TRUMBULL COUNTY Bondsman faces indictment on felony tampering charge

The bondsman was released after posting a $5,000 bond.
By PEGGY SINKOVICH
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
WARREN -- Warren Township police arrested a bail bondsman on charges of tampering with evidence stemming from a shooting at a local bar.
Dave Griffin, a bondsman for Napolet Bonding, was secretly indicted by the Trumbull County grand jury on the felony charge Wednesday afternoon, said Lt. Don Bishop.
After being served the indictment, Griffin was taken to the Trumbull County jail and then arraigned before Judge W. Wyatt McKay of Trumbull County Common Pleas Court.
He was released after posting a $5,000 bond.
"He hid a gun that was used in a shooting at the Bushwacker's," Bishop said. "He gave the gun to someone."
Police found the gun about a block from Bushwacker's, a North River Road bar, Bishop said.
Griffin, who could not be reached to comment, is also the manager of Bushwacker's.
Man shot in arm
Police said Eric Barrett, 21, of Diehl Street, Leavittsburg, was treated at an area hospital for a bullet wound to his arm he suffered during the shooting Oct. 22.
No one has been charged with the shooting.
"We are still investigating, but there will probably be additional charges [filed]," Bishop said.
Police reports say Griffin walked around the back of the bar about 2:50 a.m. and got into a confrontation with four to five people in the bar's parking lot. Barrett was one of those people.
The confrontation escalated into gunfire, police said.
Atty. John Fowler, who represents Griffin, said his client was assaulted during the confrontation.
"He was hurt pretty bad," Fowler said. "I am sure the police are also investigating how he got injured."
sinkovich@vindy.com