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Court News

LISBON -- A man originally scheduled for sentencing a year ago recently faced his punishment for two separate cases, receiving consecutive terms totaling 30 months in prison.

Anthony R. Wagoner, 46, Walnut Street, Rogers, appeared for sentencing in Columbiana County Common Pleas Court for third-degree felonies of failure to comply with the order or signal of a police officer and having weapons while under disability, fifth-degree felony aggravated possession of drugs and misdemeanor resisting arrest.

He was sentenced to 18 months for the one case for the failure to comply and ordered to serve a consecutive term of 12 months for the weapons charge for a total of 30 months. Terms for other charges were to be served at the same time.

His license was suspended for five years.

Wagoner was originally supposed to face sentencing in August 2025, but failed to appear, then there were continuances, he ended up with a new attorney and attempted to vacate the original plea. The motion was withdrawn for the sentencing.

On March 12, 2024, Wagoner fled from police and resisted arrest and on July 5, 2023, he possessed methamphetamine and had a firearm when he was prohibited from having one due to a previous conviction.

Also in Common Pleas Court:

-- Randy T. McCauley, 40, Canton, was sentenced to nine months in prison for third-degree felony compelling prostitution, fifth-degree felony possessing criminal tools and misdemeanor engaging in prostitution for responding to an undercover familial ad on a known prostitution website of an adult female and a minor female and arranging for sexual activity with both females in exchange for $260, then arriving in East Palestine on Nov. 28, 2025 for the meeting with the phone used to make the arrangements in his possession. He was deemed a Tier II sex offender required to register his address for the sex offender registry.

-- Lindsay K. Buzzard, 38, Fisher Avenue, East Liverpool, was ordered to serve up to six months at the Eastern Ohio Correction Center and placed under community control for three years for possession of a fentanyl-related compound, a fifth-degree felony, and illegal conveyance of drugs of abuse onto the grounds of a specified governmental facility, a third-degree felony, for possessing fentanyl and trying to bring drugs onto a detention facility property on Aug. 8, 2024. She was sentenced to 30 days in jail, but received credit for 30 days already served, leaving no days to serve in the jail.

-- Christian M. Bell, 30, last known address Youngstown, pleaded guilty to a lesser-included offense of third-degree felony burglary (originally second-degree), third-degree felony grand theft when the property is a firearm or dangerous ordnance, and fifth-degree felony possession of cocaine, with sentencing set for Sept. 21. Charges of felony theft, misdemeanor theft and felony aggravated possession of drugs will be dismissed. On Aug. 30, 2024 in East Liverpool, Bell entered another man's home while he was at work and stole several items, including a video game system, a firearm and $2,000 cash. On February. 6, 2025, he possessed cocaine.

-- Willie L. Hill Jr., 20, Columbus, was ordered to serve 30 days in jail, with credit for one day served, leaving a balance of 29 days to serve in jail for two counts of complicity in the commission of an offense, both fourth-degree felonies, and receiving stolen property, a fifth-degree felony. He was placed under community control for four years. Hill was accused of aiding and abetting another in the theft of a motor vehicle and for possessing a stolen license plate on Jan. 26, 2025.

-- Kelly A. Stoddard, 40, East Eighth Street, East Liverpool, pleaded guilty to aggravated possession of drugs and possession of a fentanyl-related compound, both fifth-degree felonies, with sentencing set for Sept. 11 for possessing methamphetamine and fentanyl on Aug. 7, 2024.

-- Thomas L. Peterson, 62, Grafton, pleaded guilty to aggravated possession of drugs, a fifth-degree felony and sentenced to six months in the county jail, with credit for 53 days served, leaving a balance of 127 days still to served in jail. He possessed methamphetamine on Nov. 25, 2024.

-- Virginia Lee Mills, 59, North Ellsworth Avenue, Salem, pleaded guilty to aggravated possession of drugs, a fifth-degree felony, and was placed on an intervention plan for three years. She possessed methamphetamine on April 10, 2025.

-- Christopher J. Thomas, 41, Ohio Avenue, East Liverpool, was ordered to jail for 120 days, with 52 days credit, leaving a balance of 68 days still to serve for violating the terms of his probation for nonsupport of dependents, a fifth-degree felony. His community control was dishonorably terminated. Thomas failed to pay support for a child from April 2, 2023 to March 30, 2025.

-- Shelley L. Swigert, 52, Ashton Road, East Liverpool, was ordered to jail for 260 days, with 166 days credit, leaving a balance of 94 days still to serve for violating the terms of her probation for possession of cocaine and possession of a fentanyl-related compound, both fifth-degree felonies. Her community control was dishonorably terminated She possessed cocaine and fentanyl on Aug. 26, 2023.

-- Sheridan S. Taylor, 35, Massillon, was placed under community control for three years for possession of a fentanyl-related compound, a fifth-degree felony, and illegal conveyance of a drug of abuse onto the grounds of a specified governmental facility, a third-degree felony, for possessing fentanyl and trying to take drugs onto the grounds of a detention facility on Aug. 18, 2023.

-- Anthony E. Barbero,, 45, Poland, pleaded guilty to third-degree felony tampering with evidence, fifth-degree felony aggravated possession of drugs and misdemeanor possession of drugs, with sentencing set for Sept. 21. On May 1, 2025 Barbero tampered with evidence and possessed bromazolam and testosterone.

-- Brian J. Hebb, 52, McCalla Street, East Palestine, pleaded guilty to possession of cocaine, a fourth-degree felony, and aggravated possession of drugs, a third-degree felony, with sentencing set for Sept. 25. Hebb possessed cocaine and psilocyn on June 28, 2023.

Grand Jury

LISBON -- A woman accused of creating a risk of harm to a 3-year-old child was served Monday with a secret indictment issued by the Columbiana County Grand Jury.

Tammy J. Manley, 27, Riley Avenue, East Liverpool, was charged with third-degree felony endangering children for an incident that occurred on March 5, 2022. According to the indictment, she allegedly created a risk to the health and safety of the child by violating a duty of care, protection or support.

Also served with a secret indictment was Thomas C. Joy Jr., 32, Avondale Street, East Liverpool, charged with aggravated possession of drugs, a fifth-degree felony, for allegedly possessing methamphetamine on Aug. 31, 2025.

Municipal

LISBON -- In Columbiana County Municipal Court, Wesley B. Hackney, 26, 10th Street, Wellsville, waived extradition while charged as a fugitive from justice on Aug. 17. He's wanted in the state of Tennessee on a warrant for aggravated sexual battery, two counts of rape and sexual battery for alleged incidents in 2015 while he was a juvenile. The charges were filed in juvenile court in Maury County in Columbia, Tenn. in 2015.

Tina Piatt, 54, Newell, W.Va., was fined $650 and sentenced to 10 days in jail for drug paraphernalia and misdemeanor falsification amended from felony tampering with evidence, and criminal trespass and for violating her probation for a 2026 case of obstructing official business and two counts of possession of drug abuse instrument and a 2026 case of theft. While detained when waiting for an active warrant to be confirmed, she tossed a cigarette pack with two burnt glass pipes inside on Aug. 8 in East Liverpool. On June 12, she trespassed in a garage in East Liverpool.

A pretrial was set Sept. 2 for Sean N. Barrett, 32, Weirton, W.Va., charged with violation of a protection order for allegedly showing up at a protected person's property in East Liverpool on Aug. 15.

Frederick Lamar Betts I, 32, Liberty Township, was fined $750 and sentenced to 90 days in jail, with 89 days suspended and credit for one day served for engaging in prostitution and possessing criminal tools, with 40 hours community service and completion of a prostitution prevention course ordered. He was also ordered to forfeit $80 to the Mahoning Valley Human Trafficking Task Force. Betts responded to an undercover ad on a known prostitution website and arranged for sexual activity with a woman in exchange for $80, then traveled to East Palestine Aug. 18 for the meeting with the phone used to make the arrangements in his possession.

A status conference hearing was set Oct. 20 and a court trial was set Oct. 28 for Hunter Willis, 23, McCann Road, Salem charged with public indecency expose private parts for allegedly standing beside his car at a gas pump urinating with his genitals out at Circle K on South Lincoln Avenue, Salem on May 3. Three men who saw this yelled at him, saying it's not okay to be doing that, when he replied "it's okay to pee at the pump."

A bond hearing was set Oct. 14 for Danny J. Shultz, 29, Cliff Drive, Salem, charged with obstructing official business. Shultz failed to appear for a pretrial hearing in June, with his bond reset to $5,000 cash or surety. He was accused of denying being in a vehicle a Perry Township police officer saw pulling from a suspected drug location on March 30. The officer pulled behind the vehicle which was parked, with the occupants walking away on Newgarden Avenue. When they were stopped, they denied being in a vehicle or leaving it behind, saying they were just out for a walk.

A pretrial was set Oct. 19 for Courtney A. Rudolph, 45, Liberty Street, Salem, charged with criminal trespass and disorderly conduct for allegedly entering someone else's property and entering and searching a vehicle not belonging to her for a backpack while allegedly intoxicated on prescription medication on Aug. 18. Perry Township police had been called to Liberty Street for a suspicious person.

Kayla R. Baker, 33, South Broadway Avenue, Salem, was fined $300 and sentenced to five days in jail, with credit for four days served, leaving one day still to serve for obstructing official business, no license and a tail light violation for failing to provide her license, registration and insurance multiple times during a traffic stop and also failing to exit the vehicle after being ordered out multiple times on April 10 in Salem.

A pretrial was set Oct. 14 for Robert Michael Palmer, 38, Hadley Road Extension, East Palestine, charged with operating a vehicle impaired, OVI breath and unattended vehicle.

Michael W. Saltsman, 64, Second Street, Hanoverton, was fined $1,125 and sentenced to 180 days in jail, with 177 days suspended and credit for three days served in a driver intervention program, with $500 of the fine suspended, for OVI, with 30 hours community service. His license was suspended for two years, with driving privileges granted.

A case against William Scott Santimarino, 37, Hammondsville, was bound over to the county grand jury for fourth-degree felony failure to comply for allegedly fleeing from East Liverpool police attempting a traffic stop of a motorcycle on Aug. 7 in East Liverpool. He's also facing a court trial in Municipal Court for charges related to the incident, including expired license, reckless operation and expired registration.

A preliminary hearing was set Aug. 24 for William Payton, 21, Bouquet Street, Negley, charged with felonious assault, a second-degree felony, and fourth-degree felony domestic violence for allegedly telling a woman he was going to kill her before going after her with a kitchen knife on Aug. 10 in Middleton Township, causing a minor laceration on top of her head.

A preliminary/pretrial hearing was set Aug. 24 for Austin R. Lemasters, 29, Malone Road, Salineville, charged with second-degree felony burglary, fifth-degree felony theft and misdemeanor criminal trespass for allegedly prying open the kitchen window to a state Route 39, Wellsville property on Aug. 5, crawling inside the residence and stealing $75 in cash from an upstairs desk drawer. Security cameras captured the defendant crawling in the window and he was positively identified by his facial tattoos and stature by the victim, who knew him from prior interactions as a former employee. On June 3, he allegedly trespassed on the same property peering into doors and windows.

A preliminary hearing was set Aug. 24 for Jordan Michael Franklin, 31, Main Street, Wellsville, charged with domestic violence, a third-degree felony, for allegedly punching a woman in the face an unknown number of times, causing a broken nose and other injuries, and then grabbing her by the neck on Aug. 15 in East Liverpool, with prior convictions on his record.

A preliminary/pretrial hearing was set Aug. 24 for Charles G. Wilson, 55, Water Street, Salineville, charged with third-degree felony telecommunications fraud, fifth-degree felony possessing criminal tools and misdemeanor criminal trespass for allegedly being caught in Springhill Cemetery in Wellsville with a large amount of AT&T stolen wire in his truck on Aug. 14, with tools used to cut the wire down in the bed of his truck. According to the affidavits, there was $25,825 worth of AT&T wire and the tools included wire cutters, headlamp, chainsaw and chains and pvc. He was also fined $50 for a registration violation.

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