The Union County Grand Jury has indicted several individuals, charging them with a series of unrelated crimes connected to their probation.
“A positive (drug) sample doesn’t mean you are definitely going to jail right away. It could, but it doesn’t necessarily,” Union County Prosecutor David Phillips said. “But you definitely make the situation worse when you engage in a physical altercation with the probation officer, when you just leave, when you bring a false sample.”
Phillips said that his office will work to charge those that violate their community control or presentence requirements.
“They are on probation. They have been given an opportunity,” Phillips said. “If we find they have abused that opportunity, we will prosecute those cases.”
The grand jury has indicted Alicia Kay Hornsby, Franklin E. Chamberlin and Jeffrey Ronald Ohara.
Each allegedly attempted to fake a urine test and responded in different ways.
Hornsby, 39, of Dublin, is charged with one count each of assault, tampering with evidence, obstructing official business and illegal use or possession of drug paraphernalia.
In October, Hornsby was granted treatment in lieu of conviction on a pair of felony drug charges.
As part of that agreement, Hornsby was to submit to periodic drug testing.
According to court documents, on Dec. 9, Hornsby arrived at the Union County Probation Office for a court-mandated drug test.
Hornsby provided a urine sample, but probation officials believed it was fake.
“There is a number of checks when you do a chemical analysis to determine if it is a false sample,” Phillips said.
The probation officer asked her to give another sample.
According to court documents, Hornsby “provided a ruse that she could not provide a further sample as she was scheduled for a job interview.”
Phillips said that when Hornsby was informed she could not leave, she asked if she could go to her car to get her phone so she could call the prospective employer. The probation officer said she could but escorted her to the car.
Phillips said while Hornsby was looking in her car, the probation officer noticed something poking from her sleeve. Court documents allege Hornsby tried to hide the object, later determined to be a container of “liquid to use for the false urine sample.”
“She was being escorted back to the office and ran back to the vehicle and attempted to flee,” Phillips said.
The probation officer followed Hornsby to the car and tried to stop her.
“During Hornsby’s effort to evade the probation officer, Hornsby slammed the door on the probation officer’s hand,” according to court documents.
Phillips said the woman tried to drive away, but the probation officer was able to at least get partially inside the car.
“There was a bit of a struggle, but the officer eventually grabbed ahold of the keys,” Phillips said.
Court documents indicate that after Hornsby was “subdued,” investigators searched her car, finding a glass pipe and a white powdery substance inside a folded paper.
The original charges against Hornsby stemmed from a Feb. 20, 2021 traffic stop. She was pulled over on U.S. 33 for an alleged headlight violation. Hornsby told the trooper she was having chest pains and an emergency squad was called. According to court documents, the trooper asked Hornsby if she had anything illegal on her and she handed him a piece of burnt foil. Hornsby was searched and investigators allegedly found a burnt glass pipe and a white powder inside her shoe.
According to court documents, a search of the woman’s car revealed multiple pieces of burnt foil, a ripped baggie and a “hard, white, crystal-like substance.”
If convicted, Hornsby could face more than seven years in prison on the new charges and could be forced to serve more than a year for the prior drug charges.
Chamberlin, 51, of Belle Center, is charged with one count each of escape and tampering with evidence.
If convicted, Chamberlin could face as many as 10 years in prison.
Phillips said that on Nov. 18, Chamberlin reported to the probation department to complete a presentence investigation. On Nov. 3, Chamberlin pleaded guilty to aggravated possession of drugs, stemming from a 2020 incident when he was arrested with 6.82 grams, a bulk amount, of methamphetamine.
As part of his presentence investigation, Chamberlin was ordered to provide a urine sample.
He repeatedly said he could not go to the bathroom. Chamberlin was given water several times. He was specifically told not to leave. When the probation officer went to check on Chamberlin, “he had left,” Phillips said.
If convicted, Chamberlin could face as many as 10 years in prison. Additionally, it could impact the sentence he receives on the felony drug charges.
Ohara, 46, of Zanesfield, is charged with one count each of escape and tampering with evidence.
In August, Ohara pleaded guilty to obstructing official business, for lying to police, and a series of traffic and other charges. As part of that case he was ordered to serve a year of community control. During the legal process, Ohara at least once refused to appear for court and was arrested. In November, Ohara failed to report to his probation officer and failed to provide his urine sample. Additionally, it was learned that Ohara had allegedly disabled and removed the court-issued ankle monitor he was required to wear.
If convicted, Ohara could face as many as 10 years in prison. Additionally, he could be forced to serve jail time that had been suspended on the prior charges.