Carroll Grand Jury returns indictments

Seven indictments were returned by the Carroll County grand jury during a half-day session May 6, according to Carroll County Prosecuting Attorney Steven D. Barnett.

Jury members heard testimony from eight witnesses involving seven cases, all of which were returned as indictments.

Indictments were returned against the following:

— Keith S. Smith, 56, of 1212 Maryland Ave. SW, Canton, and Michael P. Craven, 54, of 8106 Windward Trace Circle NW, Massillon, were each indicted on drug charges.

Smith was indicted on one count of tampering with evidence, a third-degree felony, and one count of possession of cocaine, a fifth-degree felony.

Craven was indicted on one count of illegal conveyance of drugs of abuse onto the grounds of a detention facility, a third-degree felony; one count of aggravated possession of drugs, a fifth-degree felony; and one count of driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, a first-degree misdemeanor.

The prosecutor said cocaine belonging to Smith was found in a vehicle after an April 4 traffic stop in Brown Township. The cocaine was crushed in an attempt to conceal it, Barnett said.

Craven, who failed field sobriety testing, was arrested for driving under the influence. After being taken to the county jail, deputies found a pill bottle containing methamphetamine hidden in his clothing.

— Thomas A. Reid, 27, of 5010 Green Drive, Malvern, was indicted on one count of strangulation, a fourth-degree felony, and one count of domestic violence, a first-degree misdemeanor.

According to the prosecutor, Reid choked his wife during an April 6 domestic dispute at their Malvern residence.

— Nathaniel J. Ritter, 38, of 6040 Dana Road SW, Sherrodsville, was indicted on one count of aggravated possession of drugs, a fifth-degree felony, and one count of possessing drug abuse instruments, a second-degree misdemeanor.

While arresting Ritter April 2 on an outstanding warrant, several syringes were found on his person. When sheriff’s deputies retrieved his wallet, a small bag of methamphetamine was found, the prosecutor reported.

— Susan M. Sears, 50, of 3491 Indian Run Ave. SE, East Canton, was indicted on one count of aggravated possession of drugs, a second-degree felony; one count of possessing drug abuse instruments, a second-degree misdemeanor; and one count of drug paraphernalia offenses, a fourth-degree misdemeanor.

Following a traffic stop April 4 on state Route 183, sheriff’s deputies found a backpack containing nearly 20 grams of methamphetamine, syringes used to administer the drug and pipes used to smoke it after a consent search of Sears’ vehicle.

— James D. Pope Jr., 53, of 3070 Scio Road SW, Carrollton, was indicted on one count of improperly handling firearms in a motor vehicle, a fourth-degree felony; one count of resisting arrest, a second-degree misdemeanor; one count of drug paraphernalia offenses, a fourth-degree misdemeanor; one count of criminal trespass, a fourth-degree misdemeanor; and one count of failure to disclose personal information, a fourth-degree misdemeanor.

According to the prosecutor, Carroll County sheriff’s deputies stopped Pope’s suspicious vehicle April 13 after it pulled into a driveway where the property owners indicated neither the vehicle nor Pope had permission to be there.

During the encounter, Pope failed to identify himself and resisted arrest while being taken into custody. Deputies later determined Pope did not have a valid driver’s license, and a loaded .22-caliber pistol was found in his vehicle.

— Noah P. Lanham, 28, of 9052 Magnet Road NE, Minerva, was indicted on one count of kidnapping, a second-degree felony; one count of strangulation, a third-degree felony; and one count of domestic violence, a first-degree misdemeanor.

Lanham allegedly assaulted, strangled and duct-taped a woman who resided with him. During the April 9 altercation, Lanham later released the woman, who was able to contact law enforcement. Lanham was taken into custody at his place of employment without incident, Barnett said. He remains in the Carroll County Jail on a $500,000 cash or surety bond.

Prosecutor 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.

Arraignments for those indicted are scheduled for Thursday, May 21, beginning at 8:30 a.m. before Carroll County Common Pleas Court Judge Michael V. Repella II.