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LISBON -- A Lisbon man originally charged with domestic violence for allegedly hitting a boy with a belt is now facing three felony counts of endangering children for allegedly abusing the boy repeatedly since 2020.
Joseph Steven Frank, 50, Eric Drive, was indicted by the Columbiana County Grand Jury this week for the charge, with two second-degree felonies and one third-degree felony for the three counts.
According to the indictment, the abuse started when the child was 7 years old, with Frank allegedly abusing, repeatedly administering unwarranted disciplinary measures and causing serious physical harm to the child from Oct. 18, 2020 to April 6, 2023.
An affidavit filed in county municipal court when Frank was first arrested for domestic violence alleged he used a belt that left welts and bruises on the boy's body, arms, head and neck.
Frank was one of 20 defendants issued open indictments by the grand jury, which met for two days, examining 66 witnesses, covering 63 cases and presenting 62 true bills. Besides the open indictments, the grand jury issued three superseding indictments and 39 secret indictments. The secret indictments aren't made public until the defendants are served with the documents. One case was continued.
A superseding indictment was issued against Davante Jackson, 31, Cleveland, with new charges issued for second-degree felonies of trafficking in fentanyl-related compound and possession of fentanyl-related compound and fourth-degree felonies of trafficking in cocaine and possession of cocaine, all with specifications for forfeiture of money in a drug case. The new charges are added to the original charges which included third-degree felony tampering with evidence and misdemeanors of resisting arrest and obstructing official business. Jackson allegedly dropped a bag of alleged narcotics after taking off on foot from officers who responded to an alleged drug deal in East Liverpool on April 3. A patrolman was injured while chasing him down and had to deploy his taser to stop Jackson. According to the indictment, he was attempting to sell and possessed fentanyl in an amount equal to or exceeding 10 grams but less than 20 grams and also cocaine equal to or exceeding five grams but less than 10 grams. He also possessed $863.
A superseding indictment was also issued against James Merino, 66, Benton Road, Salem, charged with fifth-degree felony aggravated possession of drugs and third-degree felony having weapons while under disability. The weapons charge was new. Merino was accused of possessing methamphetamine and a firearm on Oct. 13, 2021. He was prohibited from having a firearm due to prior convictions.
Other open indictments issued included:
-- Matthew Hormel, 40, East Martin Street, East Palestine, aggravated trafficking in drugs and aggravated possession of drugs, both third-degree felonies, alleging he possessed and prepared for sale methamphetamine on July 29.
-- Kharyzma Thompson, 22, Martins Ferry, misdemeanors of obstructing official business, resisting arrest and illegal use or possession of drug paraphernalia. During a traffic stop Sept. 7 in St. Clair Township, she allegedly possessed a suspected glass crack pipe which she grabbed and threw from the packaging. She also refused to place her hands behind her back and had to be taken to the ground during her arrest.
-- Christian Henry, 20, Youngstown, fourth-degree felony improperly handling firearms in a motor vehicle for allegedly having a loaded firearm in a vehicle during a traffic stop July 27.