Warren police incinerate cache of illegal drugs

Warren police incinerate
cache of illegal drugs

WARREN — City police have destroyed an estimated $300,000 to $400,000 in illegal drugs that are no longer needed as evidence. Lt. Thomas Skoczylas, commander of the narcotics unit, said the drugs included prescription bills, marijuana, crack cocaine, powered cocaine, heroine and Ecstasy. Skoczylas said some of the drugs have been held as evidence since 1998, and it took about a year to determine which were no long needed to prosecute cases. The drugs, along with firearms and drug paraphernalia, were destroyed Friday in a furnace at WCI Steel. There were 600 pieces of paraphernalia melted down, including 500 syringes, the lieutenant explained. There were 37 firearms along with some knives and ammunition.

More lockup for rapist

YOUNGSTOWN — A man who served 11 years in prison for rape will be locked up for two more years for failing to notify the sheriff of a change in his address. Judge R. Scott Krichbaum, of Mahoning County Common Pleas Court, sent Elmer R. Hanshaw, 57, of Chambers Street, Campbell, back to prison for two years after Hanshaw pleaded guilty earlier this week to failure to report an address change. Hanshaw, who was convicted of rape in 1995, was required by law to register as a sex offender and report changes of address to authorities, said J. Michael Thompson, assistant Mahoning County prosecutor.

DUI case transferred

CAMPBELL — Francis A. (Tony) Fontes will not be tried for driving under the influence in the city where he is a mayoral contender, court officials say. Fontes pleaded innocent at his arraignment Friday in Campbell Municipal Court. His case is being transferred to Youngstown Municipal Court to avoid any appearance of impropriety, officials in Campbell said. A pretrial hearing date has not been set. Fontes waived his right to a speedy trial. Fontes, 61, of Creed Circle, is opposing incumbent John Dill in the city’s November mayoral race. He posted a $250 bond shortly after his arrest Wednesday night. Police said Fontes crashed into a utility pole on Madison Avenue about 11:15 p.m. A breath test showed his blood alcohol level was above the legal limit. He is charged with driving under the influence and failure to control his vehicle.

Naked man is charged

CORTLAND — A Massillon man faces four charges after being spotted naked with three young girls in a car. Michael Riley, 56, was charged Friday afternoon in Trumbull County Central District Court here with public indecency, and three counts of disseminating harmful materials to a juvenile. He is being held in the Trumbull County Jail and will be arraigned Monday. A Trumbull County 911 log shows that a man with his pants down was masturbating while driving with the young girls in the back seat. The car was spotted at Fowler Ridge and Everett Hull roads in Fowler Township shortly after 11:15 a.m. Friday by a truck driver. An Ohio State Highway Patrol and deputy sheriffs followed the car north along state Route 11 and stopped it on Route 11 in Ashtabula County shortly before noon. The patrol said the girls were turned over to Children Services. Riley’s relationship to the girls, and the materials involved, are not known.

Boardman fundraiser

BOARDMAN — The Shops at Boardman Park is hosting a Walk-Along to benefit Golden String Inc. on Sunday. The walk route is a handicap-accessible course around the shopping center. The first 100 participants who have collected $20 or more in pledges will receive a free T-shirt. Registration will begin at 10 a.m. next to Beauty First. Golden String is a nonprofit organization specializing in problem solving for disabled children and adults. The organization hosts social activities like holiday parties, dances and sporting events.

Multiple drug charges

AUSTINTOWN — Korey F. Jennings, 26, of Ravenwood Avenue, Youngstown, was arrested in the parking lot of a Meridian Road business and charged with drug offenses, township police said. An officer saw Jennings’ car in the lot about 4 a.m. Friday, a police report says. Police found suspected drugs in his car, including marijuana, methadone and crack cocaine. He was taken to the Mahoning County jail on two felony charges of trafficking; having dangerous drugs, a felony; and having drug paraphernalia and permitting drug abuse in a motor vehicle, both misdemeanors. He is to appear Monday at Mahoning County Court here.