MOUNT VERNON – On Friday, Mark K. Cox, 34, Columbus, was convicted of possession and trafficking in cocaine and aggravated possession and trafficking in drugs. Knox County Prosecutor John Thatcher said between January 4 and March 7, Cox possessed and sold cocaine and Oxycodone to a confidential informant. Detective James DeChant, Mount Vernon Police Department, investigated the case. Cox did not request a pre-sentence investigation. Judge Otho Eyster sentenced Cox to prison terms totaling 17 months.
Anthony R. Ferrell, 31, Mount Vernon, entered guilty pleas to charges of escape, inducing panic, possession of cocaine, tampering with evidence and two firearms offenses. Ferrell will be sentenced on December 13. Prosecutor 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 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 removed and swallowed two baggies of cocaine that had been hidden in his sock. Ferrell was in possession of weapon under a legal disability because he was convicted of a felony assault charge, in 2007. The gun was also stolen, according to Thatcher.
