Defiance County Prosecuting Attorney, Morris J. Murray, has released the following information regarding recent Indictments returned by a Defiance County Grand Jury on November 6, 2024:
Among those Indicted was 58-year-old MICHAEL J. BROWN, of 111 W. Pinewood Ave., Defiance, who stabbed an elderly female at a residence in Defiance on October 30th.
Brown was indicted for One Count of Attempted Murder, a Felony of the First Degree, and One Count of Felonious Assault, a Felony of the Second Degree.
Authorities allege that on October 30, 2024, at his residence on Pinewood Ave., in Defiance, Brown attempted to purposely cause the death of another, and he also caused or attempted to cause physical harm to the victim to by means of a deadly weapon.
Other Indictments Included:
-THOMAS A. JUSTINGER, age 44, 15015 CR 424, Sherwood, was indicted for One Count of Domestic Violence, a Felony of the Fourth Degree.
Authorities allege that on October 13, 2024, at his residence on CR 424, in Sherwood, Justinger caused or attempted to cause physical harm to a family or household member, and he has a prior domestic violence conviction, which elevates the level of this offense to a felony.
-CODY J. DIETZ, age 35, 212 W. Brown Rd., Montpelier was indicted for One Count of Gross Sexual Imposition, a Felony of the Fourth Degree.
Authorities allege that between June 1, 2024, and October 1, 2024, at a residence on W. High St., in Hicksville, Dietz had sexual contact with another, who he compelled to submit by force or threat of force.
-JENNIE R. MOHR, age 48, 205 E. Short St., Lot 32, Stryker, was indicted for One Count of Possession of a Fentanyl-Related Compound, a Felony of the Fourth Degree, and One Count of Aggravated Possession of Drugs, a Felony of the Fifth Degree.
Authorities allege that on October 25, 2024, during a traffic stop on High St., in Defiance, Mohr was found in possession of over three grams of a fentanyl-related compound, as well as Methamphetamine, a Schedule II drug.
-RAINA N. BADEN, age 19, 352 E. Rosewood Ave., Apt. 13, Defiance, was indicted for One Count of Strangulation, a Felony of the Fourth Degree, and One Count of Domestic Violence, a Misdemeanor of the First Degree.
Authorities allege that on October 22, 2024, at her residence on Rosewood Ave., in Defiance, Baden caused or created a substantial risk of physical harm to a family or household member by means of strangulation or suffocation. Authorities further allege that, during the aforementioned incident, Baden also caused or attempted to cause physical harm to a family or household member.
-JUSTIN W. GOATLEY, age 43, 1023 Wayne Ave., Apt. 101, Defiance, was indicted for One Count of Burglary, a Felony of the Second Degree. Authorities allege that on October 22, 2024, Goatley forced entry into a residence on Seneca St., in Defiance, with purpose to commit a criminal offense at the residence.
-CARL A. GUTIERREZ-BRUCE, age 23, Lorain Correctional Institution, was indicted for Four Counts of Rape, each a Felony of the First Degree.

Authorities allege that between January 1, 2016, and August 31, 2017, at a residence on Perry St., in Defiance, Gutierrez-Bruce engaged in sexual conduct with two juveniles under the age of 13.
-BARRET J.C. RAMSEY, age 19, 406 Walnut St., Oakwood, was indicted for One Count of Aggravated Burglary, a Felony of the First Degree.
Authorities allege that on October 16, 2024, Ramsey forced entry into a residence on Washington Ave., in Defiance, with purpose to commit a criminal offense, and Ramsey had a deadly weapon on his person during the aforementioned incident.
-ROBERT M. SANCHEZ JR., age 48, 24389 Nagel Rd., Defiance, was indicted for Three Counts of Gross Sexual Imposition, each a Felony of the Third Degree.
Authorities allege that between June 1, 2019, and August 31, 2020, at residences in Defiance, Sanchez had sexual contact with a juvenile under the age of thirteen.
-CORY M. MENDEZ, age 42, 14761 Rd. 138, Paulding, was indicted for One Count of Aggravated Possession of Drugs, a Felony of the Fifth Degree.

Authorities allege that on September 21, 2024, at a residence on State Route 111, in Defiance, Mendez was found in possession of Methamphetamine, a Schedule II drug.
-DUSTIN S. BRANDON, age 34, 18880 Blosser Rd., Ney, was indicted for One Count of Gross Sexual Imposition, a Felony of the Third Degree.
Authorities allege that between June 1, 2023, and August 31, 2023, at his residence, in Ney, Brandon had sexual contact with a juvenile under the age of thirteen.
-ASHTON J. BIGGER, age 19, 6325 State Route 15, Defiance, was indicted for One Count of Aggravated Possession of Drugs, a Felony of the Fifth Degree, and One Count of Tampering with Evidence, a Felony of the Third Degree.
Authorities allege that on October 11, 2024, on Stadium Dr., in Defiance, Bigger was found in possession of Methamphetamine, a Schedule II drug.
Authorities further allege that prior to the traffic stop, Bigger, knowing that an official proceeding or investigation was in progress, tampered with items that were potential evidence, with purpose to impair those items for availability as evidence in this matter.

-JAY P. MCMILLEN, age 56, 521 Ohio St., Lima, was indicted for One Count of Aggravated Possession of Drugs, a Felony of the Fifth Degree.
Authorities allege that on September 8, 2024, at a residence on Aspen Terrace Dr., in Defiance, McMillen was found in possession of Methamphetamine, a Schedule II drug.
-ASHLEY D. DALTON, age 37, 418 N. Race St., Van Wert, was indicted for One Count of Failure to Appear as Required by Recognizance, a Felony of the Fourth Degree. Authorities allege that on October 17, 2024, Dalton failed to appear at the Defiance County Common Pleas Court for a pre-trial hearing, in connection with the commission of a felony, after having been released on a personal recognizance bond.
-JULIAN HINOJOSA, age 28, 102 N. Main St., Apt. D, Ada, was indicted for One Count of Failure to Appear as Required by Recognizance, a Felony of the Fourth Degree.
Authorities allege that on November 1, 2024, Hinojosa failed to appear for a Dispositional Hearing, at the Defiance County Common Pleas Court, in connection with a Motion to Revoke his Community Control, after having been released on a personal recognizance bond.
Arraignments are scheduled for Wednesday, November 20, 2024, at 9 a.m.
