Williams County Prosecutor's Office

03/21/2025

Rock Your Socks! It's World Down Syndrome Day!
Every year on March 21, people all around the world come together to celebrate World Down Syndrome Day by wearing brightly colored, mismatched socks.
Today, the Williams County Prosecutor's Office wishes to show support and appreciation to the Williams County Board of DD and celebrate those living with Down Syndrome.
Whose socks are the best?

10/18/2024

Today, the Prosecutor’s Office proudly presented the Top Cop Award to Sgt. Jeremy Viers of the Bryan Police Department. A 25-year member of the department and President of the FOP for the past 15 years, Jeremy was selected for his exemplary history of leadership, hard work, devotion to giving back to the community, and excellence on the job. Please join us in thanking Sgt. Viers for his many years of service and congratulating Sgt. Viers for this well-deserved recognition!

09/12/2024

Major Drug Dealer Peter Moses Sentenced to Up to 19½ Years for Drug Trafficking - Edgerton, OH

Peter Moses, a key figure in the local drug trade, has pleaded guilty to five serious drug charges, including first and second-degree felonies trafficking offenses. His plea encompasses three counts of Aggravated Trafficking in Drugs (second-degree felonies), one count of Possession of Co***ne (a first-degree felony), and one count of Aggravated Trafficking in Methamphetamine with a Major Drug Offender classification (also a first-degree felony).

During a recent search of Moses’ property in Edgerton, Ohio, the Multi-Area Narcotics Task Force found over 500 grams of methamphetamine and more than 30 grams of co***ne from a backpack in which carried his drugs. The Major Drug Offender classification reflects the large quantity of drugs found in Moses' possession, underscoring the severity of his criminal activity.

Following his guilty pleas, Moses was sentenced to an aggregate mandatory prison term of at least 13 years, which could be extended by the prison up to 19½ years. His sentencing includes:

• 11 years for the first-degree Aggravated Trafficking in Drugs with a Major Drug Offender classification, to run concurrently with a 3-year mandatory sentence for the Possession of Co***ne.

• 2 years for each of the three second-degree Aggravated Trafficking in Drugs charges, to run concurrently with each other but consecutively with the 11-year sentence.

In addition to his prison sentence, Moses will forfeit $1,270 in cash seized during the investigation and reimburse the State of Ohio $1,900 used in undercover drug purchases from Moses that were completed before the search on his residence.

“This case represents a significant victory in our efforts to combat drug trafficking and improve community safety,” said Emil G. Gravelle III, Assistant Prosecutor of the Williams County Prosecutor’s Office. “The diligent work of the MAN-Unit was instrumental in bringing Peter Moses to justice, and the positive impact on our community is already evident.”

The investigation and subsequent legal action against Moses were the result of months of intensive work by the MAN-Unit, with assistance from the Edgerton Police Department and the Williams County Sheriff's Office. The successful resolution of this case highlights the ongoing commitment to removing major drug traffickers from the streets of Williams County.

Williams County Prosecutor Katie Zartman commended the officers. “The work of the MAN-Unit in bringing the offenders involved in this case to justice cannot be praised enough. They put in extensive work to root out this major drug offender who was supplying drugs to our area, made significant efforts to obtain the evidence to prove his criminal actions, and then presented an airtight evidentiary case, all in an attempt to help our community and our citizens be safer from the drugs that are destroying lives and killing people. We all owe the MAN-Unit a debt of gratitude on this case and all of their work.”

08/09/2024

Saying goodbye to a great friend and an exceptional public servant. Sheriff, you will be remembered for a long, long time. Sending peace and love to your family at home and in law enforcement.

Sheriff Kochert and his employees offer our sincere condolences to the family of retired Williams County Sheriff Kevin Beck.

Sheriff Beck served the citizens of Williams County selflessly for many years and built a distinguished career in doing so. From K9 handler of the best boy General to becoming a graduate in the FBI Academy, he held many positions. In 1984 he was assigned to corrections and then patrol in 1987. He was promoted to Corporal in 1999 and then Sergeant in 2000. In 2003 he was promoted to Chief Deputy before earning his highest rank as Sheriff in 2004 by the same people he served.

Sheriff Beck, we thank you for the service and protection you provided to us for many years. We thank you for your guidance, leadership, and mentorship you provided to many throughout the years. We pray your soul finds peace in your eternal walk and we pray your family finds peace as well. Godspeed brother.

07/25/2024

Child sexual predator Ray Ramos, 53, was sentenced yesterday in Williams County to a term of life imprisonment for R**e against an 11-year-old girl. Ramos will not be eligible for parole for 25 years, but if he is not granted parole at that time, he may serve out the remainder of his life for his crimes. As part of the plea agreement, Ramos also admitted to being a "sexually violent predator," which enhanced the sentencing on the charge to reach the 25-to-life term.
The Williams County Prosecutor's Office is grateful to the victim and her family, the Montpelier Police Department, the Sexual Assault Response Team Clinic of Northwest Ohio, Ohio BCI, Williams County Victims Assistance, and the Williams County Department of Job and Family Services for their excellent work on this case. Special recognition should be given to Montpelier officer JR Treace.
Ramos offered no remorse or explanation at the sentencing hearing Wednesday.

06/29/2024

We mourn the loss of Deputy William Henry Butler, Jr. Devastating that an officer who served so selflessly was shot down for doing his job. Thank you, Deputy, for serving and protecting, and may God bless you and your family.

12/06/2023

Team effort to convict on this case! I am so pleased to be able to finally bring justice for this victim.
Big thank you to everyone who was a part of this investigation and prosecution:
Lt. Jonathan Roberts, Chief Tim Livengood, and the other officers at Pioneer PD;
Dep. Kyle Miller; Chief Steven Mendez; Ptl. Deron Prince;
Sharla Young, Kelly Routhier, and the SART Clinic;
the APA Officers; CCNO's Investigator; Victims Assistance;
the entire staff at the Prosecutor's Office;
the prior victims; the victim's family; and especially, the victim.

A Pioneer area man was convicted of multiple felonies Monday, including attempted murder, following a three-day trial in Williams County Common Pleas Court.

08/25/2023

On Monday, we awarded the Williams County Prosecutor’s Office Top Cop award to Lieutenant Darrell Higbie of the Montpelier Police Department.
Higbie was chosen because of his outstanding career in law enforcement, with over 25 years with Montpelier PD, in which he has saved lives, prevented crimes, and made all of Williams County safer. Higbie is an outstanding person who sets an example for other officers and makes a difference in the community. Higbie’s easy smile and relaxed demeanor, as well as his consistent presence in the community, has established a level of trust with those he serves in the public that is especially effective in community policing. Higbie is a talented investigator, meeting high standards of excellence in his cases. Higbie also demonstrates that he has a huge heart and a willingness to help anyone who needs it. Lt. Higbie has made a huge difference in Williams County and is now retiring.
​Thank you, Darrell Higbie!
Please join us in thanking Lt. Darrell Higbie by sending him a thank you note or message.

07/13/2023

Today, after a trial, a Williams County jury delivered guilty verdicts. The jury found Michael C. Rochester, 40, guilty of a third degree felony fleeing offense and driving under suspension.
In February, Rochester led Bryan Police on a high speed chase through Bryan, across the county, and into Blakeslee, reaching speeds of over 100 mph, blowing stop signs and red lights, and driving through a field.
It was Rochester’s third fleeing conviction. His sentencing is scheduled for August 14.
The Prosecutor’s Office wishes to thank Bryan Police Officers Ptl. Ricardo Amador and Sgt. Mason Hammond, the Good Samaritan citizens who pointed the way in which Rochester’s vehicle went during the chase, and the jurors who brought justice in this case.

05/29/2023

Surprised to receive a mailer for a Michigan ma*****na dispensary? We were too!
It is ILLEGAL to bring back ma*****na from Michigan or anywhere else into Ohio, even with a medical ma*****na card.
Don’t fall into this trap, it is a crime!