The Union County Grand Jury has indicted a pair of men on unrelated charges, stemming from two separate deaths.
The Union County Grand Jury has indicted Dustin James Redmon, 27, of Marion, charging him with one count each of involuntary manslaughter, corrupting another with drugs, trafficking in heroin and possession of heroin.
Union County Prosecutor Dave Phillips said that on Aug. 26, 2017, law enforcement officials were called to a home on Boundary Road. When they arrived, they found the victim dead of an overdose.
According to a coroner’s report, the woman died of an overdose that involved multiple drugs.
Investigators were able to go through the woman’s phone and text messages.
“After the investigation, it is alleged that he was the source of the drugs that led to her death,” Phillips said.
If convicted, Redmon could face as many as 20 years in prison.
The grand jury also indicted another man, charging him for his alleged role in hindering the investigation into a woman’s death.
Todd Phillip Hiles, 42, whose last known address is in Columbus, has been indicted, charged with two counts of tampering with evidence and one count of obstruction of justice.
According to court documents, on Sept. 8, 2019, officers from the Marysville Division of Police were dispatched to the Super 8 Motel on Square Drive on a report of an unresponsive female.
When officers arrived, they found a woman dead on the bed. Investigators found a gray pen tube with a residue inside underneath her left forearm.
Additionally, investigators said there were also several prescription medications, along with loose pills on the counter in the bathroom.
Investigators seized cellphones belonging to Hiles and another woman. Through the investigation, it was learned that Hiles had texted the other woman earlier in the day.
“Subsequently through a cellphone forensics examination, it was learned that Todd Hiles deleted the text message conversation with (the other woman) which was pertinent to the death investigation,” according to court documents.
If convicted, Hiles could face as many as 11 years in prison.
Also indicted was:
– Lynn A. Miller, 44, of 8817 Mitchell Dewitt Road, Plain City. Miller is charged with two counts of trafficking in hashish, and one count each of trafficking in marijuana, possession of marijuana, possession of hashish, possession of cocaine, aggravated possession of drugs and possession of drugs.
Phillips said Miller was arrested as part of an investigation in Hilliard by a special, high intensity drug enforcement group.
As part of the investigation, law enforcement officials intercepted more than $60,000 as alleged drug traffickers attempted to transfer it using a package carrier.
Prosecutors are asking to seize that money, along with an additional $1,500 Miller had that investigators believe he got through the drug offenses.
If convicted, Miller could face more than 29 years in prison.
– Cody Lane Lester, 23, of Columbus. Lester is charged with one count of aggravated possession of drugs, stemming from an Aug. 23 incident involving oxycodone.
If convicted, Lester could face as many as 12 months in prison.
– Leon Forrest, 40, of 145 E. Ottawa St., Richwood. Forrest is charged with one count of aggravated trafficking in drugs. According to court documents, on March 23, Forrest was allegedly selling or attempting to sell oxycodone.
If convicted, Forrest could face as many as 18 months in prison.
– Herman Joseph Nienhaus, 53, of 95 S. Main St., Magnetic Springs. Nienhaus is charged with one count of aggravated trafficking in drugs. According to court documents, on Jan. 20, 2018, Forrest was allegedly selling or attempting to sell oxycodone.
If convicted, Nienhaus could face as many as 18 months in prison.