News 11 Mar 2026
5 Mar 2026 Deputy Groves was contacted by an individual at a downtown business who was needing law enforcement. Deputy Groves assisted until the Marietta Police Department was able to respond.
5 Mar 2026 Deputy Groves began an investigation into a dog biting an individual in the City of Marietta.
6 Mar 2026 at approximately 0900 hours Deputy Thornberry was dispatched to a reported traffic crash in Dunham Township, State Route 339 and Lane Road. Isaac Fordyce was traveling north on SR 339 near Lane Road, while the second unit was traveling behind Fordyce. Fordyce entered into the left lane to pass a vehicle in front of him, however failed to pass, slowing and getting back in behind the vehicle. Fordyce failed to yield and struck the vehicle that had been previously behind him. Deputy Thornberry discovered Isaac Fordyce was operating a motor vehicle with a suspended license during the crash. A citation was issued to Fordyce for driving under suspension.
6 Mar 2026 Deputy Tucker responded to a residence on County Rod 9, Marietta Township regarding a garage that had been broken into and items of value removed.
6 Mar 2026 Deputies along with the Dunham Volunteer Fire Department responded to the scene of a deceased individual.
7 Mar 2026 Deputy Pugh was dispatched to Muskingum Drive, Marietta, OH, to investigate an incident where another individual had filed taxes using our victim’s information.
7 Mar 2026 at approximately 0940 hours an individual came on station to report an assault by Keith Huff at a residence in Muskingum Township. The victim reported that on 5 Mar 2026 an argument started in Marietta, which led to the victim being struck in the face in Williamstown. The victim then returned with Huff to his residence where an argument continued. Huff then locked the door and stood in the doorway, preventing the victim from leaving. The victim was able to open the door partially and while attempting to exit Huff shut the door on the victim, causing injury. 6 Mar 2026 the victim again tried to leave the residence which again Huff would not allow it. Another attempt to leave had Huff grabbing the victim by the hair throwing them to the floor, then striking the victim on the side of the head/ear. Huff continued by striking the victim multiple times. During this scuffle, Huff also threatened to strike the victim in the head with a battery powered saw. Huff repeatedly hit/kicked the victim throughout the night and into the morning this date. The victim eventually was able to escape the residence and reach out to law enforcement. Numerous injuries were viewed by Deputy Tucker including a noticeable black/bloodshot eye, all of which were caused by Huff at the State Route 821 address, except for the black eye that had been caused while traveling in West Virginia. Keith Allen Huff, age 42, 127 State Route 821, Marietta, OH, was transported to the Washington County Jail charged with a 3rd degree felony domestic violence, and a 3rd degree misdemeanor unlawful restraint.
8 Mar 2026 Deputy Gainer began an investigation into Golf Cart damage at Oxbow Golf Club.
9 Mar 2026 Deputy Groves requested a summons be issued to Katelyn D. Malone, 813 Braun Road, Belpre, OH, on a charge of failure to confine/restrain dogs.
9 Mar 2026 Deputy Wallace, along with other deputies, responded to State Route 550, Warren Township to a report that Branda Houk was at the residence and does not reside there. Dispatch also reported that the caller had heard a gunshot and detected the smell of gun powder. The caller met deputies at the door and a female could be heard yelling and screaming. As Deputy Wallace opened the screen door she found the interior door was locked. The caller was heard telling Houk that the Sheriff’s Office was outside. Deputy Wallace observed a female holding a handgun and acting erratic once the door opened. Houk was instructed to put the gun down and step outside to speak with officers. Houk complied with the instructions and the firearm was secured by officers. Officers located a spent round and another round on the floor. Houk continued screaming that someone was shooting at her, and were trying to kill her. Attempts to speak with Houk were very difficult as she continued throwing herself around the porch, kicking deputies, and yelling at imaginary people. Houk was then paced in handcuffs with her resisting and holding onto the cuff with one hand. Houk continued to be non-compliant, even in handcuffs, throwing herself around the porch. Houk was escorted to the cruiser, with assistance, where she began kicking the cruiser window, kicking deputies and striking her head into the cruiser window. The caller advised he located a gunshot hole in the bottom of his stove and had standing by his table (approximately 8 feet from the stove) when he was speaking to dispatch, however was not struck. Branda Arlene Houk, age 54, 16920 State Route 550, Marietta, OH, was transported for medical treatment/consultation. Houk faces charges of attempted murder, a 1st degree felony, having weapons while under disability, a 3rd degree felony, using weapons while intoxicated, a 1st degree misdemeanor, and improperly discharging a firearm in a habitation, a 2nd degree felony.
9 Mar 2026 Sgt. Harlow responded to Warren Local schools to conduct a private property accident report where an individual had struck a gate at the entrance of the parking lot.
10 Mar 2026 at approximately 4:07 p.m. numerous deputies responded to the Whipple Run Road area due to a call from an individual who had witnessed three individuals actively breaking into property on Whipple Run Road, Fearing Township. A description of a white vehicle leaving the scene was provided by the caller, who had confronted the trio. The subjects were reported to have fled down Stark Hollow Road, with a male and female running on foot. Sgt. Huffer located the suspect vehicle and occupant, Zachary Taylor, who was quickly detained. Taylor admitted to him, Casey Taylor and Kaylan Wallace stealing items from the Whipple Run Road address and nearby campers. The initial caller had earlier checked 2 campers nearby as they had the doors standing open that were previously closed. Further investigation revealed forced entry to both of these campers. Casey Taylor and Wallace were discovered back at 4060 Sugar Run Road, Marietta, OH. Detectives conducted interviews with both Wallace and Casey. Both subjects admitted to breaking into all 3 places to steal copper and other miscellaneous items over the course of the previous 2 days. Casey Steven Taylor, age 34, 4060 Sugar Run Road, Marietta, OH, Kaylan Renea Wallace, age 35, lka: 12270 State Route 60, Lowell, OH, and Zachary Ryan Taylor, age 26, lka: 2300 Sand Hill Road, Marietta, OH, were all placed under arrest and transported to the Washington County Jail. All three subjects were charged with breaking and entering, a 5th degree felony, and criminal trespass, a 4th degree misdemeanor. Subjects appeared in Marietta Municipal Court on 11 Mar 2026. Casey Taylor is being held on $2,500 + PR bond, Wallace is being held on $3,500 + PR bond, and Zachary Taylor is being held without bond.
The following individuals were processed into the Washington County Jail between 6 Mar 2026 to 10 Mar 2026:
Fredrick James Peoples, Jr., age 19, Akron, OH, possessing of fentanyl related compound, trafficking in drugs and tampering with evidence, all felonies.
Ronald Caleb Carpenter, age 29, Marietta, OH, OVI alcohol, drug of abuse or both, failure to comply with order or signal of PO, and driving under suspension, all misdemeanors.
Lucas Alan Heiss, age 46, Waterford, OH, contempt of court (Pickaway County).
Charles Ray Wilson, age 53, Parkersburg, WV, theft, a felony.
Samantha Marie Leak, age 32, Parkersburg, WV, theft and breach of recognizance, both misdemeanors.
Michael David Blind, age 47, driving under suspension, a misdemeanor.
Mark Everett Swaney, age 59, criminal trespass and breach of recognizance, both misdemeanors.
Quintin Avery William Ramirez, age 34, Little Hocking, OH, probation violation, a misdemeanor.
Keith Allen Huff, age 42, Marietta, OH, unlawful restraint, a misdemeanor, and domestic violence, a felony.
Kyle Allyn May, age 32, Akron, OH, driving under suspension, a misdemeanor.
Mitchell Allen Parsons, age 44, Belpre, OH, probation violation, a felony.
Casey Steven Taylor, age 34, Marietta, OH, breaking and entering, a felony, and criminal trespass, a misdemeanor.
Zachary Ryan Taylor, age 26, Marietta, OH, breaking and entering, a felony, and criminal trespass, a misdemeanor.
Kaylan Renea Wallace, age 35, Marietta, OH, breaking and entering, a felony, and criminal trespass, a misdemeanor.
