By Cornelia Grace
Harrison News-Herald Reporter
CADIZ—The Court of Common Pleas began Tuesday’s schedule with several arraignments. Andrew Henton was arraigned on charges of grand theft of a motor vehicle, a felony in the fourth degree, and breaking and entering, a felony in the fifth degree. Henton is currently in Tuscarawas County Jail. His previous bond of $50,000 was continued, although if he was able to make bond, his pending charges in Tuscarawas County would likely prevent his release.
20-year-old Casey Lanham was present via video call from the Jefferson County Justice Center. Lanham had been served his indictment but said that he didn’t understand why he was told his charge was a felony in the fourth degree, and his indictment showed a felony in the third degree. Judge T. Shawn Hervey read through the indictment for Lanham and explained that the change is because he has a prior felony conviction. Lanham requested an OR bond which would mean being released on his own promise to return, despite his residence being out of state, not having a personal phone number, and his prior conviction. His bond was set at $25,000.
Jacob Tipton was arraigned on two cases, both involving two charges: one for aggravated possession of drugs, a felony in the fifth degree, and the other for possession of drug abuse instrument, a misdemeanor in the first degree. The state, represented by Prosecuting Attorney Lauren Knight, said it would be satisfied with an OR bond as long as Tipton is put on the pretrial release program and has no contact with Destini Woods. Tipton was released on his own recognizance, and Woods’ arraignment immediately followed.
Because Woods had not been previously served with her indictment, she waived her right to 24-hour notice, saying she had read it online anyway. She is charged with aggravated possession of drugs, a felony in the fifth degree, and possession of drug abuse instrument, a misdemeanor in the first degree. The state made no objection to an OR bond as long as Woods was placed on the pretrial release program. She is not allowed contact with Tipton.
58-year-old Joseph Fluharty was sentenced in a nearly year-long case for trespassing. He was previously deemed incompetent to stand trial and spent time in the hospital undergoing treatment. Now that his competency has been restored, he pled guilty to a lesser charge, making his third-degree felony trespass in habitation a misdemeanor.
The victim’s daughter gave an impact statement to the court before sentencing. She said that Fluharty “should not be allowed in society” or anywhere near her mother. She said that he has repeatedly harassed her mother through phone calls, speaking about the situation to uninvolved parties and showing up to her home unannounced despite a no-contact order from the court. Her mother is over 70 years old and is in poor health. This case has caused her much emotional trauma and stress. The daughter said that Fluharty’s actions are “ongoing. This pattern will repeat itself.”
Fluharty was sentenced to 180 days of local incarceration, which was suspended. He will be on community-based controls for two years and is to have no contact with the victim.