Multiple individuals charged in relation to alleged theft of firearms from Amelia American Legion
The Clermont County Sheriff's Office announced charges Friday against five different individuals accused of taking ceremonial firearms from a veterans organization.
On Sept. 25, 2023 at 1:18 p.m., the Clermont County Sheriff Road Patrol Deputies were dispatched for a theft report at the Amelia American Legion Post 773.
Deputies made contact with Shawn Griffith, the Legion Commander at the time, who told deputies a theft from the Legion had allegedly occurred, including numerous “M-1 Garand” inoperable ceremonial rifles that had allegedly been stolen from a safe within the building. The Clermont County Sheriff’s Office Investigative Unit was contacted, and the detectives immediately opened an investigation into the theft.
Detectives allege that Griffith, Samuel Willman, Justin Tuttle, Sarah Stouder and Jessica Caudill were involved the theft. It is alleged that the stolen firearms were being stored at a self-storage facility while the involved subjects were attempting to sell them.
On Nov. 7, Clermont County detectives executed two search warrants: one at a residence in the 4200 block of state Route 133 of Williamsburg Township, where Caudill was living, and another in the 30 block of Heather Street in Goshen Township, where Willman was living.
During those searches, electronic devices were seized, and three of the stolen rifles and ammunition were allegedly recovered. Subsequent searches of the seized electronic devices by detectives allegedly revealed communication among all individuals involved about the theft and sales of the ceremonial rifles.
On Feb. 6, the entire investigation was presented to a Clermont County grand jury, where indictments were issued on Tuttle, 36, Stouder, 36, Willman, 28, and Caudill, 33, for eight counts of receiving stolen property, all felonies of the fourth degree.
Willman was additionally indicted for eight counts of having weapons under disability, all felonies of the third degree.
On Feb. 29, Griffith, 53, was indicted for eight counts of grand theft, all felonies of the third degree.
An indictment is merely a charge and is not evidence of guilt.
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