Man indicted on 12 theft counts

A former volunteer firefighter and president of Washington County's EMS Association was indicted Friday on 12 counts of theft by deception for a scheme in which he allegedly promised TVs and computers, including some to law enforcement officers, and never delivered.

Ryan D. Pracht, 31, of 114 Westchester Drive, Oak Grove, is facing nine felony counts of theft by deception, three misdemeanor counts of theft by deception and one misdemeanor count of falsification. He was one of 30 people indicted by a Washington County Grand Jury this week.

"The 12 counts represent 12 victims," said Washington County Assistant Prosecutor Kevin Rings. "The nature of the scam was that he would promise computers or TVs and say he had to have the money up front because it was a really good deal, they would hand over the money, and he would never produce any of the items promised."

Some victims were asked for money on more than one occasion, Rings said.

"He would go back and ask for more money and say the deal had gotten even better," he said. "He would hit them and then hit them again."

Most of the alleged crimes took place in the last three months, although one dates back to 2005, Rings said.

All crimes involved computers and TVs with the exception of one charge, which related to a firearm Pracht borrowed and then never returned after repeated requests by the owner.

The falsification charge is due to Pracht allegedly lying about his assets in a court filing, Rings said.

"He said he had no interest in real estate when he in fact had a one-third interest in a home with an appraised value of more than $100,000," he said.

Other indictments Friday:

Melissa Degori, 33, address unknown, was indicted on a fifth-degree felony charge of receiving stolen property and three fifth-degree felony counts of forgery. Prosecutors say Degori stole a bag with a credit card inside and then used the card at three Marietta locations.

Cody Cline, 29, of 4103 Jackson Run Road, New Matamoras, was indicted on a third-degree felony charge of aggravated vehicular assault and a second-degree felony count of aggravated vehicular assault stemming from an October accident on Gilman Avenue in Marietta during which another person suffered serious physical harm while Cline was driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. The second count specifies that Cline was driving under suspension.

Austin Wright, 20, of 208 Second St., Lower Salem, was indicted on a third-degree felony count of aggravated vehicular assault and a fourth-degree felony count of vehicular assault. Wright allegedly caused serious physical harm to another while driving on Ohio 60 near Waterford while intoxicated.

Wayne A. Rhodes, 21, address unknown, was indicted on a fourth-degree felony count of breach of recognizance bond after allegedly not appearing in court for a Feb. 11 sentencing. Rhodes had pleaded guilty to a felony theft charge; he has not yet been apprehended.

Randal L. Elliott, 45, currently in the Washington County Jail, was indicted on a fourth-degree felony count of failure to appear. Elliott was scheduled to appear for a jury trial on Oct. 15 and did not attend. He was later arrested in Arkansas.

Edrina M. Long, 35, of Detroit, was indicted on a third-degree felony count of possession of drugs. Prosecutors say Long was found with crack cocaine after a vehicle she was a passenger in was stopped in January.

Jerry Dismukes, 38, of Detroit, was indicted on a fifth-degree felony count of assault of a peace officer. Dismukes allegedly assaulted a correctional officer at the Washington County Jail in January during an argument over towels.

Henry A. Thomas, 26, of Cincinnati, was indicted for trafficking in marijuana, possession of drugs and tampering with evidence, all third-degree felonies. Thomas was allegedly found with 17 pounds of marijuana while stopped along Interstate 77 and also gave a false name and ID card to police identifying him as Maurice Banks.

Thomas R. Poole, 42, last known address in North Royalton, was indicted on a fifth-degree felony count of nonsupport of dependents for allegedly not paying child support for 26 weeks from November 2007 to January 2010.

Bo D. Ladeaux, 20, of 207 A. Rummer Road, Marietta, was indicted on a fourth-degree felony count of failure to notify change of address. Ladeaux, convicted in 2008 of attempted gross sexual imposition, didn't register a new address with the Washington County Sheriff's Office.

Harland Watson, 48, of 1350 State Route 821, Marietta, was indicted on a third-degree felony count of having weapons while under disability. During a prior offender sweep in December, Watson was allegedly found in possession of a handgun and several long guns he is not allowed to have due to a conviction for gross sexual imposition.

Roy B. Woody, 37, of Chapmanville, W.Va., was indicted on fourth-degree felony counts of disrupting public service, theft and vandalism and fifth-degree felony counts of vandalism and possessing criminal tools. Woody allegedly helped steal nearly 15,000 feet of copper grounding wire owned by AEP along Ohio 60 in Lowell. The wire is worth $2,500 but will cost about $28,000 to replace, which is considered in the indictment.

Troy W. Wheatley, 29, of Chapmanville, W.Va., was indicted on the same charges as Woody for the same incident.

Justin D. Deems, 29, of 114 Knox St., Apt. 21, Marietta, was indicted on two fifth-degree felony counts of trafficking in drugs. Deems allegedly sold heroin on two occasions in June.

Rebekah Heldman, 28, of 2307 Highland Ridge Road, Lowell, was indicted on two fourth-degree felony counts of trafficking in drugs. On two occasions in January, Heldman allegedly sold prescription drugs in the vicinity of a school or juvenile.

Kristina Waterman, 29, of 3010 Cats Creek Road, Lowell, was indicted on a fourth-degree felony count of trafficking in drugs, stemming from one of the same sales in which Heldman is accused.

Jason I. Dunn, 24, of 103 Scammel St., Marietta, was indicted on a fifth-degree felony count of trafficking in heroin for allegedly selling the drug in May in Marietta.

Jason Wolfe, 37, of 25 Maple St., Newport, was indicted on a third-degree felony count of domestic violence. Wolfe allegedly assaulted his wife in January and has prior convictions for domestic violence.

Holly Stevens, 40, last known address 9680 State Route 555, Cutler, was indicted on a fourth-degree felony count of trafficking in cocaine, a second-degree felony count of trafficking in crack cocaine and a third-degree felony count of trafficking in cocaine. Prosecutors say Stevens sold the drugs from her former Cutler home in June and July, in the presence of children.

Shandi R. Fisk, 27, last known address 411267 Marietta Road, Caldwell, was indicted on fifth-degree felony counts of trafficking in marijuana and cocaine and a third-degree felony count of trafficking in drugs for selling ecstasy. Fisk allegedly sold the drugs on three different days in November 2008 in various Marietta parking lots.

James C. Parmiter, 28, last known address 16340 Dutch Connel Road, Caldwell, was indicted on third- and fourth-degree felony counts of trafficking in cocaine. Parmiter allegedly made the sales to a confidential informant in the Giant Eagle parking lot, within 1,000 feet of Marietta Middle School.

Dustin E. Allen, 30, of 320 Third St., Lowell, was indicted on three third-degree felony counts of trafficking in cocaine and a fourth-degree felony count of trafficking in cocaine. Two of the incidents were the same sales Parmiter was involved in; two others were allegedly arranged and handled on his own.

Keith A. Nibert, 48, of Gallipolis, Ohio, was indicted on a fourth-degree felony count of gross sexual imposition and three misdemeanor counts of sexual imposition. Nibert allegedly abused a child known to him in Beverly in the summer of 2008.

Christopher A. Lent, 23, of 3835 Highland Ridge Road, Lowell, was indicted on a fourth-degree felony count of unlawful sexual conduct with a minor. Prosecutors say Lent had sex with a willing teen between the ages of 13 and 16 on Feb. 4 at Indian Acres Park in Marietta.

Lloyd Peters, 54, of 567 Coal Run Drive, Beverly, was indicted on two third-degree felony counts of trafficking in drugs, a fifth-degree felony count of trafficking in marijuana, a fourth-degree felony count of trafficking in drugs and a first-degree misdemeanor count of theft. Peters allegedly sold drugs to a confidential informant on several occasions since September 2008 at his Coal Run home.

Robert Peters, 63, of 567 Coal Run Drive, Beverly, was indicted on three third-degree felony counts of trafficking in drugs. Peters was allegedly involved in some sales at the home of his brother, Lloyd Peters.

Christine Emerick, 43, of 121 1/2 Greene St., Apt. 3, Marietta, was indicted on a fifth-degree felony count of trafficking in drugs for allegedly selling crack cocaine to a confidential informant in the 100 block of Greene Street in May.

Jennifer Santee, 47, address unknown, was indicted on a fifth-degree count of trafficking in drugs, for the same sale as Emerick.

Rodney Johnson, 24, last known address 678 Walsh Road, Vincent, was indicted on a fifth-degree felony charge of nonsupport of dependents for not paying more than $6,000 in child support owed from 2006 until 2010.