32 indictments filed in Highland County grand jury's September session
A Highland County grand jury handed down 32 indictments, including four unrelated cases involved second-degree felony assault charges, in their Tuesday, Sept. 12 session.
In the first of those four cases, Christina Cassady, 34, of Hillsboro was charged with two counts of aggravated vehicular assault, both second-degree felonies; operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol, a drug of abuse or a combination of them, a first-degree misdemeanor; and grand theft of a motor vehicle, a fourth-degree felony.
The indictment alleges that on or about March 25, Cassady “did cause serious physical harm” to two separate victims while “operating or participating in the operation of” a truck. On that date, it is alleged that she “did knowingly operate any vehicle … while under the influence of alcohol, a drug of abuse, or alcohol and a drug of abuse, or a combination of them.”
Cassady is also accused of “knowingly obtaining or exerting control over” the truck in this case without the owner’s consent.
Additionally, David L. Wilson, 38, of Hillsboro was charged with one count each of felonious assault and endangering children, both second-degree felonies.
The indictment alleges that Wilson “did knowingly cause serious physical harm” and “abuse resulting in serious physical harm” to a victim in April 30, 2021.
In a third case, Terry W. Barnes, 58, of Hillsboro was charged with felonious assault, a second-degree felony; and tampering with evidence, a third-degree felony.
According to the indictment, it is alleged that on or about Aug. 4, Barnes “did knowingly cause or attempt to cause physical harm” to a victim using a knife. On the same date, it is alleged that Barnes “did alter or destroy, conceal or remove a record or document or thing with the purpose to impair its value or availability as evidence in” an official proceeding or investigation.
The final case charges Austin C. Gilroy, 31, of Greenfield with felonious assault, a second-degree felony. He is accused of “knowingly causing serious physical harm” to a victim on or about June 8.
In other indictments:
• Robin S. Robinson, 51, of Loveland was charged with illegal conveyance of drugs of abuse onto the grounds of a specified governmental facility, a third-degree felony; and aggravated possession of methamphetamine, a fifth-degree felony.
The indictment alleges that on or about April 27, Robinson “did knowingly convey, or attempt to convey” meth onto the grounds of the Highland County Sheriff’s Office. The possession charge stems from the same date.
• Robert G. Jackson, 58, of the Southern Ohio Correctional Institution in Lancaster, was charged with retaliation, a third-degree felony; and violating a protection order or consent agreement, a first-degree misdemeanor.
It is alleged that “on or about Aug. 3 and in Fairfield County and as a continuing course of criminal conduct in Highland County,” Jackson “did purposely and by force or, by unlawful threat … retaliate against the victim of a crime because the victim filed or prosecuted criminal charges.” It is also alleged that he “did recklessly violate a term of a protection order or consent agreement.”
• Shane E. Cottrill, 44, of Chillicothe was charged with aggravated possession of methamphetamine, a third-degree felony. The indictment alleges that on or about May 9, Cottrill “did knowingly obtain, possess or use” meth “in an amount equal to or exceeding bulk amount but less than five times bulk amount.”
• Shannon R. James, 52, of Leesburg was charged with aggravated possession of methamphetamine, a third-degree felony. It is alleged that on or about May 11, James “did knowingly obtain, possess or use” meth “in an amount equal to or exceeding bulk amount but less than five times bulk amount.”
• Alan L. Reynoso, 62, of Springfield was charged with grand theft of a motor vehicle, a fourth-degree felony. He is accused of “knowingly obtaining or exerting control over” a motorcycle without the owner’s consent, on or about May 20.
• Nichlas D. Tillard, 34, of Hillsboro was charged with assault on a peace officer, a fourth-degree felony. It is alleged that on or about May 3, Tillard “did knowingly cause or attempt to cause physical harm” to an area peace officer.
• Allen W. Shoemaker, 64, of London was charged with two counts of violating a protection order or consent agreement, both fifth-degree felonies. It is alleged that on or about July 5 and July 7, in Madison County and as a continuing course of criminal conduct in Highland County, Shoemaker “did recklessly violate a protection order or consent agreement.”
• Ricky A. Jones Jr., 28, of Greenfield was charged with aggravated possession of methamphetamine, a fifth-degree felony; and endangering children, a first-degree misdemeanor. On or about May 26, it is alleged that Jones did knowingly obtain, possess or use meth, and on the same date, Jones is accused of “creating a substantial risk to the health or safety” of a child victim.
• Audrey V. Edwards, 46, of Greenfield was charged with aggravated possession of methamphetamine, a fifth-degree felony.
• Charles D. Howland, 65, of Chillicothe was charged with aggravated possession of a fentanyl-related compound, a fifth-degree felony.
• Jason L. Huffer, 38, of Greenfield was charged with possession of heroin, a fifth-degree felony.
• Stephen C. Weil, 37, of Hillsboro with aggravated possession of methamphetamine, a fifth-degree felony.
• Deandrea Wilkerson, 49, of Greenfield was charged with aggravated possession of methamphetamine, a fifth-degree felony.
In addition to the above-listed indictments, there were 15 sealed indictments from Highland County Task Force cases, according to Highland County Prosecutor Anneka Collins.
An indictment is merely a charge and is not evidence of guilt.