News 17 Sept 2026
30 Aug 2026 at approximately 0118 hrs. Deputy McElroy was on patrol in a marked police cruiser when he heard a loud disturbance in the parking lot of Advanced Auto, 220 Greene Street, Pioneer Township. Deputy McElroy responded to the lot and observed a dark colored 1997 Chevrolet Silverado, bearing Ohio registration accelerating heavily out of a parking stall while making a sharp right turn through the parking lot with the exhaust emitting a loud noise and the tires chirping on the asphalt. A large group of people were present due to the disturbance, which created a risk to their safety. Deputy McElroy blocked the vehicle with the patrol cruiser and ordered the driver, Daniel Lee Smith, to hand over the keys. After obtaining the key, Deputy McElroy proceeded to speak briefly with another male involved in the argument and he was given a cease and desist warning. While speaking with the other male, Smith began shouting, “Where the f- - - is the officer that took my keys?” Deputy McElroy approached Smith and began speaking with him. Smith then yelled profanity and made numerous comments about wanting to engage in a physical fight with others. He was advised to calm down, however ignored requests. Smith continued to make derogatory comments about being detained. Smith was again told to be quiet and he continued to scream. Daniel Lee Smith, 2318 Barth Road, Belpre, OH, was placed under arrest and transported to the Washington County Jail where he was served a copy of charges for disorderly conduct, cease and desist.
30 Aug 2026 Deputy Davis met with an individual in Warren Township who was reporting Christian “Chris” Sayre repeatedly texting him and threatening him. Sayre was upset with the other subject over travel plans and a family gathering. Sayre made threating comments in the text to the victim. Deputy Davis attempted to contact Sayre, however he did not answer. Voice mail messages were left requesting a contact back to Deputy Davis. He was also advised to cease and decist in his conduct, however it was advised that Sayre was still texting. A warrant was requested for Christian E. Sayre, age 45, 12652 State Route 676, Waterford, OH, on a charge of domestic violence, menacing, and telecommunications harassment. On 4 Sept 2026 Sayre was arrested on the warrant and processed into the jail.
30 Aug 2026 Deputy Bush responded to Muskingum River Road, Muskingum Township, to a report of a female coming onto the property, exposing herself while dancing. Prior to law enforcement arriving, the female was located at 1200 Muskingum River Road, laying in the roadway partially naked. The female was identified as Krystal Gibbs. Gibbs was laying in the roadway with her dress above her waist. Deputy Bush attempted to talk to Gibbs however she would not respond. A slight sternum rub was performed and Gibbs came to. Gibbs advised she was laying in her yard and the deputy had no business talking to her. Gibbs attempted to leave the scene and enter the house on multiple occasions, yelling while doing so. Gibbs was advised to stay on scene to be seen by EMS. Gibbs noted several times she didn’t want to be seen by EMS, however was eventually checked and cleared. Gibbs appeared to be under the influence of a drug and/or alcohol due to her actions. Krystal D. Gibbs, age 50, was placed under arrest and transported to the Washington County Jail charged with disorderly conduct by intoxication and public indecency.
31 Aug 2026 at approximately 0056 hours Deputy McElroy was behind a tan 2006 Toyota Sienna, bearing WV registration on Congress Road, Belpre Township. The vehicle was observed commiting 3 separate marked lanes violations. A traffic stop was conducted and contact was made with the occupants and front seat passenger, Dillon Gage Anderson. Anderson provided the name and DOB of his brother, Chance Lee Anderson. After positively identifying Anderson, he was found to have an active warrant for his arrest. A positive K-9 alert led to a probable cause search of the vehicle which revealed 3 baggies of methamphetamine weighing approximately 8.25 grams and a used glass smoking pipe (bubble). Anderson was advised of his Miranda Rights and confessed to ownership of both. Dillon Gage Anderson, age 31, 1034 Veto Road, Belpre, OH, was placed under arrest and charged with possession of drugs, possession of drug paraphernalia and obstructing official business. Anderson was taken to the Washington County Jail and served with his charges and his warrant.
31 Aug 2026 Deputy Mays responded to Brackenridge Road, Barlow Township, in reference to a report of Kevin Bartlett shoving an individual at the location. Bartlett and the victim were in a verbal argument and Bartlett pushed the victim against the wall and grabbed her around the neck. The victim reported having difficulty breathing during this time. Marks of redness to the victim’s neck were consistent with the statement made by the victim. Bartlett advised he and the victim were in a verbal argument but did not give a direct answer on any acts of violence. Kevin R Bartlett, age 61, Brackenridge Road, Vincent, OH, was placed under arrest and charged with domestic violence and strangulation.
1 Sept 2026 Deputy Huck began an investigation into a dog biting an individual making a delivery in Fearing Township.
1 Sept 2026 Jeremy Gossett, 850 Brownrigg Road, Fairfield Township, Waterford, OH, was charged with being a fugitive from justice. A warrant for Gossett’s arrest was provided by Wood County, WV. Gossett was processed into the Washington County Jail.
1 Sept 2026 Deputy Groves was dispatched to Sheets Run Drive, Grandview Township, for a dog at large complaint. Deputy Groves met with an individual who advised a white pitbull from 2325 Sheets Run Drive had attacked his dog. The victim’s dog was outside with the owner when the neighboring dog came and attacked his dog. An attempt to speak with the dog owner, Jennifer L. Johnson, was unsuccessful. Later contact was made with Johnson who advised the owner of the dog is a relative of hers and they were out of town. Johnson was advised that as the harborer and responsible party for the dog she would be receiving a summons for failing to restrain the dog.
1 Sept 2026 Deputy Mays responded to Marietta Memorial Hospital, Belpre Campus, to a call of a victim of an assault wishing to speak with law enforcement. Contact was made with the victim who reported being assault by Judith Allen, 175 Watson Lane, Belpre, OH. During an incident at the residence, Allen pointed her finger in the victim’s face, yelling derogatory comments at her. Allen then proceeded to physically push the victim, causing a fall to the ground. Deputy Mays met with Allen and upon asking for details of the incident, found that they did not match any of the information already gathered. Witnesses to the incident relayed the same information as the victim. Judith Allen, age 69, was placed under arrest and transported to the Washington County Jail on a charge of domestic violence.
2 Sept 2026 Deputy Gerber was on patrol near Putnam Street and Second Street, Pioneer Township. A taupe in color Buick 4-door Sedan bearing Ohio registration was observed committing several marked lanes violations and a turn signal violation. A traffic stop was conducted and the driver and passenger were identified. The passenger, Tyler Ebra, 2659 Indian Run Road, Marietta, OH, was found to have an active warrant in Washington County. Ebra was then placed under arrest for the warrant. Deputy Davis arrived on scene with K9 Ivar. K9 Ivar was able to perform a free air sniff around the vehicle, in which K9 Ivar indicated to the odor of narcotics near the rear driver’s side door. A search of the vehicle was conducted and located on the passenger side floor board area, where Ebra was located, was a cigarette pack “Basic”. Inside the cigarette pack was a green plastic baggie with 0.71 grams of suspected methamphetamine. Tyler Patrick Ebra, age 35, was arrested and transported to the Washington County Jail for possession of drugs and the active warrant(s).
The following individuals were processed into the Washington County Jail from 11 Sept to 15 Sept 2026:
Rita Isabelle Draper, age 40, Parkersburg, WV, probation violation, a misdemeanor.
Myonna Jenee Boykins, age 22, Akron, OH, possession of fentanyl related compound, trafficking in fentanyl related compound, aggravated possession of drugs and aggravated trafficking in drugs, all felonies.
Richard Chad Taylor, age 35, having weapons while under disability, a felony, domestic violence and aggravated menacing, both misdemeanors.
Judith Kay Allen, age 69, Belpre, OH, domestic violence, a misdemeanor.
Erick Alan Cline, age 40, Belpre, OH, tampering with evidence, possession of fentanyl related compound, probation violation, all felonies, and illegal use or possession of drug paraphernalia, a misdemeanor.
Bruce Alan Hall, age 70, Lowell, OH, OVI alcohol, drug of abuse or both and driving while under the influence of alcohol/drugs .17 of 1 grams or more, both misdemeanors.
Ryan Deane Beck, age 42, Marietta, OH, theft, a misdemeanor.
Kristine Kelley Biehl, age 39, Marietta, OH, theft, a misdemeanor.
Katelyn Dawn Malone, age 28, Belpre, OH, domestic violence, 2 counts, both misdemeanors.
Joseph Daniel Nunley, age 37, Vincent, OH, probation violation, a misdemeanor.
Grant Tyler McClay, age 36, Belpre, OH, probation violation, a misdemeanor.
Jonathan Craig Thompson, age 38, fugitive from justice, a misdemeanor.
Jessica Marie Biehl, age 31, Marietta, OH, OVI alcohol, drug of abuse or both, abusing harmful intoxicants, and failure to control, all misdemeanors, and probation violation, a felony.
Anthony Montel Blackmon, age 28, Marietta, OH, breach of recognizance and unauthorized use of motor vehicle, prohibitions concerning companion animals and abandoning animals, all misdemeanors.
Johnny Ray Ball, age 64, Beverly, OH, aggravated murder 3 counts, murder 2 counts, perjury 5 counts, obstructing justice, tampering with evidence, all felonies and obstructing official business 2 counts, both misdemeanors.
Bryan Eugene Sturm, age 58, Lower Salem, OH, obstructing official business, resisting arrest and OVI alcohol, drug of abuse or both, all misdemeanors.
