Highland County Task Force investigation yields multiple indictments, arrests in February grand jury session

A Highland County grand jury handed down 30 indictments during their Tuesday, Feb. 6 session, while members of the Highland County Task Force executed search warrants and made several arrests Feb. 5.

The latest arrests come as part of “Operation Fetty Stop,” which is the ongoing work of the Highland County Task Force and all county law enforcement agencies to stop the trafficking and use of fentanyl in Highland County. 

This month’s indictments resulted in the arrests of individuals in the Hillsboro, Greenfield and Rocky Fork Lake areas. Highland County Task Force, Highland County Sheriff’s Office, Hillsboro Police Department and Greenfield Police Department officers assisted in the Feb. 5 roundup (held the day before the grand jury session).

Nineteen of the 30 indictments Feb. 6 were a result of Highland County Task Force investigations, according to Highland County Prosecutor Anneka Collins. Several suspects have been arrested and placed in either the Highland County Justice Center or Greenfield Jail, while others are incarcerated elsewhere, Collins said.

Suspected fentanyl and/or narcotics were also allegedly discovered during the execution of search warrants Monday, according to Collins.

The Highland County Task Force has a Facebook page and takes anonymous and confidential tips regarding substance abuse and trafficking in Highland County. You can also provide information directly to a member of the Task Force by calling the Highland County Prosecutor’s Office at (937) 393-1851.  

Below is a list of this month’s indictments, with Task Force cases noted.

• Tara Ralph, no age listed, of Greenfield, was charged in a 26-count indictment as one of the Task Force cases. Those charges include:

— Engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity, a first-degree felony; 

— 12 counts of possession of a fentanyl-related compound, one first-degree, two third-degree, eight fourth-degree and one fifth-degree felonies; 

— Seven counts of trafficking in a fentanyl-related compound, one first-degree felony, one third-degree felony and five fourth-degree felonies;

— Four counts of trafficking in a fentanyl-related compound in the vicinity of a juvenile, two second-degree and two third-degree felonies;

— One count of trafficking in a fentanyl-related compound in the vicinity of a school zone, a fourth-degree felony; and 

— One count of aggravated trafficking in methamphetamine, a fourth-degree felony.

The indictment alleges that between April and August, in Highland County “and as as continuing course of criminal conduct in Fayette County and Montgomery County, Ralph “did recklessly … conduct or participate in the affairs of an enterprise through a pattern of corrupt activity.”

During that time frame, Ralph is accused of “knowingly sell or offer to sell a fentanyl-related compound” in various weights on several separate dates, as well as meth, in one instance. For the other two first-degree felony charges, it is alleged that in July, Ralph “did knowingly obtain, possess or use,” and “did knowingly prepare for shipment, ship, transport, deliver, prepare for distribution or distribute a fentanyl-related compound … in an amount equal to or exceeding 20 grams but less than 50 grams.”

• Elizabeth A. Davis, 46, of Hillsboro was charged with  involuntary manslaughter, a first-degree felony; corrupting another with drugs, a second-degree felony; trafficking in heroin, a fifth-degree felony; and possession of a fentanyl-related compound, a fifth-degree felony.

Davis is accused of causing an individual’s death “as a proximate result of Davis committing or attempting to commit a felony, to wit: corrupting another with drugs and trafficking in heroin” last May. It is alleged that Davis “did knowingly by any means, administer or furnish to another or cause another to use [a fentanyl-related compound], and thereby cause serious physical harm to the other person, or cause the other person to become drug dependent.” 

On the same date, Davis is charged with allegedly “knowingly selling or offering to sell heroin.” Four days later, it is alleged that Davis “did knowingly obtain, possess or use … a fentanyl-related compound.”

• Harold Davis, 48, of Greenfield was charged with three counts of aggravated trafficking in methamphetamine in the vicinity of a school, all second-degree felonies; and three counts of aggravated possession of methamphetamine, all third-degree felonies (Task Force case). 

Davis is accused of “knowingly obtaining, possessing or using” meth in an amount equal to or exceeding bulk amount but less than five times bulk amount on two dates in April and one date in July 2023. He is accused of “knowingly selling or offering to sell” that amount of meth on the same dates, all in the vicinity of a school zone.

• Larry Lee Morris, 53, of Hillsboro was charged with three counts of aggravated trafficking in methamphetamine and three counts of aggravated possession of methamphetamine, all third-degree felonies (Task Force case).

All six charges were for several dates in August 2023, where Morris is alleged to have “knowingly obtained, possessed or used,” and “knowingly sold or offered to sell,” meth in an amount equal to or exceeding bulk amount but less than five times bulk amount. 

• Steven Willett, 57, was charged with three counts of aggravated trafficking in methamphetamine, a third-degree felony; three counts of aggravated possession of methamphetamine, a third-degree felony; one count of trafficking in a fentanyl-related compound, a fourth-degree felony; and one count of possession of a fentanyl-related compound, a fifth-degree felony (Task Force case).

The indictment alleges that on three consecutive days in March 2023, Willett “did knowingly obtain, possess or use,” and “did knowingly sell or offer to sell,” meth “in an amount equal to or exceeding bulk amount but less than five times bulk amount.” In April 2023, it is alleged that Willett “did knowingly obtain, possess or use” a fentanyl-related compound, and that he “did knowingly sell or offer to sell” a fentanyl-related compound in an amount equal to or exceeding one gram but less than five grams.

• Tammy Miller, 60, and Michael Kingsolver, 22, both of Greenfield, were charged in a joint indictment (Task Force case). Miller was charged with aggravated trafficking in methamphetamine, a third-degree felony; and a forfeiture specification. Both defendants were charged with aggravated possession of methamphetamine, a third-degree felony.

It is alleged that on or about Dec. 15, Miller “did knowingly prepare for shipment, ship, transport, deliver, prepare for distribution or distribute meth … in an amount equal to or exceeding bulk amount but less than five times bulk amount” while “knowing or having reasonable cause to believe the controlled substance was intended for sale or resale by the offender or another person.” A vehicle that Miller allegedly used to “transport meth from Dayton to Greenfield” is subject to forfeiture.

On the same date, Miller and Kingsolver are accused of “knowingly obtaining, possessing or using meth … in an amount equal to or exceeding bulk amount but less than five times bulk amount.”

• Quinnesha Dixson, no age listed, of Washington Court House was charged with aggravated possession of drugs, a third-degree felony; and theft of drugs, a fourth-degree felony.

It is alleged that Dixson “did … knowingly obtain or exert control over” hydrocodone pills without the owner’s consent in July. On the same date, it is alleged that Dixson “did knowingly obtain, possess or use” acetaminophen/oxycodone in an amount equal to or exceeding bulk amount but less than five times bulk amount.

• Damian R. Calhoun, 36, of Greenfield, was charged with having weapons while under disability, a third-degree felony; and a forfeiture specification.

It is alleged that on or about Dec. 21, Calhoun “did knowingly acquire, have, carry or use a firearm or dangerous ordnance.” Calhoun has “not been relieved from disability” due to a previous conviction of burglary in Missouri, the indictment alleges. The weapon is subject to forfeiture.

• Trenton R. Hibbs, 25, of Hillsboro was charged with unlawful sexual conduct with a minor, a third-degree felony. It is alleged that in October, Hibbs “did knowingly engage in sexual conduct’ with a minor while “knowing” the victim’s age “or being reckless in that regard.”

• Aaron Smith, 39, of Greenfield was charged with three counts of trafficking in heroin, all fourth-degree felonies; and three counts of possession of a fentanyl-related compound, two fourth-degree felonies and one fifth-degree felony (Task Force case).

The charges stem from alleged incidents in March and April 2023, where it is alleged that Smith “did knowingly obtain, possess or use,” and “did knowingly sell or offer to sell,” heroin in an amount equal to or exceeding one gram but less than five grams. It is also alleged that Smith “did knowingly obtain, possess or use” a fentanyl-related compound in an amount equal to or exceeding one gram but less than five grams.

• Stuart Maclaughlin, 27, of Glenwood Springs, Colo., was charged with two counts of menacing by stalking, both fourth-degree felonies; assault on a peace officer, a fourth-degree felony; breaking & entering, a fifth-degree felony; and a forfeiture specification. 

It is alleged that between May and December 2023, Maclaughlin “did, by engaging in a pattern of conduct, knowingly cause [a victim] to believe that [Maclaughlin] will cause physical harm to [the victim] or a family or household member of [the victim] or cause mental distress to [the victim] or a family or household member of [the victim].” For one of the menacing counts, it is alleged that Maclaughlin “trespassed on the land or premises where [the victim] lives, is employed or attends school.” For the other count, it was alleged that Maclaughlin “had a deadly weapon on or about his person or control.”

It is further alleged that in December 2023, Maclaughlin “did knowingly cause or attempt to cause physical harm to” a separate victim, who is “a peace officer.” Also in December, he is accused of “knowingly trespassing in a detached garage … with purpose to commit therein a theft offense.”

Two weapons allegedly in Maclaughlin’s possession are subject to forfeiture.

• Kaylee George, 22, and Levi George, 20, both of Highland, were charged jointly with two counts of trafficking in marijuana, both fourth-degree felonies, and two counts of possession of marijuana, both fifth-degree felonies (Task Force case).

On two separate occasions in March 2023, it is alleged that they “did knowingly obtain, possession or use,” and “did knowingly sell or offer to sell,” marijuana in an amount equal to or exceeding 200 grams but less than 1,000 grams.

• Sheridan Riffle, 22, of Reynoldsburg was charged in a Highland County Task Force case and a separate indictment.

In the Task Force case, Riffle is charged with trafficking in a fentanyl-related compound in the vicinity of a school zone, a fourth-degree felony; trafficking in a fentanyl-related compound, a fifth-degree felony; and two counts of possession of a fentanyl-related compound, both fifth-degree felonies.

It is alleged that on two separate dates in May 2023, Riffle “did knowingly sell or offer to sell,” and “did knowingly obtain, possess or use,” a fentanyl-related compound.

In a second case, Riffle was charged with breaking and entering, a fifth-degree felony; and theft, a first-degree misdemeanor. 

• Ernest Jones, 59, of Hillsboro was charged with aggravated trafficking in methamphetamine, a fourth-degree felony; and aggravated possession of methamphetamine, a fifth-degree felony (Task Force case). The alleged incidents were from September 2023.

• Justin Stevens, 44, of Greenfield was charged with trafficking in a fentanyl-related compound, a fourth-degree felony; and possession of a fentanyl-related compound, a fifth-degree felony (Task Force case). It is alleged that in July Stevens “did knowingly obtain, possess or use” a fentanyl-related compound and “did knowingly sell or offer to sell” a fentanyl-related compound in an amount equal to or exceeding one gram but less than five grams.

• Steven Kingsolver, 42, of Greenfield and Jennifer Harrah, 39, of Scottown were charged in a joint indictment with counterfeiting, a fourth-degree felony (Kingsolver two counts, Harrah one); and theft by deception, a first-degree misdemeanor (Kingsolver two counts, Harrah one). 

Kingsolver and Harrah are accused of “passing, uttering, selling, purchasing, concealing or transferring any counterfeit obligation or other security of the United States” in August 2023, while Kingsolver is accused of the same offense in December. Also in August, it is accused that they “did knowingly obtain or exert control over $500 in U.S. currency from a Highland County business. 

Kingsolver is separately charged with knowingly “obtaining or exerting control over two pizzas, by deception” from a Highland County business in December.

• Elbert King Jr., 62, of Columbus, was charged with forgery, a fifth-degree felony. It is alleged that on or about Oct. 24, King “did, with the purpose to defraud, or knowing that he was facilitating a fraud, utter or possess with purpose to utter [a check] … knowing it to have been forged.” 

• Branden Williams, 30, of Cincinnati was charged with theft, a fifth-degree felony. Williams is accused of “knowingly obtaining or exerting control over … 30 rolls of copper wire and other miscellaneous items” valued between $1,000 and $7,500 with the owner’s consent last December.

• Falena Harrison, 41, of Greenfield was charged with aggravated possession of drugs, a fifth-degree felony.

In addition to the above-listed cases, there were also seven sealed indictments, according to Collins.

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