Office of the Knox County
PROSECUTING ATTORNEY
117 E. HIGH STREET, SUITE 234, MOUNT VERNON, OHIO 43050
(740) 393-6720 PHONE
(740) 397-7792 FAX
Prosecuting Attorney
Chip McConville
Assistant Prosecuting Attorneys
Michael D. Miller
Michael D. Schlemmer
Joseph D. Saks
Jean L. Stacker
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 2, 2015
Contact: Chip McConville
(740) 393-6720
(740) 398-5361
SIXTEEN INDICTED BY GRAND JURY
MOUNT VERNON – The Knox County Grand Jury handed down sixteen felony indictments on
Monday, according to Prosecuting Attorney Chip McConville.
Ryan A. Gibson, 47, of Mount Vernon, was indicted for aggravated burglary, a first-degree
felony, and aggravated menacing and assault, both first-degree misdemeanors. The indictment
alleges that Gibson forced his way into a residence on Oak Avenue and assaulted an occupant
inside. Gibson also allegedly threatened a second resident with serious bodily harm. The case
was investigated by MVPD Ptl. Jason Payne.
Melissa N. Plagman, 36, of Howard, was indicted for aggravated possession of drugs; a fifthdegree felony, possession of drugs; a fifth-degree felony, and theft; a first-degree misdemeanor.
The case arose from a January 25th incident where police were called to a Mount Vernon
residence for a theft. Plagman was allegedly in possession of methamphetamine, another
controlled substance and stolen jewelry. This case was investigated by Cpl. Rex Young of the
Mount Vernon Police Department.
Drew C. Cullen, 22, of Mount Vernon, was indicted for securing writings by deception, a
fourth-degree felony. After a 2014 forfeiture of Cullen’s 2008 Jeep Wrangler, it was discovered
that the vehicle had multiple liens. Cullen allegedly presented a clean title to a local financial
institution to secure a $10,000 loan, while knowing there was a previous lien. The case was
investigated by Knox County Sheriff’s Captain Jay Sheffer.
Jeffrey L. Smith, 31, of Mount Vernon, was indicted for attempted unlawful sexual conduct
with a minor, a fourth-degree felony, and three counts of importuning, fifth-degree felonies. The
Grand Jury Indicts Sixteen, pg 2.
2/2/2015
indictment alleges that Smith solicited a law enforcement officer posing as a fifteen-year old girl
to engage in sexual activity, and that he attempted to meet the purported teenager for sex. The
case was investigated by KCSO Det. Dan Bobo.
Aaron C. Paulley, 39, of Mount Vernon, was indicted for pandering sexually oriented matter
involving a minor, a fourth-degree felony and illegal use of a minor in nudity-oriented material, a
fifth-degree felony. The indictment alleges that various nude photographs of a minor were
discovered on Paulley’s electronic devices. The investigation was performed by Det. Dan Bobo
and Fredericktown Police Chief Roger Brown.
Malcolm W. Cornell, 31, of Mount Vernon, was indicted for burglary; a third-degree felony,
trespass in a habitation; a fourth-degree felony, attempted abduction; a fourth-degree felony, and
obstructing official business; a second-degree misdemeanor. The case stemmed from a January
19th incident in which Cornell allegedly entered multiple homes before surrendering to police.
The case was investigated by MVPD Cpl. Kyle Theibert.
Donald P. Bailey, 24, of Centerburg, was indicted for receiving stolen property, a fifth-degree
felony. Bailey is accused of cashing a fictitious check in the amount of $2,150.00 at First Knox
National Bank. This case was investigated by Sgt. Alan Dexter of the Knox County Sheriff’s
Office.
Sarah E. Miller, 35, of Millersport, and Paula S. Popham, 33, of Newark, were both indicted
for theft, a fifth degree felony. The indictment alleges that Miller and Popham stole over $1,000
worth of merchandise from Walmart. This case was investigated by Sgt. Scott McKnight of the
Mount Vernon Police Department.
Aimee L. Singleton, 22, of Fredericktown, was indicted for passing bad checks and receiving
stolen property, both fifth-degree felonies. The indictment alleges that Singleton cashed a bad
check in the amount of $2,453.00 at Heritage West Credit Union. This case was investigated by
Cpl. Travis Tharp of the Mount Vernon Police Department.
Rebecca B. Turner, 43, of Mount Vernon, was indicted for grand theft of a motor vehicle, a
fourth-degree felony, passing bad becks, and theft, both fifth-degree felonies. This indictment
arose from allegations that Turner passed a bad check for the purchase of a vehicle in August
2014, and then obtained a loan against the title. This case was also investigated by Cpl. Travis
Tharp.
Charlotte E. Smith, 31, of Fredericktown, was indicted for grand theft of a firearm, a thirddegree felony, and theft, a first-degree misdemeanor. The indictment alleges that Smith pawned a
muzzle-loader shotgun, and fraudulently wired herself money using her father’s credit card. This
case was investigated by KCSO Dep. Scott Baker.
Christopher N. Powell, 42, of Mount Vernon was indicted for domestic violence, a third-degree
felony, and felonious assault, a second-degree misdemeanor resulting from an incident that
occurred on January 16th with a live-in girlfriend. He faces a third-degree felony charge because
Grand Jury Indicts Sixteen, pg 3.
2/2/2015
of a previous felony domestic violence conviction. This case was investigated by KCSO Dep.
Dan Selby.
Jeffrey A. Middleton, 33, of Mount Vernon, was indicted for aggravated possession of drugs, a
fifth-degree felony. Middleton was allegedly found to be in possession of hydrocodone pills
during a search warrant conducted on a Danville residence. This case was investigated by Lt.
Dan Weckesser of the Fredericktown Police Department.
Christine L. Dennis, 56, of Mount Vernon was indicted for domestic violence, a third degree
felony. The indictment alleges Dennis attacked her blind live-in boyfriend. Dennis also has a
previous domestic violence conviction, which makes this case a felony. This case was
investigated by Dep. Kenneth Aurand of the Knox County Sheriff’s Office.
Kenneth L. Johnson, 39, of Marengo, was indicted for domestic violence, a third-degree felony.
Johnson has two previous misdemeanor domestic violence convictions and one felony domestic
violence conviction. This case was investigated by KCSO Dep. Scott Baker.
Arraignments in these cases are scheduled for Friday, February 27, 2015 at 9:00 a.m. in the Knox
County Common Pleas Court.
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