News
Jackson County Grand Jury Hands Down Sex Crime Indictments
By: Jennifer Hughes | Jackson County Times-Tribune
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A Jackson County Grand Jury has returned 55 felony indictments and among those indictments are cases againist a convicted sex offender and a man accused of unlawful sexual conduct with a minor.
Jackson County Prosecuting Attorney Justin Lovett announced that the latest Grand Jury met in the second week of September.
“Securing justice for child victims remains one of my highest priorities,” Lovett said. He explained that when he took office in January of this year, he discovered the office had a large backlog of unindicted cases. “As can be seen by the large number of felony prosecutions this year, significant progress has been made, and our county is continuously becoming better and safer as a result.”
Lovett disclosed that felonies committed against children were among the hundreds of backlogged cases he discovered since being elected prosecuting attorney. “When I located these disregarded cases, I took action for the victims. My office began working with investigators and other professionals, both state and local, to fulfill our responsibilities to prepare these cases for successful prosecution and to remove predators from our communities.” According to Lovett, a variety of law enforcement methods are being used to secure the truth and achieve justice in cases, but their efforts and techniques must remain confidential to preserve the integrity of ongoing and future investigations.
“Law enforcement does a considerable amount of confidential investigative work in an effort to secure the level of evidence needed for a successful conviction. When sufficient evidence is attained to secure proper convictions and meaningful punishment against criminals, I have no reservations pursuing prosecution to achieve justice—no matter who the offender may be,” Prosecutor Lovett said.
The September indictments include two counts of Unlawful Sexual Conduct with a Minor, both fourth degree felonies, against Stanley Ohm, of Glenroy Road, Wellston. According to Lovett, this is one of the backlogged cases he discovered after he took office in January 2013. The case dates back to events occurring in 2011.
According to Lovett, a convicted sex offender was also among those indicted: Michael Shrewsbury, of South Chestnut Street, Jackson, for Failure to Notify of Residence Address Change.
Lovett stated the public can learn the location of any registered sex offender in their neighborhood by visiting www.ohioattorneygeneral.gov and clicking the “Sexual Offender Search” link. The registry increases community safety and awareness by informing citizens of the whereabouts of offenders convicted of sexual offenses requiring registration.
“Sheriff Tedd Frazier collects this information for our county and is responsible for monitoring the whereabouts of these offenders. When these sex offenders fail to register or to update a registration, felony charges are pursued,” Lovett said.
Prosecutor Lovett had arrest warrants issued for all indicted individuals who were not already incarcerated or previously arrested. Those arrested then appear before a judge to determine any bond. The cases against those indicted will proceed in the Jackson County Court of Common Pleas.