Fracking protesters plead not guilty in Sebring court

Staff report

SEBRING

All three people arrested Sunday during a protest at an oil and gas lease signing pleaded not guilty Thursday through their attorneys in Mahoning County Area Court here.

Anne Lukins, 21, of Bainbridge Island, Wash., Jeremy T. Bingham, 20, of Arlington, Mass., and Jonathan Sidney, 22, of Cleveland, were arrested in two separate incidents at Greenford Bobcats Space Center, 7600 W. South Range Road in Greenford, Green Township.

Lukis was one of 10 people who entered the building about 4:15 p.m. Sunday, where members of the Associated Landowners of the Ohio Valley, a nonprofit landowner advocacy group, were signing leases with London-based BP.

The 10 people were yelling and attempted to push past police officers and other event staff, according to police, and were “advised several times that they were not welcome inside the private building.”

Nine of the group members left the building. Lukis did not and was arrested on charges of criminal trespass and obstructing official business.

Two people, later identified as Bingham and Sidney, reportedly set off fire alarms at the meeting about 5:40 p.m. .

Bingham and Sidney fled the scene but were apprehended five minutes later at a West South Range Road address. Both are charged with inducing panic and criminal trespassing.

A trial is to be scheduled at a later date.