MOUNT VERNON — According to Knox County Prosecutor John Thatcher, the Grand Jury returned ten indictments, on Monday. Arraignments in the cases will be held before Judge Otho Eyster in the Court of Common Pleas, on December 13 at 9 a.m.
Charles R. Shepard, 58, Howard, solicited a 15 year old girl to meet him for the purpose of engaging in sexual activity via text messages he allegedly sent on November 6, 7 and 8. Shepard also sent obscene photographs of himself to the girl via text messages allegedly sent on November 6 and 7. Shepard was arrested by the Knox County Sheriff’s Office at the location arranged for meeting the girl, on November 8. Thatcher said the “15 year old girl” was actually a law enforcement officer pretending to be a minor investigating Shepard on a tip from Knox County Children’s Services. Shepard’s twelve count indictment includes charges of attempted unlawful sexual conduct with a minor, importuning, disseminating matter harmful to juveniles and possessing criminal tools alleging that Shepard used criminally his cell phone and intended to use criminally the motor vehicle he drove to the meeting place. According to the indictment, Shepard’s 1985 rape conviction increases the seriousness of the attempted unlawful sexual conduct with a minor charge to a third degree felony. Thatcher said, “It is not a defense to a charge of attempted unlawful sexual conduct with a minor, in the facts alleged in this case, to claim that it was factually impossible to commit the crime because the minor was actually a law enforcement officer. It is only necessary to prove that the crime could have been committed had the circumstances been as the defendant believed them to be.” Detective Dan Bobo, KCSO, investigated the case.
Daniel P. Storts, 30, and Alisha L. Storts, 30, Mount Vernon, indicted last month on multiple drug charges, face new drug and other charges resulting from an incident in Danville earlier this month while they were out of jail on bond. Thatcher said on November 4 at about 12:30 a.m., Officer Chad Lishness attempted to stop a motor vehicle Alisha Storts was driving for a traffic violation, but she allegedly fled from the officer reaching speeds of over 100 miles per hour until she lost control and spun off the road outside of Danville. Storts and her husband Daniel were searched and taken into custody at the scene. During the investigation that followed Officers discovered in the vehicle 1,790 Hydrocodone/Acetaminophen tablets, 1,614 Valium tablets, and quantities of cocaine, methamphetamine and marihuana. Over 45 grams of heroin was found along the road where the chase ended. On November 13, over 46 grams of methamphetamine was allegedly discovered hidden in Alisha Storts’ bunk, in the Knox County Jail. Storts is accused of failure to comply with the order or signal of a police officer, eight drug possession charges, and a charge of conveying illegal drugs into the jail. Daniel Storts faces seven drug possession charges, including specifications seeking forfeiture of his motor vehicle and over $8,500.00 in cash found on his person. Detective Craig Feeney, KCSO, investigated the heroin charges and the drug charges at the jail.
On September 15 at 3 a.m., Trooper Joshua Stryker, State Highway Patrol, stopped Anthony P. Bayog, 39, Centerburg, on North Division Street, in Mount Vernon, for suspected driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Stryker allegedly found a loaded .45 caliber handgun in the unlocked center console of Bayog’s motor vehicle during a search incident to his arrest for operating under the influence. Stryker also allegedly found a small quantity of methamphetamine in Bayog’s pocket. Bayog was indicted on charges of drug possession, carrying a concealed weapon, and improperly handling a firearm in a motor vehicle for transporting a loaded gun while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Bayog was also charged with having a weapon under a disability because he cannot possess firearms legally due to a burglary conviction, in Nevada. Thatcher said Bayog has already been convicted of the impaired driving charge, in the Mount Vernon Municipal Court. In a separate investigation, Bayog was found in possession of methamphetamine, on October 18 and 21, when meth was allegedly mailed to him from Las Vegas, but intercepted by the U.S. Postal Inspector’s Office and the Knox County Sheriff’s Office. Detective Feeney investigated the additional meth charges.
Duane A. Hess, Jr., 47, Mount Vernon, was indicted on charges of deception to obtain dangerous drugs and aggravated possession of drugs. Thatcher said from August 1, 2012, through April 29, 2013, Hess allegedly used deception to fill several Adderall prescriptions for the purpose of abusing the drug. Detective James DeChant, Mount Vernon Police Department, investigated the case.
Jenna L. Richert, 20, Mount Vernon, allegedly stole $14,000.00 from her former employer’s cash receipts, between January 1 and October 1. Thatcher said Richert is accused of theft from an elderly person because the alleged victim is 67 years old. Patrolman Matthew Haver, MVPD, investigated the case.
In July 2011, an 82 year old woman gave William T. Grennell, 42, Mount Vernon, $3,100.00 to repair her motor vehicle. Grennell disassembled her vehicle and allegedly never performed the repairs. Thatcher said the vehicle is still disassembled and totally inoperable. Grennell is accused of theft, unauthorized use of a motor vehicle and theft from an elderly person. Detective Tim Arnold, MVPD, investigated the case.
Debra J. Boucherle, 53, Blacklick, allegedly used a Mount Vernon woman’s debit card without her permission, on October 22. Boucherle is charged with theft and receiving stolen property. Patrolman Zachary Miller, MVPD, investigated the case.
Darin W. Corle, 44, and Richard C. Heald, 24, both of Utica, allegedly participated in cutting up an oil drilling rig that was later sold for scrap without the owner’s permission, on July 3. Both men are accused of theft and vandalism. Deputy Aaron Phillips, KCSO, investigated the case.
