Prosecuting Attorney Jason D. Holdren announces that the Gallia County Grand Jury met in December 2023 and returned indictments for the following individuals:
Joseph P. Hernandez, age 20, of Gallipolis, Ohio, one count of Murder, a Special Category Felony.
Nicholas I. Eblin, age 19, of Gallipolis, Ohio, one count of Aggravated Arson, a felony of the second degree.
David G. Hammack, age 25, of Cheshire, Ohio, one count of Weapons While Under Disability, a felony of the third degree.
Russell D. Sargent, age 45, of Bidwell, Ohio, one count of Aggravated Possession of Drugs (Methamphetamine), a felony of the fifth degree; one count of Tampering with Evidence, a felony of the third degree; one count of Possession of Fentanyl Related Compound, a felony of the fifth degree; and one count of Possession of Cocaine, a felony of the fifth degree.
Bretton M. Stutes, age 29, of Cheshire, Ohio, one count of Menacing by Stalking, a felony of the fourth degree.
Christina D. Flemings, age 35, of Bidwell, Ohio, one count of Failure to Appear, a felony of the fourth degree.
Charles M. Sanders, age 38, of Caretta, West Virginia, one count of Improper Handling of a Firearm in a Motor Vehicle, a felony of the fifth degree; and one count of Possession of Fentanyl Related Compound, a felony of the fifth degree.
Michelle L. Burns, age 45, of Gallipolis, Ohio, one count of Aggravated Possession of Drugs (Methamphetamine), a felony of the fifth degree.
William C. Woods, age 38, of Point Pleasant, West Virginia, two counts of Non-Support of Dependents, felonies of the fifth degree.
Richard A. Hurt, age 37, of Kerr, Ohio, three counts of Non-Support of Dependents, felonies of the fifth degree.
Melvin Hayes Jr., age 45, of Gallipolis, Ohio, one count of Possession of Fentanyl Related Compound, a felony of the fifth degree.
Paul A. VanMeter, age 52, of Gallipolis, Ohio, one count of Breaking and Entering, a felony of the fifth degree.
Michael T. Shong Jr., age 33, of Patriot, Ohio, one count of Theft, a felony of the fifth degree.
Nathan L. Craig, age 30, of Huntington, West Virginia, one count of Possession of Fentanyl Related Compound, a felony of the fifth degree; and one count of Possession of Heroin, a felony of the fifth degree.
The cases against those indicted will proceed in the Gallia County Common Pleas Court.
