Municipal Court

LISBON — In Columbiana County Municipal Court, a preliminary hearing was set Jan. 27 for Homer Scott Linger, 49, West Sixth Street, East Liverpool, charged with second-degree felony burglary for allegedly breaking into an apartment in East Liverpool on Jan. 18, allegedly seen by the residents running from the apartment with a bag of potatoes and cigarettes in his hands. A sentencing hearing was set Jan. 27 for Linger, who pleaded no contest and was found guilty of criminal damaging for allegedly slashing a woman’s tires on Feb. 21, 2024 in East Liverpool.

A preliminary/pretrial hearing was set Jan. 27 for Nashua Jenkins, 27, South Lincoln Avenue, Salem, charged with fourth-degree felony strangulation and misdemeanor domestic violence for allegedly assaulting a woman on Jan. 20 in Salem, choking her during the altercation.

A preliminary/pretrial hearing was set Feb. 6 for Diego D. Galicia, 29, Johnson City, Tenn., charged with third-degree felony tampering with evidence and misdemeanors of engaging in prostitution, possessing criminal tools, obstructing official business, resisting arrest and failure to disclose one’s personal information. Galicia allegedly responded to an undercover ad on a known prostitution website and arranged for sexual activity with a female in exchange for $200 to be paid via Cash App, then arrived in East Palestine on Jan. 19 for the meeting. Galicia allegedly refused to exit his vehicle and had to be forcefully removed and continued to resist. While being taken into custody, he allegedly smashed his phone and destroyed it. He had allegedly refused to provide officers his name or identifying information when requested.

A pretrial was set April 14 for Benjamin Joseph Summers, 32, Youngstown, charged with possessing criminal tools, engaging in prostitution, open container, operating a vehicle impaired first offense, OVI breath first offense, two counts driving under suspension, speeding, and no seat belt. Summers allegedly responded to an undercover ad on a known prostitution website and arranged for sexual activity with a female in exchange for $180, traveling to East Palestine on Jan. 17 for the meeting with the phone used to make the arrangements in his possession. He also allegedly possessed an open bottle of whiskey in his vehicle.

A pretrial was set March 27 for Thomas Fifer, 52, Atwater, charged with engaging in prostitution and possessing criminal tools for allegedly requesting sexual conduct for an agreed upon price of $140 from an undercover agent, then driving to Salem for the meeting on Jan. 17 with the phone used to make the arrangements in his possession.

A pretrial was set April 15 for Aaron Gerar Morgenstern, 44, Jeannette, Pa., charged with possessing criminal tools and engaging in prostitution for an alleged sex for hire case, arriving in East Palestine on Jan. 10 with money and the phone used to make the arrangements in his possession.

Todd Goodson, 48, Wadsworth, was fined $300 and given a suspended 90-day jail term for assault. He was ordered to complete 20 hours community service and to stay away from the victim. He was accused of pushing a man three times and striking him in the face with his hand, knocking his glasses off of his face on Nov. 13, 2023 in East Palestine.

A status conference hearing was set Jan. 30 for Nicole Odie, 44, High Street, Leetonia, charged with domestic violence and disorderly conduct for allegedly punching and slapping a man in the face during an argument on Sept. 21 in Salem Township. Later at Salem Regional Medical Center, she allegedly caused a disturbance by using foul language in the emergency room. She’s also facing a probation violation hearing on Jan. 30 for a 2024 case for physical control, failure to produce license, traffic control devices and failure to display valid sticker.

A pretrial was set Jan. 30 for Timothy Wilson, 47, West Pershing Street, Salem, charged with resisting arrest, obstructing official business and illegal use or possession of drug paraphernalia. On Jan. 17 in Lisbon, he allegedly attempted to flee from police on foot after confronted by officers who were aware of active felony drug warrants against him. Officers used a taser, which was ineffective, and tackled him to the ground when he disobeyed multiple orders. On June 20, 2024 in Salem, he allegedly possessed a glass pipe commonly used with narcotics.

A pretrial was set Jan. 27 for Christopher Osborne, 44, Riley Avenue, East Liverpool, charged with domestic violence for allegedly busting through a door and charging at a woman, then shoving her into a wall, causing her to drop to her knees during a domestic on Jan. 19 in East Liverpool.

Charles M. Davis, 35, Forbes Road, Wellsville, was fined $350 and sentenced to 180 days in jail, with 179 days suspended and credit for one day served, for assault, amended from domestic violence. He was ordered to complete 40 hours community service and have no contact with the victim. Davis grabbed a woman by the arms, slapped her in the head and shoved her to the floor and couch on Nov. 9 in Center Township.

Morris Jones, 42, Mapletree Street, East Liverpool, was fined $450 and sentenced to 180 days in jail, with 140 days suspended and credit for 25 days served, leaving a balance of 15 days still to serve in jail for violation of a protection order and criminal trespass. He was ordered to complete 40 hours community service and to stay away from the victims. He was accused of attempting to turn the door knob to get into a home in East Liverpool in violation of a protection order on Aug. 4, 2024. He also walked into an East Liverpool home uninvited on April 3, 2024.

Mark Allen Douglas, 40, Wilbert Avenue, East Liverpool, was fined $300 and sentenced to 90 days in jail, with 80 days suspended and credit for nine days served, leaving one day still to serve in jail for domestic violence and theft. He was ordered to complete 20 hours community service and to stay away from the victim. He was accused of pushing a woman into a wall during an incident Jan. 7 in East Liverpool and also allegedly taking her cell phone.

A probation violation hearing was set Jan. 27 for Andrew Nutt, 36, Albright Avenue, Columbiana, for a 2024 domestic violence case. He was also fined $380 for forfeited license, driving under suspension, booster seat violation and left of center.

Alicia Craig, 34, Alliance, was fined $200 and sentenced to 180 days in jail, with 175 days suspended and credit for one day served, leaving a balance of four days still to serve in jail for theft. She was ordered to complete 20 hours community service and to stay out of Salem Walmart. Craig was accused of assisting a shoplifter and driving the vehicle the man brought the unpaid items to on Dec. 17, 2023.

A pretrial was set April 15 for Lucas Upole, 43, Somer Street, Leetonia, charged with disorderly conduct/intoxication and reckless operation for an alleged incident on Jan. 12 when he rode a 4-wheeler through a neighbor’s property in Leetonia, ripping it up and then was caught riding the 4-wheeler on the streets and smelled of an alcoholic beverage, a Leetonia police affidavit said.

Hayden Coil, 18, Aten Avenue, Wellsville, was fined $600 and sentenced to 180 days in jail, with 178 days suspended and credit for two days served, for misdemeanor unauthorized use of a vehicle amended from felony receiving stolen property, failure to comply with the order or signal of a police officer and expired license. He was ordered to complete 30 hours community service. His driver’s license was suspended for 180 days. Coil was accused of driving a stolen vehicle and failing to stop when East Liverpool police officers attempted a traffic stop, eventually coming to a stop on Jan. 13 in East Liverpool.

Michael Williams, 54, Pennsylvania Avenue, East Liverpool, was fined $500 each for five counts of failure to file city income tax return, with all but $50 of the fines suspended. Williams was accused of failing to file East Liverpool city income tax returns from 2019 through 2022 and in 2024.

Hayley Blystone, 29, Pennsylvania Avenue, East Liverpool, was fined $500 each for six counts of failure to file city income tax return, with all but $50 of the fine suspended. Blystone was accused of failing to file East Liverpool city income tax returns from 2019 through 2024.

Jacob Blystone, no age listed, Michigan Avenue, East Liverpool, was fined $500 each for five counts of failure to file city income tax return, with all but $50 of the fine suspended. Blystone was accused of failing to file East Liverpool city income tax returns from 2019 through 2021 and 2023 and 2024.

A disposition hearing was set Jan. 28 for Brianne Flaherty, 30, Birch Road, East Liverpool, charged with theft for allegedly failing to scan and pay for eight items valued at $110 at the Calcutta Walmart on Oct. 9, 2024.

A pretrial was set Jan. 30 for Payton Dolly Wilson, 26, Dresden Avenue, East Liverpool, charged with theft and drug paraphernalia for allegedly failing to scan and pay for 11 items totaling $164 on Jan. 20 at the Calcutta Walmart and also possessing a brown bag containing multiple packages of an unknown white powder, along with two burnt glass pipes with residue. She’s also facing probation violation hearings on Jan. 30 for two counts of disorderly conduct from 2024 cases.

Afton Parson, 42, Ohio Avenue, East Liverpool, was fined $400 and sentenced to 30 days in jail, with 27 days suspended and credit for three days served in a driver intervention program, for reckless operation amended from OVI and speeding. She was ordered to complete 40 hours community service.

Jordan McClain, 22, Steubenville, was fined $400 and given a suspended 90-day jail term for furnishing false information to avoid citation amended from OVI, and failure to control. McClain was ordered to complete 30 hours community service.

A probation violation hearing was set March 17 for Caleb Starcher, 21, Walker Road, Minerva, for a 2022 case of OVI and an equipment violation.

A pretrial was set March 20 for Larry White, 68, New Waterford Road, New Waterford, charged with OVI first offense.

Jessica Lee, 36, Pritchard Avenue, Lisbon, was fined $150 for driving under suspension.

Jeffrey Johnson, 55, Georgetown, Pa., was fined $100 for driving while texting.

Chelsea Beadle, 32, state Route 164, Salineville, was fined $100 for unauthorized plate.

Lance Hawke, 37, Hazel Run Road, Salineville, was fined $50 for marked lanes.

Jeremy Moore, 47, Floral Street, Damascus, was fined $150 for no valid license.

Gregory Rowley, 54, Steubenville, was fined $200 for driving under suspension and speeding.

A license forfeiture charge was dismissed against Julie Mohn, 41, Struthers, with costs taxed to the defendant.

A speeding charge against Timothy Dugan, 28, Middle Beaver Road, Lisbon, was dismissed with court costs taxed to the city of East Liverpool, for the city failing to appear.

Charges of driving under suspension and traffic control devices were dismissed against Todd Ritchie, 47, North Ellsworth Avenue, Salem, who was charged in Common Pleas Court.

A pretrial was set April 3 for Steven Johnson, 59, Thomas Road, Lisbon, charged with physical control.

Common Pleas

New Cases

County Treasurer, Lisbon, vs. John Raymond Anderson, Ohio Avenue, Salem, et al.; delinquent property tax foreclosure sought for Ohio Avenue, Salem property.

County Treasurer, Lisbon, vs. Tammy Metzgar, Cunningham Road, Salem, et al.; delinquent property tax foreclosure sought for Cunningham Road, Salem property.

Discover Bank, Columbus, vs. Richard Somer, McGeehan Road, Lisbon; collection sought of alleged $24,187 debt.

Newrez LLC, Greenville, S.C., vs. unknown heirs, etc. of estate of Stephanie L. Ewing, deceased, address unknown, et al.; mortgage foreclosure sought for Clark Avenue, Wellsville property.

Credit Acceptance Corporation, Southfield, Mich., vs. Cortland Kellogg, West Main Street, Salineville; collection sought of alleged $6,183 debt.

Credit Acceptance Corporation, Southfield, Mich. vs. Barbara Chace, Lincoln Avenue, East Liverpool; collection sought of alleged $15,130 debt.

Knickerbocker Russell Co., Inc., Pittsburgh, Pa., vs. Stumpmakers Inc., McCormick Run Road, Salineville; collection sought of alleged $23,535 debt.

Steven Guildoo, First Street, Beloit, vs. Zachary Hill, Valley Road, Salem, and Advanced Land Enhancement Solutions, LLC, West South Range Road, Salem; damages sought for personal injury claim from 2023 traffic crash.

Docket Entries

Discover Bank vs. Michael Lujan; $7,290 judgment granted to plaintiff.

PNC Bank vs. Brittany Logan; $10,419 judgment granted to plaintiff.

Heather Kopan vs. Cory McCusker; divorce granted.

Michelle Griffith vs. Danial Griffith; divorce granted.

Marriage Licenses

Joseph Caruso, 50, Ashtabula, aerospace engineer, and Melanie Weimer, 42, Salem, public benefits specialist.

Netzaid Garcia Alvarado, 24, Salem, mold setter, and Ivy Rose Koons, 28, Salem, housekeeper.

Zachary Chappell, 37, East Liverpool, unemployed, and Brianne Jackson, 33, East Liverpool, nurse practitioner.

Grand Jury

LISBON — Two drug defendants were served recently with secret indictments issued by the Columbiana County Grand Jury, including:

— Kenneth Kleinknecht, 52, Lisbon Canfield Road, Leetonia, aggravated possession of drugs, a third-degree felony, for allegedly possessing methamphetamine on April 16, 2024 in an amount equal or greater than bulk, but less than five times bulk.

— Kristen Guappone-Huff, 36, Buffalo Road, Kensington, aggravated possession of drugs, a third-degree felony, for allegedly possessing methamphetamine on Nov. 23, 2023 in an amount equal or greater than bulk, but less than five times bulk.

Court News

LISBON — A trial date of Jan. 29 remains set in a drug case against a man scheduled to face an aggravated murder trial June 24 for the 2021 shooting death of Brycen Douglas.

Elvin EJ Tisdale, 34, a former West Virginia man whose address is listed as the Columbiana County jail, appeared recently for a status hearing in Common Pleas Court for a separate case for aggravated possession of drugs, a fifth-degree felony.

Tisdale was accused of possessing methamphetamine on Aug. 2, 2023 while an inmate at the county jail for the murder indictment issued in January 2023. He remains incarcerated under a $1 million cash or surety bond.

His defense attorney filed a motion for a continuance of the jury trial for the drug charge, but the state opposed the motion and Judge Megan Bickerton denied the request.

He also has a case pending for possession of fentanyl-related compound, a fifth-degree felony, for allegedly possessing fentanyl on July 6, 2022. In that case, a status hearing was continued, with a suppression hearing set for July 9.

Defense attorney Coleen Hall Dailey requested the continuance, which was not opposed by the state, noting she was prepping for trial in a much more serious matter against her client. She wrote that the result should make this case easier to resolve.

In the aggravated murder case, an interim status hearing was set for 11 a.m. April 28, with a final status hearing at 11 a.m. June 16.

Tisdale was charged with aggravated murder, murder and having weapons under disability for allegedly causing the death of Douglas, 20, who was found deceased from an apparent gunshot wound on the front porch of a Pennsylvania Avenue home in East Liverpool on July 15, 2021.

A co-defendant, Allen N. Tisdale, 24, Lisbon, was also charged with aggravated murder, murder and firearm specifications for allegedly killing Douglas. The trials for the two Tisdales were separated earlier this month. The dates in the case against Allen will include an interim status hearing at 9 a.m. May 16, a final status hearing at 9:20 a.m. July 21 and a jury trial at 9 a.m. July 29.

Also in Common Pleas Court:

— Cassandra Badini, 36, Rootstown, pleaded guilty to third-degree felony tampering with evidence, fifth-degree felonies of aggravated possession of drugs and unauthorized use of a vehicle and misdemeanor driving under suspension for allegedly possessing methamphetamine, tampering with evidence and using a 2005 Chevy Colorado belonging to someone else without permission on Dec. 23, 2023. Sentencing was set for March 17, with bond set at $25,000 cash or surety.

— Brandon Maxwell, 25, Mechanicsburg, Pa., was ordered to spend 119 days in the county jail, with credit for 119 days already served, leaving a balance of zero days to serve, after violating the terms of his probation for attempted compelling prostitution and attempted unlawful sexual contact with a minor, both fourth-degree felonies. His probation was dishonorably terminated. Maxwell was accused of soliciting sexual conduct from an online undercover ad placed by an agent for a mother and her 15-year-old daughter in exchange for $220, arriving in East Palestine for the meeting on Feb. 27, 2023.

— Dawn Martin, 32, Cleveland, was placed under community control for two years for aggravated possession of drugs, a fifth-degree felony, for possessing psilocyn on Oct 6, 2023. She received credit for 55 days served in jail.

— Jenifer Phillis, 27, Grant Street, Lisbon, was placed on a treatment plan for three years after pleading guilty to possession of cocaine, a fifth-degree felony, for possessing cocaine on April 2, 2024.