Grand jury hands down indictments
By Brad Bauer, bbauer@mariettatimes.comA former Washington County Child Support Agency employee is facing a felony theft in office charge after a grand jury alleged she improperly gave herself a raise and turned in expense vouchers for seminars she did not attend.
Assistant Washington County Prosecutor Kevin Rings said Jolena Best, former fiscal communications supervisor for the county's child support agency, is facing a fourth-degree felony charge for the alleged acts.
"Her final pay was docked $1,300, but I don't think that covered all of this," Rings said. "The state auditors issued a finding this year which showed a $470 overpayment."
Rings said Best twice ordered a 30-cent per hour pay raise. The first attempt was stopped and the second went through, he said.
Best earned $14.80 per hour prior to the pay raise, Rings said.
The thefts are alleged to have taken place between April and August 2007.
Best faces up to 18 months in prison if convicted. Her arraignment is set for 1 p.m. April 9.
Other indictments:
Timothy Rogers, 30, of Vincent, was charged with three counts of fifth-degree forgery. Rogers is accused of stealing and cashing checks from three individuals between October and November of last year.
Lonnie Dalrymple, 24, of 1308 Williamson Ave., New Matamoras, was charged with first-degree misdemeanor assault. Dalrymple is accused of assaulting an individual Dec. 19 at the Grandview Tavern in New Matamoras.
Jeffrey L. Ingram, 29, address unknown, was charged with fourth-degree felony breach of recognizance bond. Ingram is accused of failing to appear for a court-ordered hearing on March 5.
Jamie L. Morgenstern, 29, of 401 Third St., Macksburg, was charged with third-degree tampering with evidence and fifth-degree felony possession of drugs. Morgenstern is accused of being in possession of drugs and attempting to dispose of them during a Dec. 18 arrest.
Tony T. Hill, 44, of 1192 Patten Mills Road, Bartlett, was charged with fifth-degree felony unlawful possession of a dangerous ordnance. Hill is accused of being in possession of a fully automatic World War II gun in May 2006.
Kevin S. Ball, 37, of 107 Colonial Square Apt. D, Belpre, was charged with fifth-degree felony misuse of a credit card and fifth-degree felony theft. Ball is accused of improperly using a credit card in November.
Brenda A. McLeod, also known as Brenda A. Miller, 43, of 1115 37th St., Parkersburg, was charged with first-degree misdemeanor escape. McLeod is accused of failing to report to jail after she was convicted of passing bad checks.
Matthew Cornell, 25, address unknown, was charged with fourth-degree felony failure to provide verification of current address. Cornell, a registered sex offender, is accused of failing to register his current address.
Deborah J. Holdren, 47, of Greene Street, Newport, was charged with fifth-degree felony theft. Holdren, a former employee of Peebles Department Store, is accused of stealing $2,000 from the business by falsifying returns between Dec. 1, 2008 and Feb. 11.
Jason W. Terrell, 28, of 501 Calder Ridge Road, Belpre, was charged with fifth-degree felony trafficking in cocaine and third-degree felony trafficking in cocaine. Terrell is accused of selling drugs to a confidential informant between November and December of last year.
Brian Patterson, 26, of Huntington, W.Va., was charged with fifth-degree trafficking cocaine, two counts of fourth-degree felony trafficking in cocaine and two counts of third-degree felony trafficking in cocaine. Patterson is accused of selling drugs to a confidential informant between November and December of last year.
Steven R. Hand III, 20, of 1710 Drag Strip Road, Little Hocking, was charged with fifth-degree felony trafficking in cocaine. Hand is accusing of selling drugs to a confidential informant on April 18 in Belpre.
Misty Martin, 19, of 1182 Hocking Road, Little Hocking, was charged with fifth-degree felony trafficking in drugs. Martin is accused of selling drugs to a confidential informant on July 17 in Belpre.
Nicole Thompson, 23, last known address of 134 Franklin St., Marietta, was charged with three counts of fifth-degree felony permitting drug abuse. Thompson is accused of allowing her apartment to be used for drug sales between March and July of 2008.
Craig W. Churchill, 42, of Zanesville, was charged with third-degree felony failure to comply with the order or signal of a police officer and fifth-degree felony theft. Churchill is accused of stealing tools from Lowe's in Marietta and then failing to stop for police near Lowell on March 6.
Lorie M. Storie, 26, of Chandlersville, was charged with fifth-degree felony theft. Storie is accused of stealing tools from Lowe's on March 6.
Carrie J. Wilson, 33, of Cambridge, was charged with fifth-degree felony theft. Wilson is accused of stealing tools from Lowe's on March 6.
Michael McMannis, 47, of Caldwell, was charged with third-degree felony operating a vehicle while intoxicated. McMannis is accused of being intoxicated during a Feb. 13 traffic stop on Ohio 60 near Beverly. Prosecutors said it is the eighth time McMannis has been charged with OVI.
Geoff A. Urbaniak, 19, of 428 Strecker Lane, was charged with fifth-degree felony theft. Urbaniak is accused of entering parked vehicles in Marietta on Sept. 30.
Kenneth J. Walters, 22, of 706 Ninth St., Marietta, was charged with fifth-degree felony theft. Walters is accused of entering parked vehicles in Marietta on Sept. 30.
Joseph Wilson, 24, of Columbus, was charged with two counts of fifth-degree felony telephone harassment and first-degree misdemeanor aggravated menacing. Wilson is accused of making threatening phone calls on Sept. 26 to a Belpre woman concerning the custody of his child.
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fairytales
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04-02-09 11:52 PM
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The biggest victims are probably her children....
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fairytales
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04-02-09 11:42 PM
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I hear that she's got a few and never paid a dime of child support....and her ex....raised them????
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fairytales
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04-02-09 11:40 PM
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The biggest victims are probably her children....
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BitterSweet17
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04-02-09 3:04 PM
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Also Lawman, the paper said nothing about maybe not being the correct amount. It states "Her final pay was docked $1,300, but I don't think that covered all of this" I take that as they are saying they think she owes more. The article is above, maybe you should read it again. It also states that she gave her self a pay increase twice. And, if I did my research correctly the director that you currently have was not even in the director position at the time. Maybe people who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones!
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BitterSweet17
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04-02-09 9:29 AM
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I never post comments on here, but this time I had to. I personally know someone who has worked in that office for years and I also personally know the director. SHE HAs DONE NOTHING WRONG! When the director first came to office years ago before she was director these ladies hated her then. They didn't like someone with authority. They have had a grudge ever since. Also, if the actions of Ms Best had taken place in 2007, that gave them almost 2 years to investigate. I believe in that time they would of found out the truth. What? Did the director go in give Ms Best a raise. Didn't these actions took place before the new director took her position? Maybe we should all just sit back and let the law do their job instead of being so quick to criticize. I don't know if Ms. Best is guility or not and I am in no place to decide that. But I do know what you are saying regarding the director is false. You just want someone to blame. That's ok cause like lawman said, What goes around comes aroun
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ObserverofJusticeSystem
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04-02-09 8:09 AM
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There are some interesting posts here that need furthur investigation to get to the bottom of the goings-on up there. I reserve judgement on Ms Best until EVERYTHING is investigated thouroughly. If that indeed even happens.
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lawman
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04-01-09 1:50 PM
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Ms. Best is the victim here. She is not a thief of a liar. You can bet these are fudged up numbers by the director, who is the real criminal here. She can't stand someone who stands up to her and that is exactly whats going on. What comes around goes around!
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billwhite4056
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04-01-09 5:57 AM
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When my daughter worked there she was forced out by crooked director they have who forced some of her other good people she worked with out. Director altered her own daughters child support records, and other records but workers fear crossing her or blowing the whistle. This employee was a victim of her as well. Director up there should never have been put in. She rules by fear an intimidation and employees know she can force them out. Sad situation my daughter is in after being put out by her for no reason. She documents well to back actions, but no one to see how good she is at altering or making up documents. Sad.
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Johanna
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03-31-09 11:18 PM
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Johnny...lol.. then you must know her!!!!
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JohnnyRingo
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03-31-09 10:41 PM
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Yes Johanna, yes I can say 'loser'. LOSER!!! lol
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Johanna
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03-31-09 10:00 PM
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Whatever..can you say "Loser..."???????????
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lerxt42
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03-31-09 8:12 PM
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yeh served 3 days in jail and fined $1000 plus 6 months probation for giving a guy a fat lip in an argument. First offense, never had as mch as a parking ticket before. Yeah isn't marietta a swell place to live
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parkersburg46
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03-31-09 8:10 PM
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Lawyers like lawbreakers.....makes them lots of $$$$$$$$$
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lerxt42
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03-31-09 6:05 PM
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All those bastards are corrupt anyway. I have no trust or respect for anything in this town
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Roland
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03-31-09 4:59 PM
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Folks are quick to convict on this site so where is the outrage on this one? A much worse crime than drug use, this is stealing from our children. That bunch of man-haters up there all ought to be investigated for incompetence at the very least. If anyone knows tell me how they get around the fire code in that waiting room with only an elevator exit and a locked door that has to be buzzed open. Also, just why do they need 1 inch thick glass? It looks like something at a gas station on West Broad St.
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lawman
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03-31-09 4:05 PM
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Junior explain to me how to many lawyers impacts local economy? Yet you still want to add "a couple more judges, cops & lawyers" to straighten things out.
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lawman
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03-31-09 3:05 PM
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wandyis NOT cool! How sad it is that people cast stones, when they don't have a clue to the facts. Innocent until proven guilty I think is how the system works! Seems to me someone likes to be a hall monitor! I recall the paper quoting something about maybe not being the correct amount???
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WandyisCool
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03-31-09 1:52 PM
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Jolena Best was on probation in April 2007for OVI... Judge William M Nuzum, III Probation Information: Probation Officer: Brian Ketelsen Duration: 2 year(s) Probation condition(s): 1. No New Offenses 2. Assessment and Counseling 3. 72 Hour Driver Intervention Program 4. Level II Probation
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