Williamsburg man accused of burglary from elderly victim among Highland County grand jury's June indictments
A Williamsburg man accused of burglary was among the 13 individuals indicted by a Highland County grand jury in their Tuesday, June 3 session.
John Richards, 44, was charged with burglary, a second-degree felony, and theft from a person in a protected class, a fourth-degree felony.
According to the indictment, both charges stem from Dec. 24, 2024, where it is alleged Richards “did by force, stealth or deception trespass” in the victim’s property. Richards is accused of “knowingly obtaining or exerting control over … jewelry, various coins and miscellaneous property” valued between $1,000 and $7,500 from the elderly victim without the victim’s consent.
In other indictments:
• Kendra Holbert, 23, of Cincinnati was charged with one count each of tampering with evidence, a third-degree felony, and aggravated possession of methamphetamine, a fifth-degree felony.
It is alleged that on or about March 15, Holbert “knowingly obtained, possessed or used” meth. On the same day, she is accused of “altering, destroying, concealing or removing any record, document or thing, with purpose to impair its value or availability as evidence.”
• James Knauff, 40, of Wilmington was charged in two separate indictments, including one charging him with failure to comply with the order or signal of a police officer, a third-degree felony, and one charging him with aggravated possession of methamphetamine, a fifth-degree felony.
The failure to comply charge alleges that on or about April 13, in both Highland and Fayette counties, Knauff “did operate 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 [his] motor vehicle to a stop.” It is also alleged that “the operation of the motor vehicle caused a substantial risk of serious physical harm to persons or property.”
The meth charge stems from an alleged incident April 14.
• Kyle Mathews, 20, of Greenfield was charged with improperly handling firearms in a motor vehicle, a fourth-degree felony; and a forfeiture specification.
It is alleged that on or about April 29, Mathews, while “not being a qualified adult, knowingly transported or had a loaded firearm” in a motor vehicle. The 9mm handgun allegedly in his possession is subject to forfeiture.
• David Bain, 56, of Owensville was charged with one count of vandalism, a fifth-degree felony, and one count of theft, a first-degree misdemeanor.
• Thomas Lee Hatfield, 43, of Leesburg was charged with possession of a fentanyl-related compound, a fifth-degree felony.
• Timothy Seitz, 35, of Greenfield was charged with possession of a fentanyl-related compound, a fifth-degree felony.
In addition to those already mentioned, the following individuals were each charged with a fifth-degree felony count of aggravated possession of methamphetamine:
• Jody Blankenship, 40, of New Vienna;
• Chad Burgess, 45, of Hillsboro;
• Jacob Cooper, 30, of Leesburg;
• Melinda Hayslip, 52, of Washington Court House;
• Joseph Howland, 39, of Hillsboro; and
• Derrick Vaughan, 43, of Hillsboro.
An indictment is merely a charge and is not evidence of guilt.
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