Judge issues warrant after man misses court date

YOUNGSTOWN -- A bench warrant was issued Tuesday in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court for Brian K. Kidwell, after he didn't show up for arraignment on a drug charge.
Kidwell, 42, of Youngstown-Kingsville Road, Vienna, was recently indicted on a felony count of cocaine possession. He was to be arraigned last week, but did not appear.
Judge James C. Evans postponed the arraignment until this week, but Kidwell again was not in court when his name was called for arraignment.
Assistant Prosecutor Jeffrey Limbian said deputy sheriffs have been unable to locate Kidwell and serve him with a copy of his indictment, as required by Ohio law.
Judge Evans issued a bench warrant, meaning deputies now will hunt for Kidwell, arrest him and take him to the county jail to await arraignment.
Kidwell testified on behalf of former U.S. Rep. James A. Traficant Jr. during Traficant's federal corruption trial last year. Traficant was convicted and is serving an eight-year sentence at a federal prison in Allenwood, Pa.
bjackson@vindy.com