MITCHELL
––––
The woman who allegedly sold the drugs that killed a Marysville woman is now under indictment.
The Union County Grand Jury has indicted Latoya Blanche Mitchell, 33, of 146 Silver Maple Dr., Delaware.
According to court documents, Mitchell sold crack cocaine and heroin to Sydney Allmon.
Union County Prosecutor David Phillips said Allmon and another individual went to Delaware to buy the drugs. He said the heroin Allmon bought was laced with Fentanyl.
“After using that, the crack cocaine then the heroin, she overdosed and died,” said Phillips. “It was a combination, but the lethal drug would have been the heroin/Fentanyl.”
Phillips said the crime was investigated initially after the death. He said investigators gathered “information on a variety of things.”
“She (Mitchell) was the suspected dealer at the time of the death,” Phillips said. “We just needed to be able to make that connection.”
Phillips said the county’s Multi-Agency Drug Enforcement task force is “very attune to investigating these cases.”
Phillips said drug transactions are often conducted by cellphone. He said the cellphones have many pieces of information that can be used, including location history, contacts, text exchanges and more.
Phillips said law enforcement officials try to “work up the chain.”
“Anytime we can identify a trafficker in drugs, we will go after them,” Phillips said. “If we can arrest that person, prosecute that person, it really benefits the entire community.”
He added that while forensic evidence helps build a case, “Realistically, what we need is testimony, a witness to make that link.”
Phillips said the victim knew the risks, but so did the dealer.
“When you sell drugs, you know overdose death is a possibility,” Phillips said.
He added that, “but for her sale of drugs that night, Sydney Allmon would still be alive,”
If convicted, Mitchell could face more than 13 years in prison.
Also indicted was:
– Juan Alejandro Sanchez, 28, whose court listed address is the Tri-County Regional Jail. Sanchez is charged with one count of possession of cocaine. According to court documents, on March 17, Sanchez was arrested with between five and 10 grams of cocaine. If convicted, he could face as many as 18 months in prison.
– Vernon Eldon Swinning, 21, whose court listed address is the Tri-County Regional Jail. Swinning is charged with one count of abusing harmful intoxicants.
According to court documents, on March 28, Swinning was using harmful intoxicants. He was convicted of the same offense in November.
If convicted, Swinning could face as many as 12 months in prison.
– Sarah Joanne Strate, also known as Sarah Joanne Wilhelm, 43, of 15155 Fladt Road, Marysville. Strate is charged with two counts of improperly handling firearms in a motor vehicle and operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol, a drug of abuse or a combination of them.
According to court documents, on April 8, Strate was arrested while allegedly driving with a blood alcohol content of 0.204, more than two and a half times the legal limit. Additionally, Strate allegedly had a loaded gun with her in the car.
If convicted, Strate could face as many as 18 months in prison. Additionally prosecutors are asking to seize the Ruger handgun and extra magazine she had at the time of the incident.
– Clint Charles Santho, 37, of Mansfield. Santho is charged with one count of failure to comply with an order or signal of a police officer.
According to court documents, on Nov. 11, Santho was at a store in Marysville. He allegedly was part of a group trying to steal from the store.
“A nearby officer witnessed the incident,” Phillips said.
He said the officer walked up to Santho and told him to stop.
“He fled,” Phillips said, adding that the driver allegedly went over a curb and other obstacles to get out of the parking lot.
The vehicle eventually got onto Industrial Parkway with officers following.
“The pursuit ended in a crash,” Phillips said.
He said the car actually went into a field.
“Then the vehicle caught fire and burned up,” Phillips said. “The individuals fled on foot.”
The prosecutor said one of the occupants turned themself in and gave police the name of the driver.
If convicted, Santho could face as many as five years in prison.
– Korben Dallas Westberry, 19, of 249 ½ Shepper Ave., Plain City. Westberry is charged with one count of harassment with a bodily substance.
According to court documents, on Feb. 16, Plain City Police Officer Ryan Flowers responded to a domestic situation. As Flowers was trying to deal with the situation, Westberry allegedly spit on the officer and tried to kick him.
If convicted, Westberry could face as many as 12 months in prison.
– Marie Ann Evans, 28, of 14200 Industrial Parkway, Lot 67. Evans is charged with one count of theft of drugs.
According to court documents, on March 10, Evans allegedly stole 40 Oxycodone pills and 15 Xanax pills from a relative.
If convicted, Evans could face as many as 18 months in prison.
– Cody Tyler Jenkins, 24, of St. Paris. Jenkins is charged with two counts of improperly handling firearms in a motor vehicle and operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol, a drug of abuse or a combination of them.
According to court documents, Jenkins was arrested March 10, while allegedly intoxicated. Jenkins allegedly had a loaded gun in the car at the time of the arrest.
If convicted, Jenkins could face as many as 18 months in prison.