Wednesday, June 5, 2002
By PEGGY SINKOVICH
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
WARREN -- Facing felony charges has been "very traumatic" for a former Girard school superintendent, according to his defense counsel.
Atty. Niki Schwartz of Cleveland, who represents Joseph Shoaf, said the charges have had a "tremendous emotional impact" on his 36-year-old client.
"The only thing I can think of that would be as traumatic is to have to suffer the death of a loved one," Schwartz said moments after Shoaf entered innocent pleas to two counts of corrupting another with drugs and one count each of intimidation of a victim, possession of cocaine and trafficking in cocaine.
Shoaf remains free on a $100,000 bond. A pretrial has been scheduled for July 9.
Dressed in a black suit, Shoaf hurried past reporters and declined to comment.
Schwartz also declined to say whether Shoaf was in a drug rehabilitation program.
According to an affidavit filed with the court by the county prosecutor's office, a 17-year-old student tape-recorded a conversation she had with Shoaf in his office at the high school.
On tape
In the April 23 recording, Shoaf can be heard using cocaine with the girl, drinking vodka and talking of sex, the affidavit states.
Police also allege that Shoaf gave the girl a black lace bra and panties to model for him later.
Girard Police Capt. Frank Bigowsky said the possession of cocaine charge is a result of Shoaf's admitting on the tape that he had cocaine in his possession in his office.
The intimidation of a victim is alleged to have taken place May 8 or 9. According to the affidavit, Shoaf told the girl: "As easy as it is for me to get [cocaine], is as easy as it is for me to have someone killed."
The basis for the trafficking in cocaine charge is not clear. The indictment says he sold or offered to sell cocaine in March 2002.
According to the return on the search warrant of Shoaf's office, police found a bottle containing numerous prescription pills and various other pills. A razor blade and travel brochures also were found.
Girard Detective John Norman said the pills were among evidence collected that has been sent to the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation for analysis.
Norman said police have not received a report back from BCI.