July 8, 2024, Press Release from the Office of Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost: (DELAWARE, Ohio) — A former purchasing agent for the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium must pay $90,000 in restitution to the zoo after pleading guilty this morning to six felonies and two misdemeanors, Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost announced.
Tyler Dunlap entered a plea of guilty to three misdemeanor counts of assault, misconduct at an emergency, and resisting arrest. Dunlap entered his resignation from the Lima Police Department on December 30th of 2022. According to the Lima Law Director's Office, court records indicate that Dunlap obstructed an emergency call in Auglaize County.
Dozens of township, village, city, and county elected and appointed officials attended a session reviewing the Ohio ethics laws. As public servants, they have a responsibility to comply with the law. The two most common violations the ethics commission sees are people who sell goods and services to their own public office and nepotism. The criminal liability for violations can range from 1st-degree misdemeanors to 4th-degree felonies.
35-year-old Orlando Brown was booked into the Allen County Jail on a misdemeanor charge of domestic violence. According to the Lima Police Department, they were called out to a home on Baxter Street around 10 a.m. on Thursday for a reported fight in progress and they took Brown into custody. He is staying in Lima staying with relatives. It is unknown at this time when they will have a video arraignment on that charge.
According to the Findlay Police Department, officers were trying to pull Claypool over when he took off, the half-mile chase went through alleys, parking lots, and on Findlay streets. He eventually stopped and fled on food, and that is when the K-9 was deployed. Claypool was treated at the hospital for injuries from the K-9 and is currently in the Hancock County Jail.
The Department of Justice says 28-year-old Jonathan J. Copeland was arrested today in Shawnee Township. He was expected to make his initial appearance before the court in the Northern District of Ohio today. He faces accusations of assaulting, resisting or impeding law enforcement officers with a dangerous weapon, and interfering with a law enforcement officer during a civil disorder. Both are felony charges.
Lima Police Chief Angel Cortes tells Your News Now, that he will decide whether to place Officer Dunlap on paid administrative leave and initiate an investigation after the officer's initial hearing and he reviews the video of the incident and written reports. The chief expects that decision Wednesday. Dunlap was released from jail after Tuesday's hearing.
High school principal Chad Brinkman, and teachers Maureen Rentz and Karissa Hoersten were facing misdemeanor charges of child endangering. The charges stem from an alleged incident of neglect of a student that took place on May 4th, 2021. Their attorney argued that the prosecutors didn't have any evidence to proceed with the case and that the people who were going to be called to testify were not experts. The judge ruled to dismiss the case against the school employees.
High school principal Chad Brinkman and staff members Maureen Rentz and Karissa Hoersten were arraigned on the child endangering charges. The charge stems from an incident that occurred on May 4th, 2021, when an alleged incident of neglect of a student took place. The charges were filed this year and come from the Van Wert City Law Director's Office.
Teddy Hale was indicted on 14 counts including Aggravated Vehicular Homicide, Aggravated Possession of Drugs, and Operating a Vehicle Under the Influence of Drugs or Alcohol. According to the indictment, Hale had meth and marijuana in his system at the time of the crash. The Celina Police Department reports on September 27th, Hale failed to stop for a car and motorcycle that were stopped ahead of him. Hale hit the motorcycle and the driver was ejected and died. Hale was also charged with misdemeanor counts of Driving with a Suspended License and Violating Speed Limits.
