A Raymond man, already under indictment for involuntary manslaughter in connection with the death of a Richwood man, has been indicted on additional charges, stemming from the overdose of another individual.
Ethan Michael Lowther, 26, 27611 Route 31, Raymond, has been indicted, charged with two counts of corrupting another with drugs and one count of trafficking in a Fentanyl-related compound.
According to court documents, on Oct. 20, deputies responded to an overdose. The individual was unconscious and was not breathing normally. First responders gave the victim Narcan, which reversed the effects of the drug.
On Nov. 18, the victim spoke to detectives about the incident. The victim explained that on Oct. 19, they had purchased $60 worth of heroin from Lowther via Facebook Messenger. According to court documents, the victim said they have been purchasing drugs from Lowther for some time. They said Lowther purchases from a supplier in Marion.
Last month, the Union County Grand Jury indicted Lowther on one count each of involuntary manslaughter, corrupting another with drugs and trafficking in a Fentanyl-related compound, two counts of receiving stolen property and three counts of complicity in the commission of an offense.
According to Union County Prosecutor Dave Phillips, on Nov. 1, Luke Kunkle, 26, was found dead in his bed at his home on Ottawa Street in Richwood.
Kunkle’s body was taken to Montgomery County for an autopsy which helped investigators determine he had died of an overdose of Fentanyl.
The Union County Multi-Agency Drug Enforcement Task Force began investigating.
Phillips said that through interviews, reviewing phone calls and text messages and other investigation, it was determined that Lowther allegedly sold the fatal drugs to Kunkle and “law enforcement was able to piece together some details around the transaction.”
Also indicted were:
– Codefendants Noah Reinhard Lafferty and Cassandra Janelle Blade.
Phillips said law enforcement officials were contacted by a local, federally licensed firearms dealer. The dealer said several firearms were stolen from his home.
Investigators found the guns at a pawn shop. Pawn shops are required to keep information about who sells items to the store. Records indicate it was the pair that stole the guns. Lafferty is related to the victim.
Lafferty, 22, of 19065 Easton Road, Marysville, is charged with two counts of grand theft when the property is a firearm or dangerous ordinance, two counts of receiving stolen property and one count each of having weapons under disability.
Blade, 20, of Lancaster, is charged with one count each of grand theft when the property is a firearm or dangerous ordinance and receiving stolen property.
If convicted on all counts, Lafferty could face as many as 28 years in prison and Blade could face more than 11 years in prison.
“When you steal from federally licensed firearms dealer that increases the potential penalty,” Phillips said.
– Kevin T. Green, 37, of 31578 Osborne Road, Richwood. Green is charged with two counts of aggravated trafficking in drugs, two counts of aggravated possession of drugs and one count each of engaging in a pattern of corrupt activities, having weapons under disability and possession of criminal tools.
Green was the subject of a months-long criminal investigation. On March 3, the Union County Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant at the man’s home. Investigators recovered what they said appeared to be drugs in powder form and in pills and capsules, as well as drug paraphernalia and weapons.
According to court documents, on multiple occasions over the course of a month, Green allegedly sold or attempted to sell methamphetamines.
If convicted, Green could face as many as 53 years in prison. Additionally, officials are looking to seize $3,360, scales, an armored vest, multiple cell phones, two Cadillacs, two BMWs, three handguns and a set of digital scales.
– Mona Goodson, 23, of the Ohio Reformatory for Women. Goodson is charged with three counts of assault and one count of harassment with a bodily substance, stemming from three separate incidents.
According to court documents, Goodson spit at a corrections officer on one occasion, bit a captain at the prison and bit a corrections officer.
Goodson was originally sent to prison in March of 2018 for robbery and assault convictions in Franklin County. While incarcerated, she was convicted of harassment by an inmate in Franklin County.
The most recent indictment marks at least a dozen times Goodson has been charged criminally for her behavior while at ORW. She has a history that includes throwing urine, spitting, punching, kicking, biting, smearing feces, pinching and throwing things.
If convicted, Goodson could face an additional 16 years in prison.
– Mary J. Selvey, 44, of Orient. Selvey is charged with one count of aggravated possession of drugs, stemming from a Sept. 17 incident involving methamphetamines. If convicted, Selvey could face as many as 12 months in prison.
– Ashley Nichole Walpole, 22, of Lima. Walpole is charged with one count of improperly handling firearms in a motor vehicle.
According to court documents, about 3:13 a.m., Jan 10, Walpole was cited for driving under suspension. When investigators searched the woman’s car they found a loaded gun.
If convicted, Walpole could face as many as 18 months in prison.
– Jason Thomas Trosper, 42, of 222 N. Chillicothe St., Plain City. Trosper is charged with one count of tampering with evidence stemming from a Feb. 24 incident.
If convicted, Trosper could face as many as five years in prison.
– Brian E. Legg Sr. and Sharrod D. Taylor, both of Columbus. Legg 54, and Taylor, 48, are each charged with one count of grand theft of a motor vehicle.
According to court documents, about 11:40 p.m., Feb. 14, video cameras capture a white GMC Jimmy pulling into the parking lot at a local hardware store. The vehicle is seen driving along the front of the business. The passenger, later identified as Legg, gets out of the vehicle, walks along the front of the business then returns to the vehicle.
The Jimmy goes behind the building and allegedly takes a trailer belonging to the business.
About a half hour after the alleged theft, law enforcement officials stopped the Jimmy on Delaware Avenue.
The trailer was valued at $3,205.
If convicted, Legg and Taylor could each face as many as 18 months in prison.