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LISBON -- A man originally scheduled for sentencing a year ago recently faced his punishment for two separate cases, receiving consecutive terms totaling 30 months in prison.

Anthony R. Wagoner, 46, Walnut Street, Rogers, appeared for sentencing in Columbiana County Common Pleas Court for third-degree felonies of failure to comply with the order or signal of a police officer and having weapons while under disability, fifth-degree felony aggravated possession of drugs and misdemeanor resisting arrest.

He was sentenced to 18 months for the one case for the failure to comply and ordered to serve a consecutive term of 12 months for the weapons charge for a total of 30 months. Terms for other charges were to be served at the same time.

His license was suspended for five years.

Wagoner was originally supposed to face sentencing in August 2025, but failed to appear, then there were continuances, he ended up with a new attorney and attempted to vacate the original plea. The motion was withdrawn for the sentencing.

On March 12, 2024, Wagoner fled from police and resisted arrest and on July 5, 2023, he possessed methamphetamine and had a firearm when he was prohibited from having one due to a previous conviction.

Also in Common Pleas Court:

-- Randy T. McCauley, 40, Canton, was sentenced to nine months in prison for third-degree felony compelling prostitution, fifth-degree felony possessing criminal tools and misdemeanor engaging in prostitution for responding to an undercover familial ad on a known prostitution website of an adult female and a minor female and arranging for sexual activity with both females in exchange for $260, then arriving in East Palestine on Nov. 28, 2025 for the meeting with the phone used to make the arrangements in his possession. He was deemed a Tier II sex offender required to register his address for the sex offender registry.

-- Lindsay K. Buzzard, 38, Fisher Avenue, East Liverpool, was ordered to serve up to six months at the Eastern Ohio Correction Center and placed under community control for three years for possession of a fentanyl-related compound, a fifth-degree felony, and illegal conveyance of drugs of abuse onto the grounds of a specified governmental facility, a third-degree felony, for possessing fentanyl and trying to bring drugs onto a detention facility property on Aug. 8, 2024. She was sentenced to 30 days in jail, but received credit for 30 days already served, leaving no days to serve in the jail.

-- Christian M. Bell, 30, last known address Youngstown, pleaded guilty to a lesser-included offense of third-degree felony burglary (originally second-degree), third-degree felony grand theft when the property is a firearm or dangerous ordnance, and fifth-degree felony possession of cocaine, with sentencing set for Sept. 21. Charges of felony theft, misdemeanor theft and felony aggravated possession of drugs will be dismissed. On Aug. 30, 2024 in East Liverpool, Bell entered another man's home while he was at work and stole several items, including a video game system, a firearm and $2,000 cash. On February. 6, 2025, he possessed cocaine.

-- Willie L. Hill Jr., 20, Columbus, was ordered to serve 30 days in jail, with credit for one day served, leaving a balance of 29 days to serve in jail for two counts of complicity in the commission of an offense, both fourth-degree felonies, and receiving stolen property, a fifth-degree felony. He was placed under community control for four years. Hill was accused of aiding and abetting another in the theft of a motor vehicle and for possessing a stolen license plate on Jan. 26, 2025.

-- Kelly A. Stoddard, 40, East Eighth Street, East Liverpool, pleaded guilty to aggravated possession of drugs and possession of a fentanyl-related compound, both fifth-degree felonies, with sentencing set for Sept. 11 for possessing methamphetamine and fentanyl on Aug. 7, 2024.

-- Thomas L. Peterson, 62, Grafton, pleaded guilty to aggravated possession of drugs, a fifth-degree felony and sentenced to six months in the county jail, with credit for 53 days served, leaving a balance of 127 days still to served in jail. He possessed methamphetamine on Nov. 25, 2024.

-- Virginia Lee Mills, 59, North Ellsworth Avenue, Salem, pleaded guilty to aggravated possession of drugs, a fifth-degree felony, and was placed on an intervention plan for three years. She possessed methamphetamine on April 10, 2025.

-- Christopher J. Thomas, 41, Ohio Avenue, East Liverpool, was ordered to jail for 120 days, with 52 days credit, leaving a balance of 68 days still to serve for violating the terms of his probation for nonsupport of dependents, a fifth-degree felony. His community control was dishonorably terminated. Thomas failed to pay support for a child from April 2, 2023 to March 30, 2025.

-- Shelley L. Swigert, 52, Ashton Road, East Liverpool, was ordered to jail for 260 days, with 166 days credit, leaving a balance of 94 days still to serve for violating the terms of her probation for possession of cocaine and possession of a fentanyl-related compound, both fifth-degree felonies. Her community control was dishonorably terminated She possessed cocaine and fentanyl on Aug. 26, 2023.

-- Sheridan S. Taylor, 35, Massillon, was placed under community control for three years for possession of a fentanyl-related compound, a fifth-degree felony, and illegal conveyance of a drug of abuse onto the grounds of a specified governmental facility, a third-degree felony, for possessing fentanyl and trying to take drugs onto the grounds of a detention facility on Aug. 18, 2023.

-- Anthony E. Barbero,, 45, Poland, pleaded guilty to third-degree felony tampering with evidence, fifth-degree felony aggravated possession of drugs and misdemeanor possession of drugs, with sentencing set for Sept. 21. On May 1, 2025 Barbero tampered with evidence and possessed bromazolam and testosterone.

-- Brian J. Hebb, 52, McCalla Street, East Palestine, pleaded guilty to possession of cocaine, a fourth-degree felony, and aggravated possession of drugs, a third-degree felony, with sentencing set for Sept. 25. Hebb possessed cocaine and psilocyn on June 28, 2023.

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