Court News

LISBON — A woman accused of abusing an infant was sentenced to 30 months in prison for endangering children, a third-degree felony.

Melanie R. Leonard, 36, Glasgow Road, Lisbon, appeared for sentencing recently in Columbiana County Common Pleas Court for the case. She received credit for 75 days served in jail. Two additional counts of endangering children, one a second-degree felony and one a third-degree felony, will be dismissed.

Leonard was accused of abusing an infant, resulting in serious physical harm to the child on Feb. 24, 2024 when the child was less than 2 months old.

Also in Common Pleas Court:

— Christian A. Brown, 24, last known address Ohio Avenue, East Liverpool, was sentenced to 18 months in prison after violating the terms of community control for third-degree felony grand theft when the property is a firearm or dangerous ordnance and fifth-degree felony theft for stealing a gun from a neighbor on April 17. 2024 in East Liverpool and selling it. He also stole his mother’s wedding ring set in East Liverpool and sold it to a pawn shop on April 15, 2024 in Steubenville. He received credit for 189 days already served in jail.

— Ashley M. Rhodes, 38, old state Route 344, Leetonia, was sentenced to nine months in prison for drug charges from two separate indictments, including lesser included offenses of third-degree felony aggravated trafficking and aggravated possession of drugs, originally first-degree felonies, third-degree felony aggravated possession of drugs, and fifth-degree felonies of two counts aggravated possession of drugs and possession of a fentanyl-related compound. Misdemeanor possession of drug charges were dismissed. She was also given two mandatory fines of $5,000 each and was ordered to forfeit $376. She received credit for six days served in jail. During a drug raid at the old state Route 344, Leetonia property on Feb. 28, 2025, she possessed methamphetamine, amphetamine, fentanyl and psilocyn. She also possessed methamphetamine on Oct. 16, 2024.

–Arthur N. Sherin, 49, Wilbert Avenue, East Liverpool, was sentenced to 230 days in jail, with credit for 210 days serving, leaving a balance of 20 days to serve in jail for fourth-degree felony trespass in a habitation (amended from second-degree felony burglary) and misdemeanor criminal trespass, with felony theft to be dismissed. On Aug. 23, 2025, Sherin trespassed in a woman’s apartment in East Liverpool and was accused of stealing her phone and financial cards while she was checking her mail and her juvenile daughter was there. The trespassing also occurred on the property of the Columbiana Metropolitan Housing Authority.

— Jessica L. Stillion, 44, North Benton, was sentenced to 12 months in prison for two consecutive six-month terms for two counts of aggravated possession of drugs, a fifth-degree felony, with credits of 16 days and 15 days for possessing methamphetamine on Sept. 28, 2024 and Nov. 25, 2024.

— David Q. Rhodes, 54, Creek Road, New Waterford, was ordered released from custody after pleading guilty to a lesser-included offense of disorderly conduct, a misdemeanor, originally misdemeanor domestic violence. A fourth-degree felony strangulation charge was dismissed. The court followed the recommendation of the state, which was based on the reported changing of the story of the alleged victim and the fact the defendant was already incarcerated for 90 days. There was no fine and court costs were waived. He had been accused of grabbing a woman by the neck and throwing her to the ground during a domestic on Feb. 25 in Unity Township.

— Jennifer L. Mshar, 40, Boardman, was ordered to serve 196 days in jail, with credit for 46 days served, leaving a balance of 150 days still to serve for violating the terms of her probation for aggravated possession of drugs, a fifth-degree felony, for possessing methamphetamine on April 7, 2022.

— Joshua D. Davidson, 33, North Market Street, Lisbon, was placed on an intervention plan for 12 months after pleading guilty to possession of cocaine, a fifth-degree felony, for possessing cocaine on Jan. 14, 2023.

— Shawn L. Paulin Sr., 47, Van Buren Avenue, Salem, was sentenced to 142 days in jail, with credit for 42 days served, leaving a balance of 100 days to be served in jail for violating the terms of his probation for nonsupport of dependents, a fifth-degree felony. He failed to provide support from March 14, 2021 to March 12, 2023.

— Tyler D. Weaver, 28, Spring Valley Road, Salineville, was ordered to serve up to six months at the Eastern Ohio Correction Center and was placed under community control until April 2, 2028 for aggravated possession of drugs, a fifth-degree felony, after violating the terms of his intervention plan, which was dishonorably terminated. Weaver possessed methamphetamine on Aug. 12, 2024.

— Jason L. Conkle, 47, Hollywood Avenue, East Liverpool, was placed under community control for three years and sentenced to 30 days in the county jail for nonsupport of dependents, a fifth-degree felony, for failing to provide support from Jan. 1, 2023 to Dec. 29, 2024.

— Jason S. McBroom, 44, Kent, was sentenced to 12 months in prison, with credit for 30 days served in jail, for counterfeiting, a fourth-degree felony, for a counterfeiting incident that occurred on Nov. 16, 2024.

Common Pleas

NEW CASES

Scott J. Yuhanick, North Vine Street, Columbiana, vs. Taylor R. Yuhanick, North Vine Street, Columbiana; divorce sought.

Brian Noble, Pauls Lane, East Liverpool, vs. East Liverpool City Health District, East Liverpool Board of Health and Housing Director Amy Grossen, all West Sixth Street, East Liverpool; motion to stay execution of administrative order to vacate pending appeal over declaration of home on Pauls Lane, East Liverpool as uninhabitable.

DOCKET ENTRIES

Matthew Sidell vs. Kayla Sidell; divorce granted.

Tricia L. Pierson vs. Jason Pierson; divorce granted.

MARRIAGE LICENSES

Shane E. McCartney, 37, East Liverpool, maintenance technician, and Renea L. Kraft, 36, East Liverpool, general manager.

Chad A. Collins, 35, Wellsville, correctional officer, and Bobbi J. Bryson, 29, Wellsville, college student.

Braden R. Morgan, 22, Hanoverton, smokehouse laborer, and Taylor M. Felger, 27, Hanoverton, homemaker.