Marietta, Ohio — A grand jury in Washington County, convened on Wednesday, has handed down indictments against 24 individuals, facing an array of charges that ranged from drug-related offenses to domestic violence and felony assault. The legal actions underscore an ongoing crackdown on drug trafficking and violent crimes in the region.
Samantha Nicholle Miller, a 31-year-old resident of Parkersburg, was charged with aggravated possession of drugs, a fifth-degree felony, stemming from an incident in April. Similarly, Joseph Andrew Russ, 37, from Canton, faces multiple serious charges, including first-degree felony trafficking and possession of cocaine, as well as third-degree felony aggravated possession of drugs from events reported in July 2023.
Further indictments involved Charles Ray Mackey, 42, also from Parkersburg, who was charged with possession of a fentanyl-related compound, a third-degree felony from August 2023. In related drug enforcement actions, Jeremy Wade Carpenter, 39, of Marietta, was indicted for aggravated trafficking and possession of drugs, both third-degree felonies, and for operating a vehicle with a hidden compartment for transporting controlled substances, a fourth-degree felony, dating back to July 2023.
Domestic violence also featured prominently in the charges. David William Mowery, 53, from Fleming, faces charges of strangulation, disrupting public services, and domestic violence, each a fourth-degree felony, as of October. Another case involves Roger Aaron Adams Jr., 41, of Marietta, who similarly faces a fourth-degree felony charge for domestic violence from September.
Among the more severe charges, Joel Jerry Dotson, 46, of Cutler, and Michael Ryan Fortney, 28, of Belpre, were each indicted for felonious assault, a second-degree felony. Fortney is additionally charged with first-degree misdemeanor domestic violence and aggravated menacing.
The grand jury proceedings also highlighted instances of legal non-compliance, with Katherine Louise Bartimus, 43, of Vincent, charged with failure to appear as required, a fourth-degree felony from October. Meanwhile, Anthony C. Fulton, 36, currently in custody at Washington County Jail, faces third-degree felony charges for failure to comply with a police officer’s order and fourth-degree felony for receiving stolen property, from November.
Other cases included charges against individuals for lesser felonies, such as possession of drug paraphernalia and engaging in prostitution, shedding light on the variety of criminal activity handled by the local judicial system.
The string of indictments is part of broader efforts to combat crime in Washington County, signaling ongoing commitments by local authorities to uphold law and order through diligent legal processes.
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