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Cases of drug possession dominated Friday's session of the Ross County Grand Jury. Jurors were presented with a total of 16 cases. All 16 were returned as true bills with only 3 open.
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The first of those three is an indictment against Dolly M. Lansing, 48, of Bainbridge. Ms. Lansing has been charged with a single fourth-degree felony count of receiving stolen property, and a single fifth-degree felony charge of aggravated possession of drugs.
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According to the Ross County Prosecutor's Office, Ms. Lansing was originally arrested on March 13th after a State Highway Patrol Trooper witnessed a Chevrolet SUV blow through a stop sign at the intersection of Nipgen Road and State Route 772. The patrolman followed the vehicle, witnessing additional motoring violations, and soon conducted a traffic stop.
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The SUV pulled into a private drive off Potts Hill Road and stopped suddenly. The driver, identified as Ms. Lansing, exited the vehicle and attempted to flee on foot. Before giving chase, the trooper secured a passenger in the offending vehicle, while maintaining a line-of-sight, due to the flat terrain, on the fleeing Ms. Lansing.
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The state trooper witnessed Lansing reach into her waistband and toss an item onto the ground just before he was able to apprehend her and take her into custody.
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A search of the area resulted in the discovery of a small bag containing what turned out to be 1.095 grams of methamphetamine. Further investigation also revealed the SUV to have been reported stolen from the Leesburg Avenue Wal-Mart in Washington CH on February 25th.
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If convicted, Ms. Lansing could spend up to 18 months behind bars with a fine of $5,000 for the receiving stolen property charge, and up to 12 months with a fine of $2,500 for the meth.
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Antonio M. Russell, 24, of Columbus, has been charged with a single second-degree felony count of possession of heroin, and a single fourth-degree felony charge of possession of cocaine.
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Mr. Russell was originally charged on June 5th of 2018 when Chillicothe Police conducted a search warrant at a room of America's Best Value Inn on East Main Street.
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Officers found Mr. Russell inside the room and detained him while a search, ultimately resulting in the discovery of two bags of suspected drugs and set of digital scales, was conducted.The substances found later turned out to be 7.8 grams of cocaine, and a 20.81 gram mixture of heroin and fentanyl.
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If convicted, Mr. Russell could be sentenced to up to 8 years in prison with a $15,000 fine for the heroin possession, and up to 18 months with a $5,000 fine for possession of cocaine.
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Anthony L. Blankenship, 28, of Chillicothe, faces a single second-degree felony charge of aggravated possession of drugs.
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Mr. Blankenship was originally charged on March 8th when a plain-clothes on-duty detective witnessed a vehicle traveling ahead, 16 miles-per-hour over the posted speed limit, on State Route 159 near Kingston. The detective forwarded the observation on to the State Highway Patrol. A patrolman sitting at Young's Family Market in Kingston then witnessed the vehicle go by at 59 miles-per-hour in a 50 MPH zone and conducted a traffic stop.
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On approaching the driver's side of the vehicle, the trooper noticed the front seat passenger, identified as Mr. Blankenship, reaching down into his pants. After asking Mr. Blankenship to step out of the vehicle and performing a pat-down of Blankenship's person, the trooper felt an item concealed, which turned out the be 105.74 grams (3.7 oz.) of methamphetamine. A set of residue-coated scales were also located inside the vehicle.
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Mr. Blankenship faces up to 8 years incarceration and a fine of $15,000 if convicted.
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The next session of Ross County Grand Jury is scheduled for Friday, May 10th.