Two young adults arraigned for complicity in child-rape

By Cornelia Grace Harrison News-Herald Reporter

CADIZ – Two defendants in a case involving alleged child rape, Persia Coleman and Bryce Hatcher, were arraigned on Tuesday, May 16.

Thatcher and Bryce allegedly drove Chad Holcomb from Woodsfield to Cadiz so that Holcomb could meet up with a 12-year-old girl he met online. The girl was picked up sometime in the evening on April 12. Coleman and Thatcher drove around Cadiz while Holcomb sexually assaulted the girl in the backseat of the car. The child was found by the Cadiz Police Deaprtment around 2 a.m. Holcomb was arrested two days later. Coleman and Hatcher were brought in a day later and both were charged with a misdemeanor in the first degree. Each bond was originally set at $100, but both have since been indicted on more serious charges.

Hatcher has been indicted on two complicity charges, one a felony in the first degree and one a felony in the third. He also has a first-degree misde -

COUNTY COURT Criminal/Traffic

Violations neanor charge of contributing to the delinquency of a minor.

• 19 speeding violations, two seatbelt violations, two failure to reinstate, one no brake lights, one overloaded vehicle, two driving under suspension, one fictitious registration, four possession of drugs, one turn-signal violation, two no operating license, one no motorcycle endorsement, one tag/sticker violation, two contributing to the delinquency of a minor, one failure to comply, one aggravated assault, one hit and run, two willful/wanton operation, and one domestic violence.

A complicity charge means that the person is being held accountable for a crime because they helped or assisted in carrying out the offense. Under the Ohio Revised Code, this can mean they solicited or procured another person to commit the offense, aided or abetted someone in committing the offense, conspired to commit the offense, and/or caused an innocent person to commit the offense. A complicity charge does not always

Public Record

Civil Credit News

• May 8 (satisfied date): Plaintiff Midland Funding, LLC, Midland Funding De LLC; Defendant Kimberly Stull. Cause of action: Money. For: In favor of plaintiff.

• May 8 (satisfied date): Plaintiff Village Auto & Truck Sales, LLC; Defendant Mary Mansfield. Cause of action: Money. For: In favor of plaintiff.

• May 8 (satisfied date): Plaintiff Credit Acceptance Corp.; Defendant Roger McLeod III. Cause of action: Money. For: In favor of plaintiff.

CIVIL CASES

• May 1 (file date): Prestige Financial Services VS. Michael A. Shaw. Action: Other Civil.

• May 2 (file date): Edward Barger VS. Vista Valley Homes, LLC. Action: Other Civil.

Recorder

May 8-12, 2023

• Betty L. Lee to Dale M. Lee, Franklin Twp.

SNAP-ED Classes

SNAP-ED is a free evidence-based educational program that helps individuals with healthy eating patterns, increase physical activity, mean the defendant physically carried out the offense. If it can be proved the defendant had prior knowledge of the crime beforehard or somehow participated, even just as a “look-out” for others, they can be charged with complicity. If convicted, those found complicit can face the same punishment as the person who carried out the crime.

During arriagnment, the state, represented by prosecuting attorney Lauren Knight, requested a higher monetary bond be set, “At this point,

• Metta M. Eddy to Kathleen Dawson, Scio Village.

• Larry L. Young etux to Joshua W. Boyd etux,Washington Twp.

• Robert L. Butler Jr. etux to Brian A. Blake, New Athens Village.

• John Gifford etal to Barbara J. Reed, North Twp.

• Barbara J. Reed to Dustin Prince, North Twp.

• Mark R. Lewis to Michael C. Horstman etal, Green Twp.

• Timothy R. Sr. and Amie L. Dunfee Family Joint Declaration of Trust to Gunner Rea etux, Cadiz Village.

• James Roger Phillips Dec’d to Dawna M. Phillips, Washington Twp.

• New Life Property Solutions LTD to Erin Sue Orth, Cadiz Village.

• George K. Bosu etux to Our Little Lodge LLC, Franklin Twp.

Marriage

Applications

• May 8: Justin Michael Archer, 35, Flushing, and Sabrina Noel Forbush, 28, Flushing.

SHERIFF’S OFFICE

• April 30 – A woman came into the office about her juvenile daughter not given the level of offense, the state would request a bond in the amount of $15,000 with the 10-percent option. The defendant doesn’t have any criminal history, he’s still pretty young as far as being an adult. But obviously the state’s concern at this point is the safety of juveniles around him.”

After a few questions, Judge Shawn Hervey considered the severity of the charges and stated that a felony in the first degree typically presumes a flight risk. Hatcher’s bond was set at $15,000 with the 10-percent option. The 19-year-old was taken into custody in the courtroom.

After Hatcher, Coleman was present for her arraignment which followed a similar pattern. Coleman was indicted on the same charges as Hatcher was, a felony one, felony three, and a first-degree misdemeanor. A felony one presumes a prison sentence of three to 16 years. This charge also carries a tail sentence which means that whatever sentence is given can be extended for up to half the stated term. For example, if an wanting to return home. The woman allowed her child to stay with another family during the school year. Two months ago, the school district filed truancy charges against the mother and child. The child returned home briefly before being taken back to the other family after an argument. The mother reached out to the other family days later to set up a time that she could come to permanently collect her daughter, they would not cooperate so she came to law enforcement. The mother admitted that allowing her daughter to live with another family was not a good idea. Due to the age of the child, she was required to return home. Deputies did speak to the juvenile off to the side about everything that had happened. The mother was informed that children services will be contacted. The family that was caring for the child inquired about seeking custody and that they are worried about her well-being being that they provide her with everything she needs.

• May 2 – A deputy was called to a property in Jewett. A man called about a four wheeler that was stolen from the family hunting property. Upon offender receives a four-year sentence, that can be extended to six. A sentence of six years can be extended to nine years. This level of offense can also carry up to a $25,000 fine.

Knight spoke briefly, “Similarly to the case prior to this, the defendant is very young, having just turned 18 in February, she doesn’t have any listed criminal history. The state’s position is that given the level of offenses, the concern is that she would abscond. The state would request a monetary bond in the amount of $15,000, 10-percent cash assurity.”

Public Defender Adrian Pincola was present as a courtesy to the court and spoke on behalf of Coleman saying that due to her age, it was unlikely she was grasping the severity of the charges. He also stated she would likely not be able to make a high bond payment for her case.

Hervey again explained that the charges themselves present a flight risk, “The bond of $15,000 is appropriate.” entering the garage, he noticed the four-wheeler gone and a tool box rifled through. He located tracks outside the house, but they quickly disappeared in the grass. There were no signs of forced entry onto the main property and the four-wheeler key was still inside the house. The owner is setting up cameras on the property.

Coleman was taken into custody in the courtroom.

• May 4 – A traffic stop was initiated due to the license plates on a vehicle coming back registered to another. The driver’s license was suspended due to non-compliance suspension and he carried no driver’s insurance. The driver had the title to the vehicle which showed it was in his possession for seven months. The driver was cited and the vehicle was impounded until it was properly registered.

• May 4 – A deputy spoke with a fellow deputy about a person reported missing earlier in the day. It was suspected that she was with a female relative who lived in Uhrichsville. Not much later, the deputy performed a traffic stop on an older pickup truck for no rear plate lights, and, upon further inspection, no registration sticker on the plate. When the deputy asked the occupants of the vehicle for credentials, they both had suspended licenses and they also could not produce the registration or proof of insurance on the vehicle. The female passenger had an active warrant out of Tuscarawas County due to probation violation, and was identified as the relative of the woman reported missing. The deputy took the female into custody due to the warrant, and questioned her about the missing person, which she confirmed she just saw an hour prior. After the deputy was given the location, he called other deputies who then made contact with the missing female. She was safe and would be returning to her family the next morning. The male driver was cited for traffic violations, and the female was transported to Tuscarawas County. The truck was taken to the sheriff’s office for further investigation due to the ignition being drilled out so a screwdriver could be used to start the vehicle. There is an investigation for suspected vehicle theft.