Hillsboro man charged in burglary case; 14 other indictments handed down by Highland County grand jury
A Hillsboro man indicted on three counts, including second-degree felony burglary, was one of 15 individuals charged by a Highland County grand jury in their first session of the 2025 calendar year Tuesday, Jan. 14.
Bradley W. Oates, 42, was charged with burglary, a second-degree felony; trespass in a habitation when a person is present or likely to be present, a fourth-degree felony; and assault, a first-degree misdemeanor.
The indictment alleges that on or about Nov. 8, Oates “did by force, stealth or deception knowingly trespass in an occupied structure when a person, other than an accomplice of the offender, was present, with purpose to commit therein a criminal offense.” He is also accused of “knowingly trespassing in a permanent or temporary habitation of any person when any person other than an accomplice … [was] present or likely to be present.” Oates also allegedly knowingly caused or attempted to cause physical harm to a victim on the same date.
In other indictments:
• Erin A. Cluxton, 39, of Hillsboro was charged with illegal conveyance of weapons or prohibited items onto the grounds of a detention facility or institution, a third-degree felony; and aggravated possession of methamphetamine, a fifth-degree felony.
The indictment alleges that on or about May 17, 2024, Cluxton “did knowingly convey, to attempt to convey … a drug of abuse” onto the grounds of a detention facility or institution. She is also accused of “knowingly obtaining, possessing or using” meth on that date.
• Hunter Hacker, 24, of Hillsboro was charged with aggravated vehicular assault, a third-degree felony; and operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol, a drug of abuse or a combination of them, a first-degree misdemeanor.
It is alleged that on or about Feb. 25, 2023, Hacker “caused serious physical harm” to a victim “while operating or participating in the operation of a motor vehicle.” On the same date, Hacker is accused of “knowingly operating any vehicle … while under the influence of alcohol, a drug of abuse, or alcohol and a drug of abuse, or a combination of them.”
• Rodney McCarty, 40, of Bloomingburg was charged with having weapons under disability, a third-degree felony; and a forfeiture specification.
McCarty is accused of “knowingly acquiring, having, carrying or using a firearm” in November while being under indictment for an unrelated felony drug case in Fayette County Common Pleas Court. The weapon allegedly in McCarty’s possession — a 9mm pistol — is subject to forfeiture.
• Andrew J. Placke Jr., 38, of Dillsboro, Ind., was charged with failure to comply with the order or signal of a police officer, a third-degree felony.
Placke is accused of “operating a motor vehicle … so as willfully to elude or flee a police officer after receiving a visible or audible signal from a police officer to bring the person’s motor vehicle to a stop, and the operation of the motor vehicle caused a substantial risk of serious physical harm to persons or property” in December.
• Adam R. Robinson, 38, of Washington Court House was charged with aggravated possession of methamphetamine, a third-degree felony. It is alleged that in August, Robinson “knowingly obtained, possessed or used” meth in an amount equal to or exceeding bulk amount but less than five times bulk amount.”
• Kenneth L. Skaggs III, 42, of Bainbridge, was charged with failure to comply with the order or signal of a police officer, a third-degree felony.
It is alleged that on or about Nov. 23, 2023, Skaggs “operated a motor vehicle … so as willfully to elude or flee a police officer after receiving a visible or audible signal from a police officer to bring the person’s motor vehicle to a stop, and the operation of the motor vehicle caused a substantial risk of serious physical harm to persons or property.”
• Loretta M. Bukowski, 67, of Dayton was charged with two fourth-degree felony counts of arson.
Both charges stem from June 2024, when it is allege Bukowski “did, by means of fire or explosion, knowingly cause, or create a substantial risk of, physical harm to” a victim’s “property with purpose to defraud.” It is further alleged that Bukowski did so “without [the victim’s] consent and the value of the said property or amount of physical harm was equal to or exceeding $1,000.”
• Jean Estrada, 37, of Greenfield was charged with strangulation, a fourth-degree felony; and domestic violence, a first-degree misdemeanor.
It is alleged that in November, Estrada “knowingly caused or attempted to cause physical harm” to a victim and “knowingly caused or created a substantial risk of physical harm” to said victim “by means of strangulation or suffocation.”
• Jordan L. Hill, 41, of Bellefontaine was charged with strangulation, a fourth-degree felony; and domestic violence, a first-degree misdemeanor.
The indictment alleges that in December, Hill “knowingly caused or attempted to cause physical harm” to a victim and “knowingly caused or created a substantial risk of physical harm” to said victim “by means of strangulation or suffocation.”
• Nikki N. Brant, 26, of Dayton was charged with grand theft of a motor vehicle, a fourth-degree felony.
It is alleged that in June 2024, Brant “did knowingly obtain and exert control over” a vehicle without its owner’s consent.
• Gerald J. Conway, 42, of Hillsboro was charged with three counts of assault and one count of strangulation, all fifth-degree felonies.
The assault charges stem from November and involve three different alleged victims. It is alleged that all three assaults “occurred in or on the grounds of a local correctional facility;” that all three victim[s were] an employee of the facility or the probation department or [were] on the premises for business purposes as a visitor;” and that Conway “was in the custody of the facility” at the time.
It is further alleged that Conway “did knowingly cause or create a substantial risk of physical harm” to one of the victims “by means of strangulation or suffocation.”
• Dakota Haas, 22, of Williamsburg was charged with improperly handling firearms in a motor vehicle, a fifth-degree felony; and a forfeiture specification.
It is alleged that on or about Nov. 24, Haas “did knowingly transport or have a loaded handgun in a motor vehicle,” with the said weapon — a 9mm pistol — being subject to forfeiture.
• Ashton Binegar, 24, of Greenfield was charged with aggravated possession of methamphetamine, a fifth-degree felony.
• Kirk S. Birchum, 43, of Greenfield was charged with aggravated possession of methamphetamine, a fifth-degree felony.
An indictment is merely a charge and is not evidence of guilt.
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