Archive of 02-02-10

On 2 Feb 10 Tamela L. Barth, age 45, 570 Handschumaker Road, Marietta, reported her husband became upset during a discussion with their twelve year old son over his poor grades in school. Mrs. Barth said her husband left the house to calm down and later apologized for his actions over the phone. Determining no threat or physical confrontation occurred, Deputy Sheriff Mayle closed this case as unfounded.

On 2 Feb 10 Michael Slowter, age 34, 2339 W. Coler Road, Malta, severed approximately half an inch off his left ringer finger as the result of an accident at Adkins Timber Products at 22180 State Route 60, Beverly. Mr. Slowter was stacking lumber as it exited the saw mill when a board from the top of the stack fell on top of his left hand. The Beverly-Waterford emergency squad transported Mr. Slowter to Marietta Memorial Hospital for treatment (208).

On 2 Feb 10 Rosemary Cantley, age 46, 1043 Gantsville Road, Little Hocking, reported an argument with her son Joshua, age 20, erupted during a disagreement over her son’s use of her car. Mrs. Cantley stated she was not going to allow her son to take the car because he was not attending college or working. As she walked from the living room into the kitchen, Mrs. Cantley said her son grabbed two knives from a knife block and commented that she was not going to take his car away. In fear for her safety, Mrs. Cantley phoned 911 and her brother in law for help. Based on the statement of Mrs. Cantley, Sgt. Norman arrested Mr. Cantley for domestic violence and transported him to the Washington County Jail.

SECKMAN ARRESTED IN CONJUNCTION WITH “LIGHT BULB” SCHEME

On November 9, 2009 in conjunction with the Meigs County Sheriff’s Office and the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation and Identification, the Washington County Sheriff’s Office and the Major Crimes Task Force executed search warrants at properties owned by Samuel Seckman at 49270 Bissell Road, Long Bottom, OH, and at 42177 State Route 7, Tuppers Plains, OH.

The search warrants were part of an investigation into allegations that Seckman, under the guise of his company called Universal Products, sold the Washington County Commissioners $40,000 worth of light bulbs, a majority of which were never delivered. Seckman also allegedly submitted invoices for chemicals that were never delivered.

In the affidavit requesting the search warrant in Meigs County Common Pleas Court, Detective Scott Parks alleges that former maintenance supervisor Chuck Moody bragged about receiving kickbacks from “Sam, that light bulb guy,” and of 143 cases light bulbs ordered; only thirty-eight were delivered. During that search over $24,000 in cash was recovered from a safe located in Seckman’s home.

On February 1, 2010, based upon information obtained during the search warrant and other investigative information, Detectives from the Washington County Sheriff’s Office obtained an arrest warrant for Seckman. Seckman was charged with a third degree felony offense of falsifying records. Seckman was arrested this afternoon by law enforcement and is currently being detained in Meigs County until transportation to the Washington County Jail can be arranged.

Seckman’s coconspirator and former Washington County Courthouse maintenance supervisor Charles Moody is also in custody at the South Central Regional Jail in Charleston, WV. Moody was arrested last night at a hotel near Charleston by the West Virginia State Police. Moody is scheduled to appear in Circuit Court in Charleston on Friday.

The following individuals were processed into the Washington County Jail:

Joshua Leroy Gore, age 21, 130 Cemetery Drive, New Matamoras, for violating the terms of his probation, a misdemeanor. Gore was arrested at the intersection of Fourth and Greene streets in Marietta by the Ohio State Highway Patrol and processed into the Washington County Jail on 2 Feb 10 at 12:45 am.

Matthew James Sinclair, age 20, 830 ½ Third Street, Marietta, for violating the terms of his probation, a felony. Sinclair was arrested at the Adult Parole Office by Deputy Sheriff Malone and processed into the Washington County Jail on 2 Feb 10 at 10:59 am.

Charles Lewis Sexton Sr., age 47, 1209 Cisler Drive Apt. D, Marietta, for violating the terms of his probation, a misdemeanor. Sexton was arrested at the office of Probation Officer Hamilton and processed into the Washington County Jail on 2 Feb 10 at 12:49 pm.

Joshua Ryan Cantley, age 20, 1043 Gantsville Road, Little Hocking, for domestic violence, a misdemeanor. Cantley was arrested at his residence by Sgt. Norman of the Washington County Sheriff’s Office and processed into the Washington County Jail on 2 Feb 10 at 6:00 pm.

Samuel Homer Seckman, age 68, 49270 Bissell Road, Long Bottom, OH, for tampering with records, a felony. Seckman was arrested in Meigs County by the Meigs County Sheriff’s Office and processed into the Washington County Jail on 2 Feb 10 at 6:07 pm.

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