Ohio State Highway Patrol "Contributing to a Safer Ohio"

Latest News

The Ohio State Highway Patrol will be conducting OVI Checkpoints in Darke and Mercer counties this week.

Troopers seize loaded handgun, heroin, marijuana and ecstasy during OVI checkpoint in Summit County

An Ohio man is facing felony drug charges after Ohio State Highway Patrol troopers seized a loaded 9 mm handgun, eight grams of heroin, a gram of marijuana and 18 ecstasy pills during an OVI checkpoint in Summit County. On May 17, troopers with the Canton Patrol post were conducting a OVI checkpoint on South Main Street, in the city of Akron when, Noah Eskridge, 23, of Akron entered the checkpoint at approximately 11:59 p.m. more

Patrol warns motorists to wear a safety belt - Click It or Ticket

Motorists who refuse to wear their safety belts – beware.  The 2013 national Click It or Ticket safety belt enforcement mobilization kicks off May 20 to help save lives by cracking down on those who don’t buckle up.

Today members of the Ohio State Highway Patrol and the Ohio Traffic Safety Office, in conjunction with the Tri-State Law Enforcement Council – which includes law enforcement agencies from Ohio, West Virginia and Kentucky – joined together at the Gallipolis City Park, along the Ohio River, to showcase their combined commitment to saving lives through safety belt enforcement. And their message was clear – Click It or Ticket. more

Troopers seize nearly $63,000 worth of Cocaine in Preble County

A man from Indiana is facing felony drug charges after Ohio State Highway Patrol troopers seized three-quarters of a kilo of cocaine, worth nearly $63,000 following a traffic stop in Preble County. Troopers stopped a 2007 Dodge Charger, with Indiana registration, for a speed violation, on Interstate 70 eastbound, near milepost 8, in Preble County at 11:20 a.m. on May 15. more

Troopers seize marijuana, Rx pills in Wood County

Troopers stopped a rented 2013 Ford Taurus, with Kentucky registration for a marked lanes violation on Interstate 75 southbound, near milepost 197, in Wood County at 12:38 a.m., on May 16. Criminal indicators were observed and a Rossford Police Department drug-sniffing canine alerted to the vehicle. A probable cause search revealed a mason jar containing hydroponic marijuana, weighing approximately 125 grams; 82 Hydrocodone pills; and six Adderall pills in the vehicle. The contraband has a street value of $1,560. The driver, Derek B. Bullington, 42, of Taylorsville, Ky., and passenger, Paul L. Witt Jr., 41, of Louisville, Ky., were incarcerated in the Wood County Justice Center and charged with two-counts of trafficking and possession in Hydrocodone, all fourth-degree felonies; and trafficking in marijuana, a fifth-degree felony. Witt was also charged with possession of Adderall, a fifth-degree felony.

Troopers seize Heroin and Rx pills on the Ohio Turnpike

One man and two women from Ohio are facing felony drug charges after Ohio State Highway Patrol troopers seized two ounces of heroin, 192 oxycodone pills and one ecstasy pill, worth approximately $17,000 following a traffic stop on the Ohio Turnpike in Summit County. Troopers stopped a rented 2012 Chevy Cruze, with Pennsylvania registration, for a marked lanes violation, on the Ohio Turnpike, near milepost 177, in Summit County at 6:47 p.m. on May 14. more

Troopers find cocaine, marijuana in Guernsey County traffic stop

Troopers stopped a 1999 Chevrolet Blazer on Interstate 77 southbound, near milepost 50 in Guernsey County at 11:12 a.m., on May 14, after a registration check of the vehicle revealed the owner’s driver license was suspended. Criminal indicators were observed and a Patrol drug-sniffing canine alerted to the vehicle. A probable cause search revealed approximately one pound of cocaine inside the dashboard of the vehicle. Troopers also located a small amount of marijuana in the rear cargo area. The contraband has an estimated street value of $39,000. The driver, Jesse Jones, 30, of Akron was incarcerated in the Guernsey County Jail and charged with possession of cocaine, a first-degree felony.

Patrol, Ohio Traffic Safety Office and the Tri-State Law Enforcement Council to kick-off Click It or Ticket in Gallipolis

Patrol focuses on motorcycle safety and enforcement

May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month

May is National Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month and the Patrol would like to remind motorists that there will be an increase in motorcycles on the roadways with the warmer weather and to remind motorcyclists to ride endorsed, trained and sober.  From 2010 – 2012 motorcycle-involved crashes resulted in 509 fatalities and more than 11,480 injuries in the state of Ohio. In 2012 alone there were 165 motorcycle-related fatalities. Of the 165 fatalities, the motorcyclist was at fault 71 percent of the time. more

Troopers find marijuana stems and buds in Columbus traffic stop

Troopers stopped a 2002 Ford Expedition, with Ohio registration for failing to display a front license plate on Livingston Avenue in the city of Columbus at 4:57 p.m., on May 13. Upon approaching the vehicle, troopers detected an odor of raw marijuana. During interaction with the passenger, he admitted to having marijuana in the vehicle’s trunk. A probable cause search of the vehicle revealed a garbage bag containing nearly 1.5 pounds of marijuana worth and estimated $3,000. The passenger, Stephen D. Thomas Jr., 22, of Columbus, Ohio, was incarcerated in the Franklin County Jail and charged with possession of marijuana, a fifth-degree felony.

Woman attempts to bring marijuana to inmate at London Correctional Institution

Troopers with the Patrol’s Office of Criminal Investigations along with Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections (DRC) investigators obtained information that, Lesley Hernandez, 36, of Findlay, Ohio planned to convey illegal narcotics into London Correctional Institution. Further investigation revealed that Hernandez had a scheduled visit for Thursday, May 9 at 2:45 p.m. with an inmate. Surveillance was conducted by troopers and DRC investigators who observed Hernandez pass the contraband to the inmate. Hernandez and the inmate were taken into custody, and troopers located and recovered 9.9 grams of marijuana. The contraband has a prison value of $400.00. Hernandez was incarcerated in the Tri-County Regional Jail and charged with attempting to convey illegal drugs into a correctional facility, a third-degree felony.

Troopers find Marijuana, Ecstasy in Lorain County

Troopers stopped a 2012 Buick LaCrosse, with South Carolina registration, for a turn signal violation on the Ohio Turnpike, near milepost 142 in Lorain County at 7:12 p.m., on May 13. During interaction with the passenger, she admitted to having a small bag of marijuana and a marijuana pipe hidden in her purse in the vehicle’s trunk. A probable cause search of the vehicle revealed a small bag of suspected marijuana, a glass pipe with burnt marijuana residue and a partially burnt marijuana cigar. Further investigation revealed a perfume box containing 596 Ecstasy pills, worth an estimated $11,000. The driver, Gordon D. Williams, 36, and passenger, Paige L. Darrington, 29, both of Cleveland, were incarcerated in the Lorain County Jail and charged with aggravated possession of  a schedule I drug and aggravated drug trafficking, both first-degree felonies. Darrington was also charged with possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia, both minor misdemeanors. If convicted each could face up to 20 years in prison and up to a $40,000 fine.

Police rescue girl during enforcement blitz

Story from the limaohio.com

LIMA – Police hit a home run May 7 when officers discovered a girl who was part of a human trafficking operation. Lima Police Chief Kevin Martin said the huge find is similar to the three women discovered last week in Cleveland after a decade of being held captive.

Operation Shield targeted driving behavior that leads to crashes and criminal activity. During the effort, officials said, officers conducted 792 traffic stops and arrested eight people for drunken driving, 31 for driving under suspension and 77 for not using a seat belt. A man in illegal possession of a handgun had it seized. He was not a licensed concealed carrier, said Ohio State Highway Patrol Capt. Gary Allen. Allen also said the blitz likely saved lives by making the roads safer.

“It’s all about contributing to making Ohio a safer place to live, and that’s exactly what we did over those two days,” Allen said. more from limaohio.com

Ohio Takes On Drugged Drivers With Specialized Training

Story from NBC4i.com

We know the dangers of drunk drivers, and every day law enforcement agencies find and arrest violators.

But a growing problem isn't just the person getting behind the wheel after drinking, but the person on drugs and driving. more from nbc4i.com

Ohio’s inspections of commercial buses are zero-tolerance

Story from dispatch.com

Defective brakes. A cracked rim. Exposed wires.

Those problems are enough to park a commercial bus in Ohio, but the coach that rolled over at the I-70/270 interchange on the West Side last week wasn’t registered here.

Each year, the State Highway Patrol inspects thousands of vehicles that carry at least 16 passengers. These zero-tolerance inspections are required before bus owners can renew their registration in June. more from the Columbus Dispatch

At least 42 arrested for OVIs in area crackdown

Law enforcement officers spent the past weekend busting people for drugs, traffic violations and soliciting prostitutes. “Operation Shield” is a statewide crackdown that happened between Thursday and Saturday when there was increased police presence everywhere. At least 42 people were picked up for intoxicated driving by Montgomery and Greene County officials in partnership with the Ohio State Highway Patrol. more

Crime Experts Working To Stop Drug Smugglers Say Sometimes It Just Takes ‘A Little Luck’

Crime experts say Ohio interstates have become a major transportation route for drug smugglers. The Ohio State Highway patrol is stepping up its efforts to intercept the shipments. Parked in the median along U.S. Route 23 near Circleville, OSP Sgt. Kevin Dillard told 10TV’s Jerry Revish about the random nature of drug traffickers that he runs into on Ohio roadways.
“They run the gamut – age, race, doesn’t matter. It’s anything and everything,” said Dillard. He said there is no telling what he will find in the next car he pulls over. He stops one for following too closely behind another motorist. Just seconds into his conversation with a nervous-looking passenger, he notices something is not right. more

4-Legged Troopers Help Highway Patrol Catch Drug Smugglers

Story from 10tv.com

The Ohio State Highway Patrol seized more than $117 million worth of cash, property and drugs last year during traffic stops. They have some partners who play a key role in this effort -- partners born in the Netherlands. For Trooper Pluto, it's time for a monthly refresher course. He races to a parked car and scratches at the gas tank. Hidden inside is a packet of heroin. The usual reward for finding drugs is pride in a job well done, but for this officer..."He gets rewarded with a PVC rubber pipe," says his partner and handler Trooper Mike Wilson. Pluto is one of 34 canine troopers with the Ohio State Highway Patrol. video and more from 10tv.com

Recent Criminal Patrol Activity and Investigations

May 8, 2013

Troopers stopped a 2003 Chrysler Voyager, with New York registration for a speed violation on the Ohio Turnpike in Trumbull County at 8:00 a.m., on May 8. During interaction with the driver, he admitted to having drug paraphernalia in the vehicle. A probable cause search of the vehicle revealed a cooler containing several large and small plastic bags of marijuana, weighing approximately 2.5 pounds. Troopers also located four marijuana-laced candy bars and three marijuana-laced bonbons. The contraband has an estimated street value of $11,000. Andrew M. Ernewein, 29, and Rachel K. Ernewein, 30, both of Jamestown, N. Y., were incarcerated in the Trumbull County Jail and charged with possession of marijuana, a third-degree felony.

May 2, 2013

Two Ohio men are facing felony charges after Ohio State Highway Patrol troopers recovered stolen property worth an estimated $1,500 following a traffic stop in Erie County. Troopers stopped a 2005 Chrysler 300 for a window tint violation on Interstate 80, near milepost 121, at 12:34 p.m. Upon approaching the vehicle, troopers observed two new Dyson vacuums on the back seat along with several clothing items that had sale tags attached. During interaction with the driver, he admitted that the items were stolen. The recovered items included a Dewalt 20v cordless drill, five fitted ball caps, numerous Champs brand shirts, Nike Air Jordan sneakers and a shoe display rack. more

May 1, 2013

Two Michigan women are facing felony drug charges after Ohio State Highway Patrol troopers seized 136 grams of heroin, 129 Hydrocodone pills, 181 Xanax pills, 114 Carisoprodol pills and 54 grams of marijuana worth an estimated $60,000 during a traffic stop in Hancock County. more