Judge to rule on evidence in abduction case

Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN

An attorney for a former volunteer band instructor in Poland is trying to get two search warrants quashed because they lacked probable cause for authorities to enter his client’s home.

A suppression hearing was Wednesday in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court before Judge Maureen Sweeney in the case against Kevin Downs, 48, of Poland, on charges of abduction and public indecency.

Attorney John Juhasz, representing Downs, and Jennifer McLaughlin, an assistant county prosecutor, both questioned Poland Township police Detective Greg Wilson about how he went about getting warrants signed by Judge John Durkin in late 2012 and 2013 to search Downs’ home and electronic devices.

The results of the searches did not bolster the investigation against Downs, Wilson testified.

Not much information has been released by authorities about the incident, only that it occurred at Downs’ Chablis Lane home in December 2012 and the victim was a minor. Downs was not an employee of the Poland school district but a volunteer.

Trial in the case is expected to start Jan. 26. Judge Sweeney said she hopes to have a decision on the suppression motion by the end of the week.