Meigs County Prosecuting Attorney James K. Stanley

06/10/2026

Appellate Cases Update

Ohio Fourth District of Appeals
State v. James Brannon. The case was submitted on the briefs. Awaiting decision.

State v. Andrew Halley. The case was submitted on the briefs. Awaiting decision.

State v. Dorothy Rogers. The case was submitted on the briefs. Defendant subsequently filed a motion to dismiss the appeal, which has not yet been granted.

State v. Timothy Wickersham. The case was submitted on the briefs. Awaiting decision.

Ohio Supreme Court
State v. Jaquan Hall. Defendant filed a notice of appeal and jurisdiction brief with the Ohio Supreme Court appealing the Ohio Fourth District’s denial of his application to reopen his appeal and his application for delayed reconsideration. Defendant also has a pending motion for production of the grand jury transcript. Awaiting the Ohio Supreme Court’s decision.

United States Supreme Court
State v. Jaquan Hall. Defendant filed a petition for a writ of certiorari with the United States Supreme Court, which was denied on May 18, 2026.

06/08/2026

April 2026 Grand Jury Returns Indictments

Meigs County Prosecuting Attorney James K. Stanley announces that on April 8, 2026, the Meigs County Grand Jury returned indictments against the following:

John Barnes, 59, of Gallipolis, Ohio, was indicted for Trafficking in Drugs (He**in), a felony of the fourth degree; Possession of Drugs (He**in), a felony of the fourth degree; Trafficking in Drugs (He**in), a felony of the fifth degree; Possession of Drugs (He**in), a felony of the fifth degree; Trafficking in Drugs (Fentanyl), a felony of the fourth degree; Possession of Drugs (Fentanyl), a felony of the fourth degree; Trafficking in Drugs (Fentanyl), a felony of the fifth degree; and Possession of Drugs (Fentanyl), a felony of the fifth degree. The Meigs County Sheriff’s Office and the Major Crimes Task Force investigated this matter.

Troy Barrett, 40, of Pomeroy, Ohio, was indicted for Failure to Notify Change of Address, a felony of the first degree. The Meigs County Sheriff’s Office investigated this matter.

Brad Branham, 27, of Pomeroy, Ohio, was indicted for Failure to Register, a felony of the fourth degree. The Meigs County Sheriff’s Office investigated this matter.

Jessica Canterbury, 28, of Middleport, Ohio, was indicted for Possession of Drugs (Fentanyl), a felony of the fifth degree; Possession of Drugs (Methylfentanyl), a felony of the fifth degree; and Possession of Drugs (Methamphetamine), a felony of the fifth degree. The Ohio State Highway Patrol investigated this matter.

Matthew Fisher, 25, of Middleport, Ohio, was indicted for R**e, a felony of the first degree. The Meigs County Sheriff’s Office investigated this matter.

Chloe King, 20, of Middleport, Ohio, was indicted for two counts of Obstructing Justice, each a felony of the fifth degree. The Meigs County Sheriff’s Office investigated this matter.

Mindy Lewis, 49, of Middletown, Ohio, was indicted for Domestic Violence, a felony of the fourth degree, Disrupting Public Services, a felony of the fourth degree, and Unlawful Restraint, a misdemeanor of the third degree. The Meigs County Sheriff’s Office investigated this matter.

Rachel Morley, 34, of Athens, Ohio, was indicted for Forgery, a felony of the fourth degree, and Theft, a felony of the fifth degree. The Meigs County Sheriff’s Office investigated this matter.

Donald Patton, 20, of Pomeroy, Ohio, was indicted for R**e, a felony of the first degree. The Meigs County Sheriff’s Office and the Meigs County Department of Job and Family Services, Children Services, investigated this matter.

Melissa Pauley, 42, of Rutland, Ohio, was indicted for Possession of Drugs (Methamphetamine), a felony of the fifth degree, and Tampering with Evidence, a felony of the third degree. The Ohio State Highway Patrol investigated this matter.

Kayla Pullins, 43, of Racine, Ohio, was indicted for Possession of Drugs (Fentanyl), a felony of the fifth degree, and Operating a Motor Vehicle While Under the Influence of Alcohol or Drugs, a misdemeanor of the first degree. The Ohio State Highway Patrol investigated this matter.

Brandon Smith, 44, of Pomeroy, Ohio, was indicted for Trafficking in Drugs (Methamphetamine), a felony of the third degree, and Possession of Drugs (Methamphetamine), a felony of the third degree. The Meigs County Sheriff’s Office and the Major Crimes Task Force investigated this matter.

Felisha Stumbo, 40, of Pomeroy, Ohio, was indicted for Possession of Drugs (Methamphetamine), a felony of the fifth degree, Operating a Motor Vehicle While Under the Influence of Alcohol or Drugs, a misdemeanor of the first degree, and Tampering with Evidence, a felony of the third degree. The Ohio State Highway Patrol investigated this matter.

Martha Whitley, 64, of Pomeroy, Ohio, was indicted for Possession of Drugs (Oxycodone), a felony of the fifth degree. The Ohio State Highway Patrol investigated this matter.

All cases will proceed in Meigs County Court of Common Pleas.

Possible penalties for first and second degree felonies committed on or after March 22, 2019 include: felonies of the first degree- a minimum sentence of 3 to11 years in prison with an indefinite maximum sentence of up to 16.5 years in prison and up to a $20,000 fine; felonies of the second degree- a minimum sentence of 2 to 8 years in prison with an indefinite maximum sentence of up to 12 years in prison and up to a $15,000 fine. Possible penalties for felonies of the third, fourth, and fifth degree include: felonies of the third degree- 9 to 36 months in prison and up to a $10,000 fine; felonies of the fourth degree- 6 to 18 months in prison and up to a $5,000 fine; felonies of the fifth degree- 6 to 12 months in prison and up to a $2,500 fine. For most felonies of the fourth and fifth degrees, sentencing guidelines found in the Ohio Revised Code require first-time offenders to be sentenced to community control unless certain conditions exist permitting the imposition of a prison sentence.

All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

06/08/2026

May 2026 Grand Jury Returns Indictments

Meigs County Prosecuting Attorney James K. Stanley announces that on May 6, 2026, the Meigs County Grand Jury returned indictments against the following:

Stephanie Fulton, 35, of Racine, Ohio was indicted for Trafficking in Drugs (Fentanyl), a felony of the fourth degree; Possession of Drugs (Fentanyl), a felony of the fourth degree; Trafficking in Drugs (Para-fluorofentanyl), a felony of the fourth degree; Possession of Drugs (Para-fluorofentanyl), a felony of the fifth degree; Trafficking in Drugs (Co***ne), e felony of the fifth degree; Possession of Drugs (Co***ne), a felony of the fifth degree; Trafficking in Drugs (Fentanyl), a felony of the fourth degree; Possession of Drugs (Fentanyl), a felony of the fourth degree; Trafficking in Drugs (Para-fluorofentanyl), a felony of the fourth degree; Possession of Drugs (Para-fluorofentanyl), a felony of the fifth degree; Trafficking in Drugs (Methamphetamine), a felony of the fourth degree; and Possession of Drugs (Methamphetamine), a felony of the fifth degree. The Meigs County Sheriff’s Office and the Major Crimes Task Force investigated this matter.

Brandon Goodwain, 43, of Pomeroy, Ohio, was indicted for Possession of Drugs (Methamphetamine), a felony of the fifth degree. The Ohio State Highway Patrol investigated this matter.

Margaret Hall, 42, of Racine, Ohio, was indicted for Possession of Drugs (Methamphetamine), a felony of the second degree, and Possession of Drugs (Methamphetamine), a felony of the fifth degree. The Meigs County Sheriff’s Office and the Major Crimes Task Force investigated this matter.

Kevin Harris, 44, of Middleport, Ohio, was indicted for Trafficking in Drugs (Fentanyl), a felony of the fourth degree; Possession of Drugs (Fentanyl), a felony of the fourth degree; Trafficking in Drugs (He**in), a felony of the fourth degree; and Possession of Drugs (He**in), a felony of the fourth degree. The Meigs County Sheriff’s Office and the Major Crimes Task Force investigated this matter.

Woodrow Richards, Jr., 48, of Racine, Ohio, was indicted for five counts of Pandering Obscenity Involving a Minor or Impaired Person, each a felony of the second degree.

Richards was separately indicted for Possession of Drugs (Methamphetamine), a felony of the second degree, and Possession of Drugs (Methamphetamine), a felony of the fifth degree. The Meigs County Sheriff’s Office and the Major Crimes Task Force investigated both of these matters.

Nathan Roberts, 32, of Racine, Ohio, was indicted for Intimidation of a Witness, a felony of the third degree, and Menacing, a misdemeanor of the fourth degree. The Pomeroy Police Department investigated this matter.

Dominic Skelton, 37, of Columbus, Ohio, was indicted for Possession of Drugs (Fentanyl), a felony of the fifth degree. The Ohio State Highway Patrol investigated this matter.

All cases will proceed in Meigs County Court of Common Pleas.

Possible penalties for first and second degree felonies committed on or after March 22, 2019 include: felonies of the first degree- a minimum sentence of 3 to11 years in prison with an indefinite maximum sentence of up to 16.5 years in prison and up to a $20,000 fine; felonies of the second degree- a minimum sentence of 2 to 8 years in prison with an indefinite maximum sentence of up to 12 years in prison and up to a $15,000 fine. Possible penalties for felonies of the third, fourth, and fifth degree include: felonies of the third degree- 9 to 36 months in prison and up to a $10,000 fine; felonies of the fourth degree- 6 to 18 months in prison and up to a $5,000 fine; felonies of the fifth degree- 6 to 12 months in prison and up to a $2,500 fine. For most felonies of the fourth and fifth degrees, sentencing guidelines found in the Ohio Revised Code require first-time offenders to be sentenced to community control unless certain conditions exist permitting the imposition of a prison sentence.

All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

06/08/2026

June 2026 Grand Jury Returns Indictments

Meigs County Prosecuting Attorney James K. Stanley announces that on June 3, 2026, the Meigs County Grand Jury returned indictments against the following:

James Bergman, III, 54, of Cutler, Ohio, was indicted for one count of felonious assault, a felony of the second degree, and one count of domestic violence, a misdemeanor of the first degree. The Meigs County Sheriff’s Office investigated this matter.

Christopher Conley, 35, of Portland, Ohio, was indicted for one count of domestic violence, a misdemeanor of the first degree, and three counts of gross sexual imposition, each a felony of the third degree. The Meigs County Sheriff’s Office and the Meigs County Department of Job and Family Services, Children Services, investigated this matter.

William Fink, 37, of Chauncey, Ohio, was indicted for one count of pandering sexually oriented matter involving a minor, a felony of the fourth degree. The Meigs County Sheriff’s Office and the Major Crimes Task Force investigated this matter.

Jay Hunley, 44, of Vinton, Ohio, was indicted for one count of failure to comply with order or signal of a police officer, a felony of the third degree, one count of obstructing official business, a felony of the fifth degree, and one count of resisting arrest, a misdemeanor of the second degree. The Middleport Police Department investigated this matter.

Derek Mays, 44, of Reedsville, Ohio, was indicted for one count of having weapons while under disability, a felony of the third degree, and one count of tampering with evidence, a felony of the third degree. The Meigs County Sheriff’s Office investigated this matter.

Robert Thorla, 47, of Racine, Ohio, was indicted for two counts of possession of drugs, each a felony of the fifth degree. The Meigs County Sheriff’s Office and the Major Crimes Task Force investigated this matter.

Nathan Wolfe, 32, of Middleport, Ohio, was indicted for one count of felonious assault, a felony of the second degree, and one count of endangering children, a misdemeanor of the third degree. The Meigs County Sheriff’s Office and the Meigs County Department of Job and Family Services, Children Services, investigated this matter.

All cases will proceed in Meigs County Court of Common Pleas.

Possible penalties for first and second degree felonies committed on or after March 22, 2019 include: felonies of the first degree- a minimum sentence of 3 to11 years in prison with an indefinite maximum sentence of up to 16.5 years in prison and up to a $20,000 fine; felonies of the second degree- a minimum sentence of 2 to 8 years in prison with an indefinite maximum sentence of up to 12 years in prison and up to a $15,000 fine. Possible penalties for felonies of the third, fourth, and fifth degree include: felonies of the third degree- 9 to 36 months in prison and up to a $10,000 fine; felonies of the fourth degree- 6 to 18 months in prison and up to a $5,000 fine; felonies of the fifth degree- 6 to 12 months in prison and up to a $2,500 fine. For most felonies of the fourth and fifth degrees, sentencing guidelines found in the Ohio Revised Code require first-time offenders to be sentenced to community control unless certain conditions exist permitting the imposition of a prison sentence.

All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

05/01/2026

May 1, 2026 is Law Day.

Law Day is an annual commemoration and celebration of the rule of law and is always held on May 1. One of the purposes of Law Day is foster a greater understanding of the legal system. The rule of law is what ensures the rights and freedoms of the people. The American Bar Association utilizes this definition of rule of law: "a system of self-government in which the government and all individuals are held accountable to a set of fair, publicized, and broadly understood laws that are evenly enforced."

This year’s Law Day theme is The Rule of Law and the American Dream. The American Bar Association "encourages all Americans to recognize Law Day on May 1, 2026, and to reflect on how the rule of law ensures all Americans have the ability to fulfill their dreams."

The Declaration of Independence states that all individuals are endowed with certain unalienable rights and chief among them are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. The rule of law protects these unalienable rights. As the American Bar Association points out, "the Rule of Law protects the rights necessary for each person to pursue their own happiness – their own vision of 'the American Dream'—the belief that hard work can produce a better life."

04/15/2026

We invite you to support crime victims and family members of victims of homicide by joining us on the Pomeroy parking lot on April 21, 2026 at 5:00 P.M. for the National Crime Victim's Rights Week program where we honor our survivors, remember those we have lost, and comfort and fellowship with all who have been impacted by crime.

04/15/2026

04/13/2026

April 13, 2026 Meigs County Court of Common Pleas Criminal Docket

1:00 Stephanie Fulton Final Pretrial and Motions Hearing
1:00 Joshua Cremeans Final Pretrial and Motions Hearing
1:00 Austin Clutter Final Pretrial and Motions Hearing
1:30 Jonathon Hair Status Hearing
2:00 Jerry Stone Motions Hearing
2:30 Travis Barber Change of Plea and Sentencing Hearing
3:00 Taylor Burge Final Pretrial and Motions Hearing
3:15 Donald Stephenson Change of Plea and Sentencing Hearing