Carroll County grand jury indicts 8 on drug, theft and domestic violence charges

Eight indictments were returned by the Carroll County grand jury during a half-day session Sept. 3.

According to Carroll County Prosecutor Steven D. Barnett, the grand jury heard testimony from nine witnesses involving the eight cases.

Barnett said indictments were returned against the following:

— Erica L. McLaughlin, 46, of 14000 Lincoln St., Minerva, was indicted on one count of aggravated possession of drugs, a fifth-degree felony; one count of possession of dangerous drugs, a first-degree misdemeanor; and one count of drug paraphernalia offenses, a fourth-degree misdemeanor. Barnett said Minerva police officers found methamphetamine and 19 Diclofenac pills in a pouch inside McLaughlin’s purse during an Aug. 15, 2025, traffic stop on S. Market St. McLaughlin had no prescription for the Diclofenac pills. Cut straws and a spoon used to administer methamphetamine were also found in the pouch, the prosecutor noted.

— David B. Neff, 66, of 860 Grand Blvd., Minerva, one count of domestic violence, a fifth-degree felony. Neff attempted to strike his daughter during a verbal disagreement Aug. 6 at his residence. The daughter was pregnant at the time of the incident.

— James D. Moffett, 61, of 5431 Whinnery Road, Hanoverton, one count of aggravated possession of drugs, a third-degree felony. Carroll County sheriff’s deputies found approximately 13 grams of methamphetamine in a pill container in Moffett’s pocket during an Aug. 9 traffic stop on Roswell Road near Dellroy.

— Robert L. Lewis, 30, of 273 Second St. NW, Apt. A, Carrollton, one count of aggravated possession of drugs, a fifth-degree felony; and one count of possession of drugs, a first-degree misdemeanor. Carroll County sheriff’s deputies found methamphetamine in Lewis’s wallet during an Aug. 8 traffic stop in Carrollton. Deputies also found Suboxone that was not prescribed to Lewis.

— Jesica L. Lockhart, 42, of 137 Bacon Road, Carrollton, one count of counterfeiting, a fourth-degree felony; and one count of theft, a first-degree misdemeanor. While working July 26 at a Dellroy-area business, Lockhart substituted a counterfeit $100 bill in the cash register knowing it to be false legal tender. During the investigation, it was also discovered Lockhart allegedly took various items from the store without paying for them.

— Cyteria D. Randalson, 35, of 209 Second St., Bergholz, one count of aggravated possession of drugs, a fifth-degree felony; and one count of drug paraphernalia offenses, a fourth-degree misdemeanor. Carroll County sheriff’s deputies found methamphetamine in a container inside the vehicle she was driving while stopped for a traffic violation Aug. 25 on Canton Road near Carrollton. A glass pipe used to smoke methamphetamine was also found in the container.

— Kase K. Plunket, 35, of 104 Josh Lane NW, Carrollton, one count of aggravated possession of drugs, a fifth-degree felony; one count of possession of drugs, a first-degree misdemeanor; and one count of drug paraphernalia offenses, a fourth-degree misdemeanor. Carroll County sheriff’s deputies found methamphetamine on Plunket’s person during an April 16 traffic stop on Alliance Road near Minerva. Clonazepam, a digital scale and baggies were also found in the vehicle.

— Jalizzea R. Sexton, 28, of 316 Jacquette St., Bridgeport, one count of aggravated possession of drugs, a fifth-degree felony; and one count of drug paraphernalia offenses, a fourth-degree misdemeanor. According to the prosecutor, methamphetamine was observed in Sexton’s purse while she was looking for her identification during an Aug. 22 traffic stop on state Route 43 near Bellflower Road. A glass pipe used to smoke methamphetamine was also found.

Barnett also said the grand jury heard testimony concerning the Carroll County Jail, as required by law, and in a written report filed with the clerk of courts noted no violations of applicable state laws and regulations.

Arraignment hearings are scheduled for Thursday, Sept. 18, beginning at 8:30 a.m. before Carroll County Common Pleas Court Judge Michael V. Repella II.