Highland County grand jury indicts 12 in November session
A dozen individuals were indicted in the Nov. 7. Highland County grand jury session, including a Reynoldsburg man indicted on three counts.
Sheridon D. Riffle, 22, was charged with burglary, a second-degree felony; safecracking, a fourth-degree felony; and theft, a fifth-degree felony.
According to the indictment, it is alleged that on or about May 11, Riffle “did by force, stealth or deception knowingly trespass in an occupied structure … with purpose to commit a criminal offense” when a victim was “present or likely to be present.” On the same date, he is charged with “knowingly entering, forcing an entrance into or tampering with a vault, safe or strongbox.”
It is alleged that Riffle obtained or exerted control over paperwork, money, jewelry and other miscellaneous items owned by the victim, valued between $1,000 and $7,500.
In other unrelated indictments:
• Jason R. Creager, 40, of Hillsboro was charged with strangulation, a fourth-degree felony; and domestic violence, a first-degree misdemeanor. He is charged with “causing or creating a substantial risk of physical harm” to a victim “by means of strangulation or suffocation.”
• James E. Louthan, 33, of Cincinnati was charged with receiving stolen property, a fourth-degree felony. It is alleged that Louthan “did receive, retain or dispose of” a 2022 truck in Highland County in June.
• Thomas J. Cordes, 37, of Williamsburg and John L. Falgner III, 41, of Lynchburg were jointly charged with one count each of breaking and entering and theft from a person in a protected class, both fifth-degree felonies. It is alleged than in August, Cordes and Falgner trespassed on a victim’s property. It is also alleged that they took property, including tools, oil and hydraulic fluid jugs, a BB gun, welding torches, a scooter and other items, from an elderly victim.
• LeDonna Adcox, 28, and Terry Pigg, 40, both of New Vienna, were charged jointly with one count each of aggravated possession of methamphetamine and possession of a fentanyl-related compound, both fifth-degree felonies.
• Gary E. Seitz, 32, of Greenfield was charged with possession of a fentanyl-related compound, a fifth-degree felony.
• Allen W. Shoemaker, 65, of Hillsboro was charged with violating a protection order or consent agreement, a fifth-degree felony.
In addition to the above indictments, there were three sealed cases, according to Highland County Prosecutor Anneka Collins.
An indictment is merely a charge and is not evidence of guilt.