Patrol stops pair trying to skip town

Van Wert independent/VWPD information

Two people who were among 17 local residents indicted on drug-related charges were caught on their way to Lima to catch a bus, according to Van Wert police detectives.

A police news release stated that Jason Lamb and Allison Hoblet, both of Van Wert, were taken into custody by troopers from the Ohio State Highway Patrol on Saturday. Van Wert police notified the Patrol after receiving a tip that Lamb and Hoblet were en route to the Lima bus station in an attempt to leave the area.

Lamb was indicted on three counts of trafficking in heroin in the vicinity of a child, all fourth-degree felonies, while Hoblet was charged with two counts of permitting drug abuse, both fifth-degree felony offenses.

Lamb and Hoblet were part of 17 people indicted on a total of 40 charges as a result of two drug investigations completed by city police. The investigations, which began in May and September 2010, netted various types of drugs, including heroin, morphine, crack cocaine, powder cocaine, Fentanyl, Klonopin and some counterfeit controlled substances during their duration.

In addition to Lamb and Hoblet, the following people were also indicted by the March session of the grand jury held this past Friday:

• Amber Baker – Two counts or trafficking in heroin (F-5).
• Zachary Baker – Three counts of trafficking in heroin in the vicinity of a school (F-4).
• Brandon Barnes – Two counts of trafficking in heroin in the vicinity of a school (F-4).
• Alyssa Bebout – One count of trafficking in heroin in the vicinity of a child (F-4).
• Jordan Black – Two counts of trafficking in heroin in the vicinity of a school (F-4), two counts of trafficking in heroin (F-5), one count of trafficking in counterfeit controlled substances in the vicinity of a school (F-4), one count of possession of heroin (F-4).
• Tasha Comment – Two counts of trafficking in heroin (F-4) and one count of trafficking in methamphetamine.
• Nathan Dunn – One count of trafficking in drugs (Fentanyl) in the vicinity of a school (F-3), and one count of trafficking in counterfeit controlled substances in the vicinity of a school (F-4).
• Ryan King – Two counts of trafficking in drugs (Fentanyl) in the vicinity of a school (F-3).
• Virginia Schrader – One count of trafficking in drugs (Lorazepam) in the vicinity of a school (F-4) and one count of trafficking in drugs (morphine) in the vicinity of a school (F-4).
• Karsten Stoller – One count of trafficking in heroin, and one count of trafficking in drugs (Klonopin), both felonies of the fifth degree.
• Joe Quevedo – Two counts of trafficking in heroin (F-5).
• Megan Wannemacher – One count of trafficking in heroin in the vicinity of a school or child (F-4).
• Stacy Young – Two counts of trafficking in heroin (F-5).

Indictments were handed down on two other people, but they have not been located as of yet. The release of their names and the charges against them will be forthcoming after they are served.

Also as part of the investigation, two motor vehicles alleged used in the commission of some of the offenses were seized by the police department.

The investigations were conducted by the VWPD Detective Bureau, with the assistance of the department’s Uniform Division, the Van Wert County Sheriff’s Department and County Prosecutor’s Office.

As part of its ongoing investigation into city drug activities, the police department urges city residents who think there may be drug activity in their neighborhood to call the Detective Bureau at 419.238.4777, or, for those who want to remain anonymous, Crime Stoppers at 419.238.STOP (7867).

Those served with indictments are to be arraigned on charges this morning, starting at 8, in Van Wert County Common Pleas Court.