MOUNT VERNON – According to Knox County Prosecutor John Thatcher, the Grand Jury returned seven indictments, on Monday. Arraignments in the cases will be held before Judge Otho Eyster in the Knox County Court of Common Pleas, on October 25 at 9 a.m.
As the result of a standoff with law enforcement Anthony R. Ferrell, 31, Mount Vernon, faces charges of escape, inducing panic, possession of cocaine, tampering with evidence and two firearms offenses. Thatcher said on September 27 at about 7:30 p.m., a Sheriff’s Deputy stopped the motor vehicle Ferrell was driving on U.S. Route 36 near Bangs. After Ferrell got out of the car he consented to the deputy’s request to conduct a pat down search. Before the deputy started the search, Ferrell allegedly pulled a 9 mm handgun from his waistband, chambered a round and started running toward a nearby field. Detective David Light, Knox County Sheriff’s Office, had just arrived at the scene to provide backup for the deputy. Light chased Ferrell into the field until Ferrell stopped running and threatened to commit suicide, pointing the barrel of the gun at his chest. Ferrell held officers at bay with threats of suicide for the next two hours. While officers negotiated with Ferrell, U.S. Route 36 was shut down for public safety, and units responded from the Knox and Licking County Sheriff’s Offices and the State Patrol to assist and provide traffic control. Three fire departments also responded to provide emergency medical services, if needed. Just prior to surrendering, Ferrell allegedly removed and swallowed two baggies of cocaine that had been hidden in his sock. After surrendering, Ferrell was transported to the hospital for evaluation and treatment and then to the jail. Ferrell was also charged with possessing a weapon under a legal disability because he was convicted of a felony assault charge, in 2007. Possessing a stolen gun was included in the indictment because the 9 mm was reported stolen from a Mount Vernon resident earlier this year.
Husband and wife Daniel P. Storts, 30, and Alisha L. Storts, 30, Mount Vernon, were indicted on ten charges of drug possession. Thatcher said the drugs include over 100 grams of heroin, over 15 grams of cocaine, small quantities of methamphetamine and marihuana, 313 Hydrocodone Bitartrate tablets, 418 Diazepam (Valium) tablets, 11 Clonazepam tablets and Buprenorphine (Suboxone). Possessing stolen drugs charges were included in the indictments because the Hydrocodone Bitartrate and Diazepam tablets were allegedly stolen from a pharmacy, near Columbus. Responding to a suspicious activity call, Deputy Ryan Burgess, KCSO, allegedly discovered the drugs in the Storts’ motor vehicle during a traffic stop on September 26.
Allen Lee Wears, 33, Danville, is charged with importuning for allegedly soliciting sex from a “15 year old girl” via the Internet. The “15 year old girl” was actually a fake persona created by law enforcement, according to Thatcher. Wears is also charged with disseminating matter harmful to juveniles for allegedly e-mailing the “15 year old girl” a photograph of himself fully naked. Wears was arrested on October 4, at the park in Danville, where he allegedly arranged to meet the “15 year old girl” for sex.
Jason W. Davis, 21, Fredericktown, is accused of unlawful sexual conduct with a minor for allegedly engaging in sexual intercourse with a 15 year old girl on multiple occasions between June and September. Detective Dan Bobo, KCSO, investigated the Wears and Davis cases.
Shawna L. Walker, 37, Bladensburg, allegedly stole a purse containing cash and a credit card, on September 5. Thatcher said since the alleged victim is a 74 year old Mount Vernon woman, Walker is accused of theft from an elderly person and theft of a credit card.
On September 26, Robert D. Woodward, 54, Mount Gilead, allegedly threw a brick at the window of a house on Pinkley Road, and then he stole property from the residence. Woodward is charged with burglary and possessing criminal tools, the brick allegedly use to commit the burglary. Deputy Jason Stachler, KCSO, investigated the Walker and Woodward cases.
