Lawrence County Prosecutor

05/26/2026

The Lawrence County Grand Jury returned the following indictments during the May 2026 Session:

Jeffrey Scott Spencer, 48, address unknown — Aggravated Possession of Drugs (F-5); Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (M-4); Operating a Motor Vehicle While Under the Influence of Alcohol or Drugs (M-1).

Eli Aaron Freeman, 20, Scottown — Strangulation (F-3); Disrupting Public Services (F-4); Domestic Violence (F-5).

Donald Cottrill, 50, Ironton — Aggravated Trafficking in Drugs (F-3); Possession of a Fentanyl-Related Compound (F-5); Receiving Proceeds of an Offense Subject to Forfeiture Proceedings (F-5).

Shawn A. Delong, 48, Pedro — Tampering with Evidence (F-3); Aggravated Possession of Drugs (F-5); Obstructing Official Business (M-2).

Jordan Dickens, 35, South Point — Possession of a Fentanyl-Related Compound (F-5).

Reginald E. Kinstler, 47, Coal Grove — Aggravated Trafficking in Drugs (F-2) (5 counts); Trafficking in a Fentanyl-Related Compound (F-4) (2 counts); Aggravated Possession of Drugs (F-3); Possession of a Fentanyl-Related Compound (F-4).

David Hatton, 55, Prestonsburg, KY — Aggravated Possession of Drugs (F-5); Having Weapons While Under Disability (F-3); Improper Handling of a Firearm in a Motor Vehicle (F-5).

Eddie Hill, 46, Pedro — Open Dumping (Unclassified Felony); Abandoning Animals (M-2) (7 counts); Prohibitions Concerning Companion Animals (M-1) (7 counts).

Tracy Lee Dement, 55, Chesapeake — OVI (F-3); Possession of Drugs (F-5).

An indictment is merely a formal charge and does not indicate guilt.

F = Felony, M = Misdemeanor; numbers indicate the degree of the offense.

05/15/2026

05/12/2026

On May 12, 2026, following a two-day jury trial in Lawrence County Common Pleas Court before the Honorable Christen Finley, 54-year-old Flint E. Topping of Ironton was found guilty of twenty counts of fourth-degree felony Pandering Sexually Oriented Matter Involving a Minor or Impaired Person, and five counts of second-degree felony Pandering Sexually Oriented Matter Involving a Minor or Impaired Person, all violations of Ohio Revised Code 2907.322.

The maximum sentence allowed by law for these convictions is 74 years in an Ohio state penal institution.

Judge Finley set sentencing for June 10, 2026, in Lawrence County Common Pleas Court.

Lawrence County Prosecutor Brigham Anderson would like to thank the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office, the Ashland Police Department, and the Ohio Adult Parole Authority for their tireless efforts in this case and for their continued work in helping protect the citizens of Lawrence County.

Photo description:
The image on the left is the booking photo of Flint E. Topping. The image on the right shows Lawrence County Prosecutor Brigham Anderson and the Honorable Christen Finley during closing arguments in Lawrence County Common Pleas Court.

04/30/2026

The Lawrence County Grand Jury returned the following indictments during the April 2026 Session:

Shalya R. Perkins, 34, Pedro — Theft (F-5).

Crystal Dawn Lucas, 40, South Point — Theft from a Person in a Protected Class (F-4).

Jaclyn M. Stiltner, 47, Proctorville — Grand Theft (F-3); Theft (F-5).

Johann A. Lattimer, 33, Euclid — Aggravated Possession of Drugs (F-4); Aggravated Trafficking in Drugs (F-4).

Dazeshawn Demond Crim, 32, Detroit, MI — Aggravated Trafficking in Drugs (F-3) (2 counts); Aggravated Possession of Drugs (F-3) (2 counts); Aggravated Trafficking in Drugs (F-2); Aggravated Possession of Drugs (F-2); Trafficking in Ma*****na (F-3); Possession of Ma*****na (F-3).

John D. Davis, 35, Coal Grove — Grand Theft of a Motor Vehicle (F-4) (2 counts).

Kayla Thompson, 25, Huntington, WV — Tampering with Evidence (F-3); Criminal Damaging (M-2).

Roger Burress, 67, South Point — Domestic Violence (F-4).

Dantonio D. Swanson, Jr., 33, Detroit, MI — Aggravated Trafficking in Drugs (F-1) with Major Drug Offender Specification; Aggravated Possession of Drugs (F-1) with Major Drug Offender Specification; Trafficking in a Fentanyl-Related Compound (F-1); Possession of a Fentanyl-Related Compound (F-1); Tampering with Evidence (F-3).

William J. Scherer, 54, Pedro — Domestic Violence (F-4).

Austin M. Sharp, 30, Ironton — Aggravated Trafficking in Drugs (F-3); Aggravated Possession of Drugs (F-3); Resisting Arrest (M-2); Engaging in a Pattern of Corrupt Activity (F-2).

Tara Lynn Fyffe, 33, Kitts Hill — Trafficking in a Fentanyl-Related Compound (F-4) (2 counts); Possession of a Fentanyl-Related Compound (F-4) (2 counts); Tampering with Evidence (F-3); Illegal Conveyance of Prohibited Items onto the Grounds of a Detention Facility or Institution (F-3).

Andrew J. Gillum, 41, Ironton — Aggravated Possession of Drugs (F-5).

Veronica L. Reynolds, 45, Ironton — Aggravated Possession of Drugs (F-3).

Savannah N. Murphy, 32, Pedro — Trafficking in Fentanyl (F-3) (2 counts); Trafficking in Fentanyl (F-4); Aggravated Trafficking in Drugs (F-5); Engaging in a Pattern of Corrupt Activity (F-3).

John D. Larson, 46, Ironton — Aggravated Possession of Drugs (F-5).

Mickey R. Wilson, 37, Ironton — Intimidation of a Victim (F-3).

Zachary Jenkins, 35, Pedro — Engaging in a Pattern of Corrupt Activity (F-2).

Casey P. O’Brien, 35, Springfield — Failure to Comply with the Order or Signal of a Police Officer (F-4); Improper Handling of a Firearm in a Motor Vehicle (F-4).

An indictment is merely a formal charge and does not indicate guilt.
* F = Felony, M = Misdemeanor; numbers indicate the degree of the offense.

04/30/2026

On April 27, 2026, following a jury trial in Lawrence County Common Pleas Court before Judge Andrew Ballard, Jason Edward Fritz, 47, of Ironton, Ohio, was found guilty and convicted on 17 counts of Pandering Sexually Oriented Matter Involving a Minor or Impaired Person.

Each count is a second-degree felony and is a violation of Ohio Revised Code 2907.322. Fritz faces a maximum possible sentence of 136 years in prison.

Sentencing is scheduled for May 20, 2026, in Lawrence County Common Pleas Court.

Lawrence County Prosecutor Brigham M. Anderson would like to thank the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office, the Ashland Police Department, and Hope’s Place for their assistance and continued support throughout this case. Their efforts reflect a shared commitment to protecting the citizens of Lawrence County and supporting victims through the criminal justice process.

(Pictured is a booking photo of Jason Fritz at the time of his arrest)

04/02/2026

The Lawrence County Grand Jury met for the March 2026 session and returned the following indictments:

Ben Justice, 46, of Louisa, Kentucky, was indicted on one count of Robbery (F-2) and one count of Resisting Arrest (M-2).

John P. Blair, 46, of Ironton, Ohio, was indicted on one count of Vandalism (F-5) and one count of Disrupting Public Services (F-4).

Michael Anthony Lewis, 42, of South Point, Ohio, was indicted on one count of Aggravated Possession of Drugs (F-5).

Martha E. Owens, 44, of South Point, Ohio, was indicted on two counts of Theft (F-5).

Joseph R. Sherman, 27, of South Point, Ohio, was indicted on one count of Domestic Violence (F-4), one count of Strangulation (F-4), and one count of Disrupting Public Services (F-4).

Sean James, 34, of Ironton, Ohio, was indicted on one count of Aggravated Possession of Drugs (F-5).

Aaron C. Donathan, 53, of Rush, Kentucky, was indicted on one count of Having Weapons While Under Disability (F-3), one count of Possession of a Fentanyl Related Compound (F-3), and one count of Aggravated Menacing (M-1).

Jason Allen Lewis, 33, of Buffalo, West Virginia, was indicted on one count of Aggravated Possession of Drugs (F-3).

John L. Hall, 52, of Catlettsburg, Kentucky, was indicted on one count of Aggravated Possession of Drugs (F-3) and one count of Possession of Co***ne (F-5).

William Davis, 53, of Pedro, Ohio, was indicted on one count of Having Weapons While Under Disability (F-3), one count of Improperly Discharging a Firearm (F-3), one count of Receiving Stolen Property (F-4), and one count of Impersonating a Police Officer (F-3).

Mickey Wilson, 37, of Ironton, Ohio, was indicted on one count of Aggravated Trafficking in Drugs (F-2), one count of Aggravated Possession of Drugs (F-3), and one count of Weapons While Under Disability (F-3).

Danielle Spears, 23, of Ashland, Kentucky, was indicted on two counts of Endangering Children (F-3).

Kyle Calhoun, 24, of Ironton, Ohio, was indicted on two counts of Endangering Children (F-3), one count of Endangering Children (F-2), and two counts of Felonious Assault (F-2).

James Baldwin, 53, of Chesapeake, Ohio, was indicted on ten counts of R**e (F-1).

Peggy Pyles, 63, of South Point, Ohio, was indicted on one count of Domestic Violence (F-3) and one count of Violation of a Protection Order (M-1).

Savannah Murphy, 32, of Pedro, Ohio, was indicted on one count of Permitting Drug Abuse (F-5), one count of Possession of a Fentanyl Related Compound (F-3), and one count of Endangering Children (M-1).

Zachary Jenkins, 35, of Pedro, Ohio, was indicted on five counts of Trafficking in Fentanyl (F-3, F-4, F-5, F-3, and F-2) and one count of Endangering Children (M-1).

An indictment is merely a formal charge and does not indicate guilt.
* F = Felony, M = Misdemeanor; numbers indicate the degree of the offense.

03/09/2026

The Lawrence County Grand Jury returned the following indictments for February 2026.

Tommie L. Scarberry, 48, of Proctorville, was indicted on one count of Driving While Under the Influence of Alcohol or Drugs (F-4).

Larry Lee Basenback, 33, of Wayne, West Virginia, was indicted on Failure to Appear (F-4), Tampering with Evidence (F-3), Escape (F-2), and Criminal Damaging (M-2).

John David Murrell, of Pedro, was indicted on Disorderly Conduct (M-4) and Resisting Arrest (F-4).

Joshua W. Sparks, 32, of South Webster, was indicted on Burglary (F-1) and Gross Sexual Imposition (F-4).

Jeremy Johnson, 43, of Crown City, was indicted on Failure to Comply with the Order or Signal of a Police Officer (F-3) and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (M-4).

Nathan R. Day, 34, of Ironton, was indicted on Receiving Stolen Property (F-4), Strangulation (F-4), Domestic Violence (M-1), and Disrupting Public Services (F-4).

Andrew Joseph Farley, 44, of Chesapeake, was indicted on Domestic Violence (M-1), Unlawful Restraint (M-3), Intimidation of a Victim (F-3), and Vandalism (F-5).

James Garrett Adams, 46, of Proctorville, was indicted on one count of Open Dumping or Open Burning (unclassified felony).

Erik S. Johnson, 53, of Russell, Kentucky, was indicted on Violation of a Protection Order or Consent Agreement (M-1), Retaliation (F-3), and Criminal Damaging (M-2).

Melissa R. Clay, 39, of Scottown, was indicted on three counts of Aggravated Trafficking in Drugs (F-4, F-3, and F-4).

Dale Wayne Denney, 44, of Coal Grove, was indicted on Trafficking in a Fentanyl Related Compound (F-2), Possession of a Fentanyl Related Compound (F-2), and Tampering with Evidence (F-3).

Stanley D. Bennett, 44, of Proctorville, was indicted on Escape (F-3) and Failure to Appear (F-4).

Jonathan C. Imes, of Ironton, was indicted on Vandalism (F-5) and Theft (M-1).

Buddy Jenkins, 45, of Ironton, was indicted on Aggravated Possession of Drugs (F-3), Domestic Violence (M-1), and Felonious Assault (F-2).

Markus Davis, 33, of Austin, Texas, was indicted on Trafficking in a Fentanyl Related Compound (F-1) and Possession of a Fentanyl Related Compound (F-1).

Michael A. Lewis, 42, of South Point, was indicted on one count of Aggravated Trafficking in Drugs (F-4).

Rodney Turvey, 51, of Ironton, was indicted on Weapons Under Disability (F-3), Aggravated Possession of Drugs (F-5), Receiving Stolen Property (F-4), and Resisting Arrest (M-2).

An indictment is merely a formal charge and does not indicate guilt.

* F = Felony, M = Misdemeanor; numbers indicate the degree of the offense.

02/02/2026

The Lawrence County Grand Jury met for the January 2026 term and returned indictments against the following individuals:

Ryan Henry Fletcher, 51, Ironton, Ohio – Intimidation (F3), Aggravated Menacing (M1)

Kody T. Roberts, 27, Ironton, Ohio – Felonious Assault (F2), Domestic Violence (M1)

Mark Jackson, 42, Address Unknown – Making Terroristic Threats (F3), Aggravated Menacing (M1)

Kayla M. Holbrook, 29, Willow Wood, Ohio – Felonious Assault (F2), Attempted Trespass in a Habitation (F5), Assault (M1), Child Endangering (M1)

Jalil Shelton, 47, Huntington, West Virginia – Forgery (F5), Theft (M1)

Scott A. Zornes, 63, Ironton, Ohio – OVI (F3)

Dina Darlene Blasko, 44, Coal Grove, Ohio – Aggravated Trafficking in Drugs (F2), Aggravated Trafficking in Drugs (F2), Trafficking in a Fentanyl Related Compound (F2), Trafficking in a Counterfeit Controlled Substance (F5), Aggravated Trafficking in Drugs (F4)

Ashton D. Martz, 31, South Point, Ohio – Failure to Appear (F4)

Tony Coleman, 61, Columbus, Ohio – Failure to Appear (F4)

Nathan A. Meyrs, 45, Hanging Rock, Ohio – Possession of a Fentanyl Related Compound (F5), Aggravated Possession of Drugs (F5)

Isaac J. Phillips, 20, Pedro, Ohio – Assault on a Peace Officer (F4), Failure to Comply with the Order or Signal of a Police Officer (F3), OVI (M1)

James J. King, 49, Ironton, Ohio – Felonious Assault (F2), Strangulation (F3), Domestic Violence (F4), Disrupting Public Services (F4)

Steven Holt, 49, Chesapeake, Ohio – Two Counts of Aggravated Vehicular Homicide (F2), Two Counts of Aggravated Vehicular Homicide (F3)

Markus A. Davis, Jr., 33, Austin, Texas – Tampering with Evidence (F3), Failure to Comply with the Order or Signal of a Police Officer (F3), Aggravated Possession of Drugs (F1)

Antoine S. Brown, 32, Huntington, West Virginia – Forgery (F5)

Ashley Lynn Harper, 42, Kitts Hill, Ohio – Aggravated Trafficking in Drugs (F3), Aggravated Possession of Drugs (F3), Possession of a Fentanyl Related Compound (F5), Possession of a Fentanyl Related Compound (F5), Aggravated Possession of Drugs (F5), Possession of a Fentanyl Related Compound (F5), Tampering with Evidence (F3)

Laurisha Nelson, 38, South Point, Ohio – Aggravated Trafficking in Drugs (F4), Aggravated Trafficking in Drugs (F4)

An indictment is a formal charge and does not constitute a finding of guilt.

01/12/2026

The Lawrence County Grand Jury met for the December 2025 term and returned indictments against the following individuals:

William J. Jervis, 34, Ashland, Kentucky – Failure to Comply with the Order or Signal of a Police Officer (F3).

Steven Smith, Jr., 38, Franklin Furnace, Ohio – Tampering with Evidence (F3), Vandalism (F5), Escape (F3).

Ean D. Brown, 25, South Point, Ohio – Aggravated Burglary (F1), Strangulation (F3), Disrupting Public Services (F4), Possession of a Fentanyl Related Compound (F5), Domestic Violence (M1), Obstructing Official Business (M2).

Harry Ray Marcum, 55, Proctorville, Ohio – Theft (F5).

Sean F. James, 34, Ironton, Ohio – Aggravated Possession of Drugs (F5), Receiving Stolen Property (F5), Theft (F4), Receiving Stolen Property (F4).

Ronnie Ward, 50, South Point, Ohio – Aggravated Possession of Drugs (F5).

Buddy Allen Jenkins, 45, Ironton, Ohio – Failure to Comply with the Order or Signal of a Police Officer (F3).

Joseph T. Elmore, 39, South Charleston, West Virginia – Burglary (F2).

Jodie Spring Stone, 28, Charleston, West Virginia – Burglary (F2).

Steven S. Overbee, 50, Wurtland, Kentucky – Strangulation (F3), Disrupting Public Services (F4), Domestic Violence (M1).

Russell Ferguson, 35, Gallipolis, Ohio – Possession of a Fentanyl Related Compound (F5).

John D. Davis, 45, South Point, Ohio – Felonious Assault (F2).

Kyle E. Clement, 51, Ironton, Ohio – Violation of a Protection Order (F5), Violation of a Protection Order (F5), Failure to Comply with the Order or Signal of a Police Officer (F4).

Kevin Shawn Saylers, 37, Proctorville, Ohio – Burglary (F2), Aggravated Menacing (M1), Aggravated Menacing (M1).

Brittany Marie McKenzie, 34, Address Unknown – Failure to Appear (F4).

*An indictment is a formal charge and does not constitute a finding of guilt.

01/08/2026

On December 16, 2025, Dylan M. Hanshaw, 23, of Ironton, was convicted after a jury trial of F3 Endangering Children. On January 7, 2026, Judge Andrew Ballard sentenced Hanshaw to the maximum of 36 months in prison, following the recommendation of Prosecuting Attorney Brigham Anderson.

The Lawrence County Prosecutor’s Office is committed to holding those who put children at risk fully accountable and ensuring the safety of our community’s youngest residents.

Pictured are Prosecutor Brigham M. Anderson, Honroable Judge Andrew Ballard, and the defendant Dylan Hanshaw.