Grand jury returns 10 indictments in Carroll County cases

Multiple charges involving drugs, strangulation and sexual battery offenses were contained in the 10 indictments returned Jan. 7 by the Carroll County Grand Jury.

According to Carroll County Prosecuting Attorney Steven D. Barnett, the grand jury heard testimony from 12 witnesses involving 10 cases, all of which were returned as indictments during the one-day session.

Barnett said indictments were returned against the following:

— Heather M. Watson, 39, of 9072 Panama Drive, Malvern, indicted on one count of aggravated possession of drugs, a fifth-degree felony. Barnett said Carroll County Sheriff’s deputies found about 1 gram of methamphetamine in Watson’s vehicle after she was stopped Dec. 9 for a traffic violation in Malvern.

— Dylan J. Sexton, 30, of 1172 Pebble Road, Carrollton, indicted on one count of strangulation, a fifth-degree felony, and one count of domestic violence, a first-degree misdemeanor. Barnett said Sexton assaulted a woman with whom he lived by grabbing her around the throat and shoving her into furniture during a Dec. 13 domestic dispute at their Malvern-area residence.

— Christina M. Southers, 49, of 770 Jones Ave., Lot BB, Carrollton, indicted on one count of possession of heroin, a fifth-degree felony, and one count of possession of drugs, a first-degree misdemeanor. Barnett said deputies found methamphetamine in a container inside Southers’ vehicle after a Dec. 20 traffic stop on Alliance Road. Buprenorphine strips, for which Southers did not have a prescription, were also found during a search of her vehicle.

— Melissa L. McCulley, 44, of 11250 Blossom Road NE, Salineville, indicted on one count of aggravated possession of drugs, a fifth-degree felony, and one count of possession of drugs, a first-degree misdemeanor. Barnett said deputies found methamphetamine on McCulley and buprenorphine strips in her wallet after a Dec. 25 traffic stop in Fox Township. McCulley did not have a prescription for buprenorphine, Barnett said.

— John D. Hafner, 47, of 8687 Elmfort Ave., Waynesburg, indicted on one count of aggravated possession of drugs, one count of possession of marijuana and one count of escape, all third-degree felonies; one count of receiving stolen property, a fourth-degree felony; and one count of operating a motor vehicle bearing an invalid license plate or identification mark, a fourth-degree misdemeanor. Barnett said deputies stopped a 1999 Freightliner motor home operated by Hafner for a traffic violation Dec. 19 in Minerva and discovered the vehicle had been reported stolen from Tuscarawas County. During a search, deputies found about 1,180 grams of marijuana and 54 grams of psilocybin mushrooms. After Hafner was taken to jail, deputies found a split metal key ring on the floor of the cruiser, and in-car camera footage later showed Hafner attempted to break detention by picking the locks on his handcuffs, the prosecutor said.

— Daymon M. Helmick, 51, of 3833 Dueber Ave. SW, Canton, indicted on one count of having weapons while under disability, a third-degree felony, and one count of possession of marijuana and one count of operating a motor vehicle bearing an invalid license plate or identification mark, both fourth-degree misdemeanors. Barnett said Helmick was stopped Dec. 20 in Malvern when the vehicle’s license plate did not match the vehicle. Deputies found a loaded 9 mm pistol on Helmick. Barnett said Helmick was previously convicted in Stark County of a felony drug offense that prohibited him from possessing a firearm. About 126 grams of marijuana were also found in the vehicle.

— Devin D. Wright, 23, of 336 E. Liberty St., Coshocton, indicted on one count of improperly handling firearms in a motor vehicle, a fifth-degree felony; two counts of improperly handling firearms in a motor vehicle, both fourth-degree misdemeanors; one count of using weapons while intoxicated, a first-degree misdemeanor; and two counts of driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, both first-degree misdemeanors. Barnett said while investigating a reckless driver complaint Dec. 13 on state Route 542, deputies found Wright’s vehicle disabled in the roadway. Deputies determined Wright was under the influence of alcohol, and a search found a loaded 9 mm pistol in the armrest, a loaded 12-gauge shotgun and an unloaded Bushmaster rifle.

— Joshua T. Brady, 48, of 100 Weimer St., Minerva, indicted on two counts of sexual battery, one a second-degree felony and one a third-degree felony; one count of unlawful sexual conduct with a minor, a fourth-degree felony; one count of pandering sexually oriented matter involving a minor, a fourth-degree felony; one count of disseminating matter harmful to juveniles, a fifth-degree felony; 17 counts of pandering obscenity involving a minor, all fourth-degree felonies; and one count of grooming, a fifth-degree felony. Barnett said Brady engaged in a sexual relationship with his 15-year-old stepdaughter and possessed numerous nude photos of her stored electronically between May 2024 and August 2025.

— Andrea L. Gibson, 48, of 1765 Market St., Youngstown, indicted on one count of possession of cocaine, a fifth-degree felony, and one count of possession of drugs, a first-degree misdemeanor. Barnett said deputies found Suboxone on Gibson during a Dec. 28 encounter at the Malvern park. After she was transported to jail, about 4 grams of cocaine were found in the backseat of the sheriff’s cruiser, the prosecutor said.

— Scott A. Jones, 53, of 1631 34th St. NE, Canton, indicted on one count of aggravated possession of drugs, a second-degree felony, and one count of driving under suspension, a first-degree misdemeanor. Barnett said Jones was stopped Dec. 27 for a traffic violation on Alliance Road in Brown Township. After a K-9 search, deputies found about 16 grams of methamphetamine inside a leather bag. Deputies also determined Jones’ driver’s license was suspended, Barnett said.

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

Arraignments for those indicted will be held Thursday, Jan. 22, beginning at 8:30 a.m. before Carroll County Common Pleas Court Judge Michael V. Repella II.