

Doss was released on his own recognizance under a $15,000 bond and an additional $1,500, 10 percent bond pending trial.

Original story, July 9, 2013

The case against a man charged with allegedly breaking into an Eastern Avenue dealership and stealing a vehicle has been bound over to the Gallia County Grand Jury.

According to the complaint filed with the Gallipolis Municipal Court, Phillip S.Doss, 28, allegedly admitted to authorities during questioning that on June 16, he and another person broke into Auto Buyers on Eastern Avenue through the front glass door, where they located several keys and car titles, before leaving the building and allegedly stealing 2003 Pontiac Grand Am from the lot.

Phillip S. Doss, 28, was charged in the Gallipolis Municipal Court with felony theft and breaking and entering. Doss waived his right to a preliminary hearing and the case was bound over to the Gallia County Court of Common Pleas.

The case will be reviewed by the Gallia County Grand Jury.

Amanda Rodgers

Amanda Rodgers, 34, Kemper Hollow Road, Gallipolis was arraigned in the Gallia County Court of Common Pleas where she pleaded not guilty to illegal manufacture of methamphetamine and illegal possession of chemicals for the manufacture of drugs.

Rodgers was one of three arrested in connection with an alleged meth lab discovered at a Kemper Hollow Road residence on April 16, 2013.

According to the original complaint filed in the Gallipolis Municipal Court, the Gallia County Sheriff’s Office received information via the Nplex precursor logging system of purchases of pseudoephedrine by 34-year-old Brad Johnson. They also learned Johnson and Rodgers were staying at the home of Joseph Shepherd, 43, Kemper Hollow Road, who was on probation through the Gallipolis Municipal Court.

The GCSO, with assistance from the Gallipolis Municipal Court probation department, conducted a probation search of Shepherd’s residence. Allegedly located during the search were: a one pot “shake and bake” methamphetamine cook reaction vessel, and two one pot reaction vessels that were hydrogen chloride generations. Numerous items considered to be precursor items to the manufacture of methamphetamine were also allegedly discovered inside the residence.

Johnson, Rodgers and Shepherd were all charged and their cases were bound over to the Gallia County Court of Common Pleas.  The Gallia County Grand Jury handed down indictments against all three suspects.  Johnson and Shepherd were arraigned on the charges in May.  A warrant was issued for Rodgers’ arrest.

On July 31, 2013, Rodgers was arrested and arraigned in the Gallia County Court of Common Pleas on August 1, 2013. She was released on her own recognizance under a $35,000 bond and an additional $1,500, 10 percent bond pending trial.

Updated story – May 24, 2013

Two of three arrested in April in connection with a meth lab at a residence on Kemper Hollow Road have been arraigned on felony charges in the Gallia County Court of Common Pleas. An arrest warrant has been issue for the third.

Joseph Shepherd

Joseph Shepherd, 43, was indicted by the Gallia County Grand Jury on charges of illegal manufacture of methamphetamine and illegal assembly or possession of chemicals in the manufacture of drugs. He was released on his own recognizance under a $35,000 bond and an additional $1,500, 10 percent bond.

Brad Johnson

Brad Johnson, 34, was also indicted by the Gallia County Grand Jury on charges of illegal manufacture of methamphetamine and illegal assembly or possession of chemicals in the manufacture of drugs. He was released on his own recognizance under a $35,000 bond and an additional $1,500, 10 percent bond.

Amanda Rodgers

A warrant to arrest on indictment has been issued for 34-year-old Amanda L. Rodgers.

The Kemper Hollow meth lab was one of three labs investigated in the county in less than 24 hours in April.

According to GCSO Meth Lab technician Sgt. Chris Gill, the lab on Kemper Hollow Road was discovered after the GCSO received a tip through the National Precursor Log Exchange (NPLEx), the electronic logging system used by pharmacies and law enforcement to track sales of over-the-counter (OTC) medicines commonly used in the manufacture of methamphetamine.

Because the homeowner was on probation through the Gallipolis Municipal Court, a GMC probation officer assisted in the investigation, which allowed the search of the residence. Investigators reportedly located five inactive one-pot meth labs inside the residence. No children were reportedly present.  Shepherd, Johnson and Rodgers were arrested at the scene.

BIDWELL – A Kerr Road homeowner is offering a $1,000 reward to anyone with information leading to the arrest and conviction of a man who burglarized his home last Wednesday.

According to the report filed with the Gallia County Sheriff’s Office, the victim arrived at his residence a little after 10 a.m. on July 31, 2013 and discovered a white male descending the stairs inside the home. The man immediately fled through the front door of the home.

The victim told authorities the suspect was wearing jeans and a black ball cap, but was unsure about the shirt.

The suspect reportedly made entry into the home by prying open a kitchen window. Jewelry was reported missing from the home.

Anyone with information on the burglary can contact the Gallia County Sheriff’s Office at (740) 446-6555. The homeowner has also listed (740) 612-2915 on the reward posting.

News Release

The Gallia County Sheriff’s Office still continues to battle the problem of daytime burglaries as home owners are seldom present when the thefts occur.  A cluster of unsolved burglaries surrounding Springfield and Addison Townships have prompted Sheriff’s Deputies to ask residents to pay particular attention to their surroundings.  Most of the reported burglaries have occurred during daylight hours.  If you see or hear anything unusual contact law enforcement immediately.

Gallia County Sheriff’s Chief Deputy, Dick Grau said, “There were five break-ins with stolen items including laptops, cash, firearms and other valuables within a two week time period.”  At least two instances of attempted break-ins are also suspected and being looked at by deputies.

While the Sheriff’s Office has received suspect information on two of the reported burglaries no arrests have yet been made.  There are pending charges on two separate burglary cases pending Gallia County Grand Jury review.

The Sheriff’s Office realizes the trauma and anguish that is caused by these events and has some pointers to try to minimize the likelihood of a burglary:

• Keep garage doors closed and locked when not in use, even during the day or if you are working in your backyard.

• Encourage neighbors to remain alert and immediately report suspicious activity by contacting sheriff’s dispatchers at 740-446-1221 or 911.

• Keep your valuables in an unlikely place.  The bedroom is often the first place a burglar will look.

• Document valuables by recording serial and model numbers.  Take pictures of unique items such as jewelry and artwork.

• Use quality, heavy duty, deadbolt locks with at least a 1-inch throw bolt; align with a heavy duty strike plate and secured with 3-inch screws.

• Secure sliding glass doors.

• Create the illusion that you are home by using timers on lights.  Have someone collect your mail and newspapers if you are not home.  If you are gone for an extended period you may consider having the service stopped.

• Some home owners have utilized video surveillance such as hunting cams and pre-boxed systems that record motion.  These items can be found at local stores which afford the ability to capture cars license plates and suspect photos.

• Whether parked inside the garage or in the driveway, keep vehicles locked.  Do not leave valuable items inside your vehicles.

Most burglars will “check” a house to see if anyone is home.  If the home owner answers they tell them they are lost and/or looking for directions.  If the home owner does not answer they will break in through a door or window if no other avenue is available.  Items most commonly stolen include: purses/wallets, GPS units, weapons, and laptop computers.

The Sheriff says that his office will diligently work burglary cases and will coordinate with Ohio BCI to bring burglars to justice.

If you have any information regarding these incidents or you believe you know who the suspect(s) is, please contact the Sheriff’s Tip Line at 740-446-6555.