Skip to main content

2 Highland County men indicted on rape charges in May grand jury session

By
Caitlin Forsha, The Highland County Press

Two men charged in unrelated alleged rape cases were among the dozen individuals indicted by a Highland County grand jury Tuesday, May 5.

James F. Gragg, 43, of Hillsboro was indicted on three counts of rape, all first-degree felonies. For all three counts, Gragg is accused of “engaging in sexual conduct” with a victim under the age of 13. Each count is for a separate approximate one-year time span where the incident(s) are alleged to have occurred.

An unrelated indictment saw Donald T. Neel III, 37, of Greenfield charged with one count of rape, a first-degree felony. The indictment alleges that Neel “purposely compelled” the victim “to submit by force or threat of force.”

In other indictments:

• Bryson L. Rickman, 27, of Washington Court House was charged with one count each of failure to comply with the order or signal of a police officer and tampering with evidence, both third-degree felonies.

It is alleged that on or about March 8, Rickman “did operate a motor vehicle … so as willfully to elude or flee a police officer after receiving a visible or audible signal from a police officer to bring [his] motor vehicle to a stop.” It is alleged that “the operation of the motor vehicle by the offender caused a substantial risk of serious physical harm to persons or property.” On the same date, it is alleged that Rickman “did alter, destroy, conceal or remove a thing with the purpose to impair its value or availability as evidence in [a] proceeding or investigation.”

• Anna M. Freibert, 37, of Hamilton was charged with possession of LSD, a fourth-degree felony; and aggravated possession of methamphetamine, a fifth-degree felony.

• Jason L. Huffer, 40, of Greenfield was charged with aggravated possession of methamphetamine, a fifth-degree felony; and possession of drugs, a fifth-degree felony.

• Nicki L. Lilly, 56, of Hillsboro was charged with aggravated possession of methamphetamine, a fifth-degree felony.

• Amanda M. Maines, 43, of Martinsville was charged with one count of aggravated possession of methamphetamine, a fifth-degree felony.

• Amy M. Rickman, 40, of Leesburg was charged with aggravated possession of methamphetamine, a fifth-degree felony.

In addition, there were four indictments that were sealed, or made secret, after today’s session, according to Highland County Prosecutor Anneka Collins.

An indictment is merely a charge and is not evidence of guilt.

Publisher's note: A free press is critical to having well-informed voters and citizens. While some news organizations opt for paid websites or costly paywalls, The Highland County Press has maintained a free newspaper and website for the last 28 years for our community. If you would like to contribute to this service, it would be greatly appreciated. Donations may be made to: The Highland County Press, P.O. Box 849, Hillsboro, Ohio 45133. Please include "for website" on the memo line.