Traffic stop yields trafficking arrest

July 19, 2023

A traffic stop on Interstate 77 resulted in the seizure of cocaine and methamphetamine and a drug trafficking arrest. According to a release from the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, Deputy J. Peters pulled over a car with Florida registration that was traveling in the fast lane despite no traffic being in the right hand lane. During the stop at mile marker 2, the deputy noticed an odor of marijuana coming from the car. When questioned, the driver, Joseph A. Russ, 36, of 3023 12th St., Canton, admitted having marijuana in the vehicle. A probable cause search was conducted, ...

Grand jury indicts 11

July 14, 2023

From Staff Reports The Washington County Grand Jury this week indicted 11 people on charges ranging from drug possession to tampering with evidence. According to a release from the county prosecutor’s office, the following people were indicted: ∫ Charles Johnathan Burton, 40, 804 Hocking Road, Belpre, was indicted on four fifth-degree felony counts of breaking and entering and one count each of fifth-degree felony theft and third-degree felony tampering with evidence. He allegedly stole approximately $4,500 worth of items from Marietta Industrial Enterprises at 17943 Ohio 7, ...

Ohio State Highway Patrol

July 10, 2023

¯ Aaron J. Lockhart, 30, of 174 Ponderosa Drive, Williamstown, was driving a 2010 Mazda 3 southbound on Ohio 339 in Barlow Township June 21 when he drove off the right side of the road and hit a guardrail and a tree. He was treated at the scene by Little Hocking EMS for possible injuries. Lockhart was charged with operating a vehicle without being in reasonable control. ¯ Sena Grace Lott, 34, of 506 W. Fourth St., Williamstown, driving a 2017 Chrysler Pacifica minivan, came to a stop in traffic while southbound on Ohio 7 in Marietta Township June 29. Her vehicle was struck in the ...

Marriages/Divorces

July 10, 2023

The following marriage licenses have been filed at the Washington County Courthouse: ¯ Toby Warren Moore, 47, Marietta, and Francis Marie Merritt, 39, Marietta, June 29. ¯ Melissa Ann Causey, 41, Belpre, and Joshua Eugene Merrill, 37, Belpre, June 29. ¯ Zachary Alexander Thompson, 28, Belpre, and Madison Nicole Hellein, 24, Belpre, June 30. ¯ Patty Sue Moore, 72, Marietta, and Morris Lee Rohdy, 77, Marietta, June 30. ¯ Amanda Lou Goodwin, 48, Belpre, and Timothy Graham Baker, 51, Belpre, June 30. ¯ Jeffrey Dean Brown, 24, Moundsville, W.Va., and Brittany Lynn Carr, 36, ...

Belpre man arraigned on child porn charges

July 8, 2023

BELPRE — A Belpre man was arraigned in Washington County Common Pleas Court on Friday morning. Robert E. Gallagher, 39, was indicted and arrested June 14 on 12 counts of pandering sexually-oriented matters involving a minor or impaired person and one count of possessing criminal tools. Gallagher allegedly created, recorded, photographed, filmed, developed, reproduced or published several files depicting children as young as 5 involved in sexual acts between the dates of April 22 through May 19 at 107 Colonial Square, Apt. F, Belpre, according to the indictment. Gallagher came to ...

Washington County Sheriff’s reports

July 1, 2023

Washington County Sheriff’s Office ¯ On June 12, detectives responded to 1309 Sandhill Road, Marietta Township, to execute a search warrant at the Charles Edward Haught III residence. Earlier in the year, Sgt. McConnell had responded to 440 Highland Ridge Road, Muskingum Township, in reference to the theft of a wood chipper belonging to Asplundh Tree Service. Camera footage was available, however the only description of the vehicle was a white truck, unknown make, model and license plate. About a month later, detectives met with Marietta PD officers regarding a possible suspect in ...