News 9 Jul 2026 (Copy)
29 Jun 2026 deputies along with the Little Muskingum VFD responded to a report of a deceased individual in Independence Township.
30 Jun 2026 deputies along with the Reno VFD and Newport VFD responded to a report of a deceased individual in Newport Township.
2 Jul 2026 Deputy Thornberry began an investigation into a scam where the individual was advised to obtain a $500 gift card to give as payment.
3 Jul 2026 Deputy Davis began an investigation into a possible unruly child/domestic violence incident in Muskingum Township. After the completion of the investigation charges for unruly are being recommended to the County Prosecutor.
3 Jul 2026 Deputy began an investigation into a theft in Marietta Township of approximately $500.
3 Jul 2026 Deputy Bush responded to 860 Muskingum River Road, Muskingum Township, to a report of 2 male subjects pointing guns at each other. Contact was made with Michael Claytor and Taylor Wright. Claytor advised he had a firearm in his back right pocket. Deputy Bush removed a Ruger .380 out of his pocket and a Stoeger 9mm out of his driver side door. Both firearms were fully loaded with one in the chamber. Claytor further advised that a subject by the name of Jake Bartlett had cut him off on Waterford Road and he followed him to this location to confront him. Claytor reportedly walked up to Bartlett’s window and began to question him on his driving habits, as he was annoyed by the situation. Claytor stated Bartlett then produced a firearm and Claytor punched him and retreated to his car. Claytor further advised Bartlett exited his vehicle with the firearm at his side and he (Claytor) then drew down on him (Bartlett) with his own firearm. Claytor advised he instructed Bartlett to get away and put the gun down. Bartlett then put the gun down and fled the scene. Deputy Bush detected the odor of an alcoholic beverage coming from Claytor’s person. Claytor admitted to drinking alcohol inside the establishment, and to carrying the Ruger on his person inside the establishment. Deputy Bush then spoke with Taylor Wright who advised she was riding with Bartlett when this all occurred and Bartlett had accidentally cut Claytor off on the roadway. Wright stated Claytor followed them to the establishment and confronted Bartlett. Wright stated Claytor was yelling and began to punch the window, before punching Bartlett in the face. Wright confirmed Bartlett exited the vehicle with a firearm, with Claytor pointing his firearm at Bartlett. At that time she noted that Bartlett returned to his vehicle and fled. The odor of an alcoholic beverage was detected coming from Wright’s person.
Upon Deputy Wallace conducting a traffic stop with Jake Bartlett being a passenger in the vehicle, Deputy Bush responded to the area to assist. Contact was made with Jake Bartlett who advised he had cut Claytor off by accident and Claytor followed him to the establishment. Bartlett stated Claytor approached his vehicle window upset about the incident in which a verbal altercation occurred, and escalated to Claytor punching him in the face. Bartlett stated he exited the vehicle with a fully loaded Scorpion style pistol, never pointing the firearm at Claytor, however Claytor drew down on him with his firearm. Bartlett stated he returned to his vehicle and fled the scene back to Parkersburg, WV. Bartlett admitted to drinking alcohol at an establishment in Marietta, and another in Parkersburg, WV.
While speaking with Wright, the odor of an alcoholic beverage was emitting from her person. An OSP Trooper arrived and conducted SFSTs with Wright. Wright was observed to have blood shot watery eyes and slurred speech. The Trooper also stated he observed 6-6 clues on Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus. During the walk and turn Wright failed to touch heel to toe on all of her steps, and also stepped off the line once. During a PBT test Wright blew 0.105 BAC.
Taylor M. Wright, age 28, 1504 Broadway Avenue, Parkersburg, WV, was placed under arrest for suspicion of OVI and transported to the Ohio State Highway Patrol for a BAC test. At the post Wright blew a 0.102 BAC. Wright was then transported to the Washington County Jail for operating a vehicle while intoxicated.
Michael Lane Claytor, age 66, 130 Wynncrest Drive, Marietta, OH, was placed under arrest and transported to the Washington County Jail charged with handling weapons while intoxicated and assault. Upon arrival at the Washington Cunty Jail, Claytor blew a 0.009 BAC.
Jake Maurell Bartlett, age 25, 1504 Broadway Avenue, Parkersburg, WV, was placed under arrest and transported to the Washington County Jail charged with handling weapons while intoxicated. Once at the Washington County Jail Bartlett blew a 0.15 BAC.
