2 face charges of indecency, drugs

By John W. Goodwin Jr.

YOUNGSTOWN — Two men are accused of acts of indecency, and one faces felony drug charges.

Ronald Chambers, 66, of East Judson Avenue, was arraigned Monday before Judge Robert P. Milich of Youngstown Municipal Court on felony possession of cocaine and misdemeanor possession of drug-abuse instruments. He is being held in the Mahoning County jail on $12,500 bond.

Police were initially called to the area around Chambers’ Judson Avenue home because neighbors said he was performing a sex act in front of children.

Police said they went to Chambers’ home and saw him through the screen door watching a pornographic movie. When Chambers noticed officers at the door, he stood up and a syringe dropped from his hand. A tan belt that had been tied around his arm also fell to the ground.

Police said Chambers pulled up his pants, which had been around his ankles, and let officers into the residence. Officers, once inside the home, saw what they believe to be other evidence of drug use — such as a spoon with burned residue and a clear bag containing a white substance.

Police asked Chambers what was in the bag; police say he replied that it was cocaine.

In another case, Judge Milich issued a warrant for the arrest of Jerome McGee, 27, of North Glenellen Avenue, after he failed to show up for a Monday arraignment for public indecency.

Police say concerned citizens called the department Saturday saying a man was in the area of Mahoning Avenue and West Heights exposing himself in public. Officers found McGee, who fit the description of the man described by callers, with his hands down his pants.

Officers have received calls in the past couple of months from residents, workers in the area and school crossing guards in reference to a man police believe to be McGee doing inappropriate things on Mahoning Avenue.

jgoodwin@vindy.com