Indictments were returned in 13 cases on July 7 by a Knox County Grand Jury for various felony crimes. Arraignments are scheduled for July 25 at 9:00 a.m., in the Knox County Court of Common Pleas before Judge Otho Eyster.

According to Knox County Prosecutor John Thatcher, three men face charges in unrelated cases of marihuana cultivation, possession and trafficking. On June 13 at about 10:45 a.m., the Knox County Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant at Timothy R. Patterson’s residence on Beckley Road, Mount Vernon. Patterson, 31, had allegedly converted two upstairs rooms into a marihuana growing operation. The Sheriff’s Office seized approximately 80 growing marihuana plants, a quantity of dried marihuana as well as fertilizers, potting soil, fans, grow lights and other items commonly used to grow marihuana. Thatcher said the total weight of the seized marihuana exceeds 2,000 grams. The KCSO also seized over 19 grams of hashish which is a liquid preparation made from the resin contained in marihuana. Patterson faces charges of illegal cultivation of marihuana, possession of marihuana and possession of hashish. Thatcher said Patterson is also charged with child endangering for allowing his three year old child to live in the residence while the alleged marihuana grow was in operation. Detective Sergeant Gary Rohler, Detective Roger Brown and Detective Dave Light, KCSO, investigated the case with the assistance of special agents from the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation.

On June 30 at about 4:45 p.m., the KCSO seized approximately 80 growing marihuana plants and other items commonly used to grow marihuana at the residence of George R. Bird, Jr., on Thayer Road, Mount Vernon. Thatcher said the total weight of the seized marihuana exceeds 1,700 grams. Bird, 37, is charged with illegal cultivation of marihuana and possession of marihuana. Detective Sergeant Rohler, Detective Brown and Detective Light investigated the case.

On June 27 at about 8:00 p.m., the Mount Vernon Police Department seized over 400 grams of marihuana, pursuant to a search warrant, at John F. Lyon’s residence on North Sandusky Street. Lyons, 45, also allegedly sold a quantity of marihuana to a confidential informant working for the MVPD earlier the same day. Thatcher said Lyons is charged with trafficking in marihuana and possession of marihuana. Detective Sergeant Jeff Jacobs, Detective Corporal Matt Dailey and Detective Craig Feeney, MVPD, investigated the case.

In other drug cases, Chase E. Wells, 23, Mount Vernon, was indicted for possession of 1.2 grams of cocaine and for allegedly conveying the cocaine into the Knox County Jail after he was arrested by Patrolman Matt Jones, MVPD, for a probation violation, on March 2.

George S. Lynds, 60, Mount Vernon, is accused of possessing crack cocaine. On March 27 Patrolman Jeremiah Armstrong, MVPD, arrested Lynds for obstructing official business. During a search incident to the arrest, Patrolman Armstrong found a clear plastic baggie in Lynds’ front pants pocket allegedly containing1.5 grams of crack cocaine.

On April 1 John A. Newman, 37, Zanesville, was stopped for a suspected speeding violation by Trooper Mason Boyce, Ohio State Highway Patrol, on U.S. Route 62 south of Danville. Upon learning that Newman had an active warrant Trooper Boyce arrested Newman and the Trooper found an “Altoids” tin containing three Ritalin tablets during a search incident to the arrest. Newman did not have a prescription for Ritalin which is a Schedule II controlled substance under Ohio law, according to Thatcher.

Richard K. Sharp, 41, Danville, faces counts of aggravated vehicular assault, vehicular assault and operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol as the result of a two vehicle serious injury crash on State Route 514, on April 7. Thatcher said an investigation conducted by Trooper Coby Holloway, OSP, revealed that Sharp’s southbound pickup truck allegedly went left of center striking a northbound minivan driven by a 69 year old female victim. Thatcher said the victim suffered four broken ribs, a broken knee cap and a torn ACL. At the time of the crash Sharp allegedly had a blood alcohol level of 0.156, and he tested positive form marihuana use.

David W. Gordon, 50, Sunbury, is charged with failure to comply with the order or signal of a police officer. According to Thatcher on July 2 at about 9:30 p.m., Gordon allegedly failed to stop the motorcycle he was operating when Patrolman Brian Weiser, MVPD, attempted to pull him over for suspected drunk driving. Patrolman Weiser used the siren, lights and public address system on his patrol car while he pursued Gordon from Harcourt Road at Kinney Road to U.S. Route 36 at Dunham Road where Gordon finally lost control and crashed his motorcycle, in Mount Liberty. Thatcher said Gordon allegedly went left of center over a dozen times forcing one vehicle off the road.

On July 3 at about 10:30 p.m., Michael E. Thompson, 40, Mount Vernon, entered a local convenience store and asked the store clerk if he could pay for his items with a $50.00 bill. Thompson did not produce a $50.00 bill, but instead he allegedly grabbed the $45.00 in change from the store clerk’s hand and ran out of the store. Sergeant Mark Perkins, MVPD, arrested Thompson for robbery after Thompson’s parole officer and two store employees allegedly identified him from the store’s security video.

Benjamin E. Kerr, 39, Mount Vernon, is charged with theft of building materials belonging to a West Vine Street business. On May 8 when Patrolman Mike Wheeler, MVPD, stopped a pickup truck loaded with the building materials, Kerr allegedly confessed that he had taken the building materials without the permission of the owner. Thatcher said the value of the building materials is $1,184.99.

Larry D. Weikle, 44, Butler, is accused of stealing 356 feet of copper cable from a local telephone company. On June 11, a telephone company employee saw Weikle allegedly loading the copper cable into his pickup truck. The next morning when Weikle returned the copper cable to the telephone company and Deputy Kevin Durbin, KCSO, Weikle allegedly confessed to taking the copper cable without the permission of the owner. Thatcher said the value of the building materials is $1,128.52.

Edbin Moralez, 32, Mount Vernon, was indicted on charges of rape and gross sexual imposition for allegedly engaging in sexual conduct and having sexual contact with a ten year old child, on January 15. Thatcher said the alleged incident occurred in Moralez’ apartment when the child’s mother was visiting Moralez’ roommate. Detective Tom Bumpus, KCSO, investigated the case.

Alan D. Pelow, II, 21, Mount Vernon, is accused of having sex with a 15 year old child, on August 15, 2007. Thatcher said Pelow was 20 years old at the time of the alleged unlawful sexual conduct with a minor, and he is charged with a felony because he was more than four years older than the victim at the time of the alleged offense. Detective Bumpus investigated the case.