Defiance County Prosecuting Attorney, Morris J. Murray, has released the following information regarding recent Indictments returned by a Defiance County Grand Jury on October 1, 2024:
-ROBERT G. PEREZ, age 60, 1213 Ayersville Ave., Defiance was indicted for One Count of Domestic Violence, a Felony of the Third Degree. Authorities allege that on September 20, 2024, at his residence on Ayersville Ave., in Defiance, Perez caused or attempted to cause physical harm to a family or household member, and he has three prior Domestic Violence convictions, which elevate the level of this offense to a felony of the third degree.
-CHRISTOPHER S. STARR, age 38, 719 Ronmar Dr., Defiance, was indicted for One Count of Strangulation, a Felony of the Fourth Degree. Authorities allege that on September 13, 2024, at his residence on Ronmar Dr., in Defiance, Starr caused or created a substantial risk of physical harm to a person with whom he was in a dating relationship, by means of strangulation or suffocation.
-TAWNY HOHENBERGER, age 32, 328 W. McKibben St., Lima, was indicted for One Count of Trespass in a Habitation when a Person is Present or Likely to be Present, a Felony of the Fourth Degree. Authorities allege that on September 4, 2024, Hohenberger trespassed in a residence on Jefferson Ave., in Defiance.
-SHAWN M. WILLIAMS, age 49, 110 West 17th St., Lima, Williams was indicted for One Count of Possession of Cocaine, a Felony of the Fifth Degree, and One Count of Tampering with Evidence, a Felony of the Third Degree. Authorities allege that on September 23, 2024, during a traffic stop on Lake St., in Defiance, Williams was found in possession of Cocaine. Authorities further allege that following the traffic stop, Williams, 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.
-BLAIN C. AYERS, age 56, 919 Jackson Ave., in Defiance, was indicted for One Count of Menacing by Stalking, a Felony of the Fourth Degree. Authorities allege that from July 28, 2024, through September 17, 2024, Ayers engaged in a pattern of conduct that caused mental distress to another and also caused the victim to believe that he would cause them or their family physical harm. Authorities also allege that Ayers trespassed on the land or premises where the victim lives.
-ASHLEY STAIRHIME, age 30, 101 Partridge Place Dr., Paulding, was indicted for One Count of Aggravated Possession of Drugs, a Felony of the Third Degree, One Count of Possession of a Fentanyl-Related Compound, a Felony of the Fifth Degree, and One Count of Operating a Vehicle While Under the Influence of a Listed Controlled Substance or a Listed Metabolite of a Controlled Substance, a Misdemeanor of the First Degree. Authorities allege that on July 3, 2024, on State Route 15, in Defiance, Stairhime operated a vehicle while under the influence of drugs. Authorities further allege that during a traffic stop, Stairhime was also found in possession of over three grams of Methamphetamine, a Schedule II drug, as well as a Fentanyl-related compound.
Arraignments are scheduled for Wednesday, October 16, 2024, at 9 a.m.