Allensburg standoff suspect indicted on 26 counts; Hillsboro woman charged with murder, Greenfield man accused of rape

An Allensburg man accused of a standoff with police was indicted on 26 counts, a Hillsboro woman was charged with murder and a Greenfield man is facing two first-degree felony rape charges following the Tuesday, July 11 Highland County grand jury session.

Christopher Todd Colvin, 58, was indicted on 26 counts, including: intimidation, a third-degree felony; retaliation, a third-degree felony; 10 counts of pandering sexually oriented matter involving a minor, a fourth-degree felony; four counts of assault on a peace officer, a fourth-degree felony; and 10 counts of illegal use of a minor in nudity-oriented material, a fifth-degree felony.

As previously reported, Colvin was arrested after an hourslong standoff with local law enforcement May 10.

The Highland County Sheriff’s Office reported that on May 10 at approximately 11:41 a.m., the Highland County Sheriff’s Office was executing a search warrant in Dodson Township, Allensburg. The occupant of the home would not answer the door.

At approximately 12:36 p.m., entry was attempted into the home. Officers were confronted by a male subject — Colvin, allegedly — with a gun. The male subject fired a round out of the east side of the house toward deputies, who were in the process of taking cover.

The Highland County Sheriff’s Special Response Team (SRT) was called to the scene, along with assistance requested from the Lynchburg Police Department, the Ohio State Highway Patrol, Emergency Management Agency and local fire departments. The Ohio Department of Transportation and the Highland County Engineer’s Office assisted in closing access to Route 50. The Clermont County Sheriff’s Office was called in for assistance with its SRT team and equipment.

The male subject, on several occasions, allegedly would exit the back door and aim a weapon at deputies, who were under cover by armored vehicles.

Several non-lethal weapons were fired toward the subject. The subject allegedly aimed his weapon at a deputy, and a shot was fired. The subject then ran back inside and again barricaded himself.

Entry was made into the home, and the subject was found hiding in the attic. Several non-lethal rounds were fired again from the armored vehicle into the residence.

After several hours of the negotiating team attempting to get the male from the house, entry was made into the house by the Highland County Sheriff’s Special Response Team, and the male was taken into custody.

According to an affidavit filed by Detective Sergeant Vincent Antinore of the Highland County Sheriff’s Office, the search warrant was signed May 10 in connection with an active investigation into a micro SD card that may involve Colvin. The HCSO began investigating after the card, which allegedly contains hundreds of images of child pornography, was found dropped on the floor at an area business.

The indictment filed Tuesday alleges that on or about May 10, Colvin “did knowingly cause or attempt to cause physical harm” to four different peace officers; that he “did knowingly and by force or unlawful threat of harm … attempt to influence or intimidate or hinder” the victims “in the discharge of [their] duties as a public servant;” and that he “retaliated” against all four victims because the officers “discharged [their] duties as a public servant.”

The indictment further alleges that on or about April 15, Colvin “did, with knowledge of the character of the material or performance involved, buy, procure, possess or control obscene material that has a minor as one of its participants,” as outlined in 10 fourth-degree felony counts. For the 10 fifth-degree felony counts, it is alleged that on or about April 15, Colvin “did recklessly possess or view material or a performance that shows a minor who is not the defendant’s child or ward in a state of nudity” classified as “a lewd exhibit.”

• Also on Monday, a Hillsboro woman was charged in connection with the shooting death of a local man in March.

Melissa R. Norris, 50, of Hillsboro was indicted on charges of murder, an unclassified felony, with a specification that the offender displayed, brandished, indicated possession of or used a firearm; felonious assault, a second-degree felony; and tampering with evidence, a third-degree felony.

As previously reported, on March 11 at 2:39 p.m., the Hillsboro Police Department responded to 801 Treewood Drive (North West St.), Hillsboro, in reference to a 911 call.

Upon officers' arrival, it was determined that a 53-year-old man suffered a fatal gunshot wound. The Hillsboro Police Department requested assistance from the Ohio Attorney General’s Office, BCI&I for crime scene processing. The Highland County Prosecuting Attorney provided direct assistance during the preliminary investigation.

The indictment alleges that on or about March 11, Norris “did purposely cause the death of” the victim. In addition to the shooting, the felonious assault charge alleges that Norris “did knowingly cause or attempt to cause physical harm” to the victim by means of a baseball bat.

On the same date, it is alleged that Norris “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 another unrelated indictment, Gary Lee Pettiford, 71, of Greenfield was charged with two counts of rape, both first-degree felonies.

Pettiford is accused of engaging in sexual conduct with a minor victim in May.

In other indictments:

• Austin Cole Gilroy, 31, of Greenfield was charged with two counts of domestic violence, a third-degree felony. Gilroy is accused of “knowingly causing or attempting to cause physical harm” to two separate victims in May.

• Kelsey Burns, 22, of Hillsboro 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 a fentanyl-related compound, a fifth-degree felony.

It is alleged that on or about Dec. 8, 2022, Burns “did knowingly convey, or attempt to convey,” a fentanyl-related compound onto the grounds of the Highland County Sheriff’s Office.

• Zachary E. Harcourt, 28, of Hillsboro was charged with receiving stolen property, a fourth-degree felony. It is alleged that on or about May 15, Harcourt “did receive, retain or dispose of” a motor vehicle while “knowing or having reasonable cause to believe said property had been obtained through the commission of a theft offense.”

• Ryan M. Lacalameto, 27, of Cincinnati was charged with receiving stolen property, a fourth-degree felony. It is alleged that on or about June 4, Lacalameto “did receive, retain or dispose of” a truck while “knowing or having reasonable cause to believe said property had been obtained through the commission of a theft offense.”

• Brandy L. Moore, 40, of Hillsboro was charged with failure to appear, a fourth-degree felony, in connection with a receiving stolen property case in Highland County Common Pleas Court.

• Daniel L. Butcher, 39, of Greenfield was charged with possession of drugs, a fifth-degree felony.

• Samuel Holaday, 27, of Hillsboro was charged with aggravated possession of methamphetamine, a fifth-degree felony.
 
• Bentley Chad Penwell, 40, of Hillsboro was charged with aggravated possession of methamphetamine, a fifth-degree felony.

• Joshua Queen, 32, of South Salem was charged with aggravated possession of methamphetamine, a fifth-degree felony.

In addition to the aforementioned indictments, there were two sealed cases this month, according to Highland County Prosecutor Anneka Collins.

An indictment is merely a charge and is not evidence of guilt.