#belmontcountyprosecutor

[ledenews]

Belmont County Grand Jury Indicts Indiana Man for Nationwide Computer & Phone Scams

Abdul Mohammed of Indianapolis, Indiana, was recently served with an indictment returned by the Belmont County grand jury, according to a press release distributed by Belmont County Prosecutor Kevin Flanagan. Flanagan stated that the indictment stems from allegations that Mohammed was a participant in a nationwide computer and phone scam that targeted certain individuals, including a resident of Belmont County. Flanagan said that the Belmont County case actually started with the arrest and prosecution of an individual from China, Siqi Yu, who unlawfully entered the country through Mexico and requested asylum. Months later, Yu joined a group that was targeting individuals through a computer and phone scam. One such person targeted was from Belmont County, according to Flanagan. Yu’s role was to travel throughout the country and collect money from unsuspecting victims of the scam. Flanagan said that Mohammed’s role, according to the recently returned indictment, is similar to Yu’s role. Both, according to Flanagan, were utilized by other members of the scam to travel long distances to personally collect the money from the victims and return the money to the members of the criminal organization.   While Flanagan could not get into the details of Mohammed’s involvement given that the case is ongoing, he did say that it was actually members of the Penn County Sheriff’s Office in South Dakota that notified the Belmont County Sheriff’s Office about Mohammed’s possible involvement with the victim from Belmont County.  Flanagan said, “The evidence will show that we knew one of our residents turned over cash to multiple individuals on at least 4-5 occasions. Other than Yu, who was arrested while trying to collect money from our victim, the identities of the other individuals were not known. That was until we received the call from South Dakota.” Flanagan added that the Penn County authorities provided cellular telephone data that connects Mohammed to Belmont County and specifically to the same victim as in the Yu case. Flanagan noted that the Yu case ended in 2025, and he received a sentence of eight to twelve years in prison. At the time, Yu and his attorney claimed that he was just a small part of the scam and that he should not receive a prison sentence. “Obviously, we disagreed with that argument and Judge Vavra imposed the appropriate sentence for Yu, under the circumstances. We were also able to get a greater sentence by elevating the charge because of the crime being a ‘pattern of corrupt activity’ which is also known as a RICO indictment. We did the same thing in Mohammed’s case as well,” said the prosecutor. Flanagan said that court proceedings will begin when Mohammed is returned from South Dakota where he is currently being held pending extradition to Belmont County.    Read the full article

[ledenews]

Romina Harris Found Guilty of Drug, Gun Charges in Belmont County

Belmont County Prosecutor Kevin Flanagan announced the guilty verdicts in a drug trafficking trial, which concluded Friday evening.

Romina Harris was found guilty by a jury on two counts of drug trafficking, two counts of drug possession, and improperly transporting a firearm in a motor vehicle, according to Flanagan. The prosecutor said that the drug charges included 25 grams of fentanyl and 55 grams of cocaine.

Flanagan said that Harris previously pled guilty to possession of criminal tools and conspiracy to illegally convey drugs into a prison stemming from the same incident. He explained that despite the admissions to the other charges, she maintained her innocence regarding the drugs and firearms that were found in a vehicle that she was driving.

Flanagan then elaborated on how the case started. The prosecutor said that information was shared by the Jefferson County Drug Task Force and the Ohio State Highway Patrol on March 27, 2025, that Harris and others, all from Steubenville, were traveling to Columbus to receive a large shipment of drugs.

Upon their return on the next day, according to Flanagan, members of the Drug Unit of the Belmont County Sheriff’s Office were waiting and stopped the vehicle. Flanagan said that the Drug Unit followed protocol and searched the vehicle finding a large amount of drugs and two loaded firearms.

Flanagan explained that the State’s theory of the case, as presented by Assistant Prosecutor Joe Vavra at trial, was that Harris and other defendants possessed drugs in order to not only sell but to get them into a prison facility in Ohio believed to be Madison Correctional Institution. Flanagan said that in addition to the drugs, a drone was found in the search as well as tobacco and cell phones.

Flanagan said that his office believed that the cell phones as well as the drugs were to be illegally conveyed into the prison using the drone. Flanagan further explained the seriousness of drugs and cellular telephones getting into the hands of prisoners.

“Drugs in the prison, especially Fentanyl, can do so much damage. The amount of Fentanyl that was recovered could have had tragic implications if it ever got behind prison walls,” the prosecutor explained. “Also, cell phones are often attempted to be smuggled into prisons.

“This allows an inmate to communicate with the outside world without being monitored. That, too, is extremely dangerous,” said Flanagan.  

Flanagan noted that Harris’ brother, Marcus Harris, is currently incarcerated in Madison Correctional for murder and a sentence of life without parole. Flanagan said that it is believed that the contraband was intended for him.  

Flanagan explained that the jury was out for less than two hours on Friday, May 1, before delivering their guilty verdicts. Flanagan credited a number of people with involvement in the investigation. He said that the Drug Unit of the Belmont County Sheriff’s Office showed their willingness to assist other departments and that willingness was the key to this case. Det. Dustin Hildebrand and others from the Sheriff’s Office helped prevent a large amount of drugs and cell phones from entering Madison Correctional.

Flanagan also credited investigators R. Kammer and J. Thomas of Madison Correctional, the Jefferson County Drug Task Force and the Ohio Highway Patrol for working as a team and sharing the information needed to not only effectuate an arrest but to also earn a conviction.

And finally, Flanagan praised the work of Assistant Prosecutor Joe Vavra. He said that few realize the amount of time and effort that is put forth to prepare a case for trial.

“Most only see the finished product. However, our cases require a substantial amount of preparation and that is exactly what Joe did in this case. That preparation led to the appropriate outcome in this case, and we appreciate all that he does for us and the people of this county,” said Flanagan.     

Flanagan noted that sentencing will occur on May 18 before the Honorable Chris Berhalter in the Belmont County Court of Common Pleas.    

[ledenews]

Romina Harris Found Guilty Oof Drug, Gun Charges in Belmont County

Belmont County Prosecutor Kevin Flanagan announced the guilty verdicts in a drug trafficking trial, which concluded Friday evening. Romina Harris was found guilty by a jury on two counts of drug trafficking, two counts of drug possession, and improperly transporting a firearm in a motor vehicle, according to Flanagan. The prosecutor said that the drug charges included 25 grams of fentanyl and 55 grams of cocaine. Flanagan said that Harris previously pled guilty to possession of criminal tools and conspiracy to illegally convey drugs into a prison stemming from the same incident. He explained that despite the admissions to the other charges, she maintained her innocence regarding the drugs and firearms that were found in a vehicle that she was driving. Flanagan then elaborated on how the case started. The prosecutor said that information was shared by the Jefferson County Drug Task Force and the Ohio State Highway Patrol on March 27, 2025, that Harris and others, all from Steubenville, were traveling to Columbus to receive a large shipment of drugs. Upon their return on the next day, according to Flanagan, members of the Drug Unit of the Belmont County Sheriff’s Office were waiting and stopped the vehicle. Flanagan said that the Drug Unit followed protocol and searched the vehicle finding a large amount of drugs and two loaded firearms. Flanagan explained that the State’s theory of the case, as presented by Assistant Prosecutor Joe Vavra at trial, was that Harris and other defendants possessed drugs in order to not only sell but to get them into a prison facility in Ohio believed to be Madison Correctional Institution. Flanagan said that in addition to the drugs, a drone was found in the search as well as tobacco and cell phones. Flanagan said that his office believed that the cell phones as well as the drugs were to be illegally conveyed into the prison using the drone. Flanagan further explained the seriousness of drugs and cellular telephones getting into the hands of prisoners. “Drugs in the prison, especially Fentanyl, can do so much damage. The amount of Fentanyl that was recovered could have had tragic implications if it ever got behind prison walls,” the prosecutor explained. “Also, cell phones are often attempted to be smuggled into prisons. “This allows an inmate to communicate with the outside world without being monitored. That, too, is extremely dangerous,” said Flanagan.   Flanagan noted that Harris’ brother, Marcus Harris, is currently incarcerated in Madison Correctional for murder and a sentence of life without parole. Flanagan said that it is believed that the contraband was intended for him.   Flanagan explained that the jury was out for less than two hours on Friday, May 1, before delivering their guilty verdicts. Flanagan credited a number of people with involvement in the investigation. He said that the Drug Unit of the Belmont County Sheriff’s Office showed their willingness to assist other departments and that willingness was the key to this case. Det. Dustin Hildebrand and others from the Sheriff’s Office helped prevent a large amount of drugs and cell phones from entering Madison Correctional. Flanagan also credited investigators R. Kammer and J. Thomas of Madison Correctional, the Jefferson County Drug Task Force and the Ohio Highway Patrol for working as a team and sharing the information needed to not only effectuate an arrest but to also earn a conviction. And finally, Flanagan praised the work of Assistant Prosecutor Joe Vavra. He said that few realize the amount of time and effort that is put forth to prepare a case for trial. “Most only see the finished product. However, our cases require a substantial amount of preparation and that is exactly what Joe did in this case. That preparation led to the appropriate outcome in this case, and we appreciate all that he does for us and the people of this county,” said Flanagan.      Flanagan noted that sentencing will occur on May 18 before the Honorable Chris Berhalter in the Belmont County Court of Common Pleas.     Read the full article

[ledenews]

Carson Sentenced in Belmont County Common Pleas Court

The sentencing of Thomas Edward Carson today should ensure that he never gets out of prison, according to Prosecutor Kevin Flanagan. Flanagan explained that a sentence of 18 years to life most likely means that Carson’s total sentence will include him never being released.  --------------- BACKGROUND: In early September 2025, detectives with the Belmont County Sheriff’s Office began an investigation into a reported rape of a twelve-year-old. After a thorough investigation, 47-year-old Thomas Edward Carson of Bellaire, Ohio, was charged with Rape of a Minor Under 13 in Eastern Division Court in Belmont County. The U.S. Marshals Service (Northern District of West Virginia), the Bellaire Police Department, the Martins Ferry Police Department, the Belmont County Child Protective Services, and the Wheeling Police Department. --------------- Flanagan added that Carson’s criminal history shows an individual that cannot function outside of prison walls. As Judge Chris Berhalter pointed out, Flanagan stated that Carson has had a series of criminal offenses for which he has done prior prison sentences. Flanagan noted six prior felonies as well as juvenile and misdemeanor offenses. None, according to Flanagan, included child sexual assault, until now.  Flanagan said that based on a very comprehensive investigation by the Belmont County Sheriff's Office, it was determined that Carson started to have sexual contact with at least one child that was known to him. Flanagan said that the mother of that child was also prosecuted for an obstructing charge for which she, too, received a prison sentence. Flanagan added that the Department of Job and Family Services (DJFS) and his office filed a complaint in juvenile court to remove all children from her custody, permanently. Flanagan explained that his office believes that she has forfeited any right to regaining the children in the future, even after her release from custody. Flanagan said a ruling on that hearing is pending.       As far as Carson being released on parole, Flanagan said that it is highly doubtful given the life sentence imposed.   "What we do in cases such as these is that we will prepare everything now for the parole board. Therefore, in 18 years, all documents detailing this horrific crime will be in possession of the board. The board will have everything that they need to deny parole if ever Carson becomes eligible. This includes Carson's numerous criminal violations and prison sentences that occurred before this incident," according to Flanagan. "Simply put, Carson should never, ever be released from prison. He was a menace before given his prior theft, gun and drug charges. Now, he is a child sex abuser. In my opinion, he should never be let out.” Flanagan gave an example of another case that he handled in 1997 where the individual received a 10-to-50-year sentence. "That individual has already been denied parole and will not see the parole board again until 2029. If that individual has not been released, I think it is unlikely that Carson ever earns his release.” Flanagan closed by saying that detectives Jason Schwarck and Jordan Blumling of the Belmont County Sheriff's Office, members of DJFS and others deserve significant credit. The investigation was so thorough and comprehensive that it allowed for the potential life sentence without the child-victim ever having to testify. "A good investigation provides a solid foundation and is important in these cases given the vulnerabilities of the children we deal with in our prosecutions. We are immensely grateful for that level of investigation," said Flanagan.   Read the full article

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Belmont County Prosecutor: 'We Are Disappointed'

During today's pre-trial hearing for double murder defendant in Belmont County, Common Pleas Judge Chris Berhalter granted the defense's motion for a continuance. In reaction, Belmont County Prosecutor Kevin Flanagan released the following statement: "We are disappointed with the request for a continuance by the defense. However, if more time is needed to prepare for their case, we understand the process and their responsibilities to their client. As we were with the March trial date, we will be ready whenever the trial is reset." Griffin was arrested in Hilo, Hawaii, on Feb. 18th by Chief Det. Ryan Aller and Det.-Sergeant Jordan Blumling. Read the full article

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Belmont County Prosecutor Flanagan Releases 'Year in Review'

Belmont County Prosecutor Kevin Flanagan gave a “Year In Review” of many of the cases handled by his office for 2025. Flanagan said that the docket was filled with some very important cases from violent crimes to serious drug offenses as well as many others. The prosecutor said that the office handled a multitude of trials and other criminal proceedings and was very pleased with the outcomes. Belmont County Prosecutor Kevin Flanagan experienced a busy year in 2025, including cases involving murder, drug trafficking, and public safety. Flanagan said that the attempted murder case of truck driver Malcolm Williams was a trial that required many hours and resources. The incident occurred on January 30, 2024, and was tried in 2025. In that case, Williams pulled to the side of I-470 pretending that he was going to provide aid to another disabled trucker. Instead, he shot the other truck driver in the face. Flanagan said that the scariest part about this is that there was no provocation. “We simply still have no motive. He pulled over to the side of the road, walked to the other truck driver and shot him in the face. He then got back in his truck and continued his route,” according to Flanagan. He added that Williams was convicted at trial and received a sentence of 14-19.5 years. https://ledenews.com/trial-for-alleged-truck-driving-shooter-begins-today-in-belmont-county-courthouse/ The prosecutor said that 2025 also saw the trial of the mayor of Holloway, Ohio. In that case, Joseph Schaeffer was convicted of threats made to the Office of the Belmont County Auditor. Schaeffer threatened to blow up the courthouse over a disagreement he had with the auditor’s office. The prosecutor said that Schaeffer’s actions scared the employees of that office and such conduct simply could not be tolerated. That trial occurred in June 2025 resulting in a jail sentence for Schaeffer.   Flanagan also said that the Drug Unit from the Belmont County Sheriff’s Office as well as many other local law enforcement agencies were very active in 2025. “They are always looking to thwart drug activity before it begins. They are very proactive and launched a number of raids on various motel rooms and rental properties. We had some multi-year investigations come together in late 2024 to 2025 that focused on those bringing drugs in or through Belmont County. In that timeframe, we had five individual drug cases involving people from outside of this area culminating in combined sentences of over 80 years,” according to Flanagan. https://ledenews.com/belmont-county-sheriffs-office-releases-info-on-drug-arrests/ Flanagan also added that there were a number of cases that the office argued in 2025 in front of the Seventh Appellate District which is located in Mahoning County. Notably, the case of Siqi Yu who was a participant in a nationwide scam. In the Yu case, the prosecution argued that Yu’s conviction should be upheld. The prosecutor explained that Yu was one of many individuals who perpetrated a scam to defraud money by computer or telephone. Yu, who crossed into the country illegally and then sought asylum, had the job of traveling around the country to collect money from victims who were scammed by other members of a criminal organization. “I have zero tolerance for scammers. They prey upon vulnerable people and many times, deplete the life savings of these folks. Siqi Yu got an 8-11 year sentence, and he deserves every day of it,” said Flanagan. While we only had one victim from Belmont County in this particular scam, we indicted the case under a law known as “Pattern of Corrupt Activity” which gave us the ability to elevate Yu’s sentence, according to the prosecutor. The Seventh Appellate District upheld the conviction of Yu in 2025 and the Ohio Supreme Court refused to hear any additional appeal from Yu. Flanagan said that he anticipates his office will present other individuals associated with the scam to the Belmont County Grand Jury in the coming months. Flanagan was an intern with the county's Prosecutor's Office when he first came out of law school about 30 years ago. “We plan to go after as many individuals involved with this scam as we can. The fact that we have a Belmont County victim gives us the jurisdiction to do so,” according to Flanagan.  The prosecutor’s office also argued in front of the Ohio Supreme Court in 2025 on a case wherein the prosecution asked the Supreme Court to keep the conviction of Timothy Bradley in place after it was vacated by the appellate court. Flanagan expects a decision on that matter in early 2026. Flanagan said that every year there are always, unfortunately, a number of sex offense cases that the office prosecutes. He said the case that garnered the highest sex offense sentence involved an individual who got a 10 years to life sentence. The prosecutor explained that the individual could spend the remainder of his life in prison but does become eligible to see the parole board in 10 years. Based on past practices of the parole board, Flanagan believes that parole is unlikely for several decades given the nature of the offense.  https://ledenews.com/murder-suspects-discovered-arrested-in-belmont-county/ Domestic violence cases are always on the court’s docket, and Flanagan said that 2025 was no different. He said those cases can be difficult as the named victim sometimes does not want to cooperate against the person charged given their relationship with that person. Flanagan said this occurred in an arson case that he tried in 2025 involving Robert Linde. In that case, Linde caused a fire in a bedroom during an argument where he and the victim were present. The fire quickly spread throughout the room and caused a substantial risk of danger to others living in the housing complex. “This was an attempt to harass and intimidate the victim, and it ended up putting several lives in danger and causing significant damage to the complex. When it came time for trial, our victim did not want to cooperate. We moved forward, anyway, and were able to secure the conviction with a 10-14 year sentence. He will also have to register as an arsonist for the remainder of his life,” said Flanagan.  Also, many of the cases that were presented for prosecution in 2025 to our grand juries over the last year will be heard in 2026, according to Flanagan. One such case is the double homicide of Angela and Thomas Strussion which occurred in 2021. Andrew Griffin was indicted in February 2025 on capital murder charges and trial is scheduled for March 2, 2026. https://ledenews.com/strussion-murders-library-of-links-on-tragedy-defendant-andrew-griffin/ Flanagan said that the prosecutor’s office is tasked with many obligations in addition to criminal proceedings, including being involved in parole hearings with the Ohio Parole Authority on cases that originated in Belmont County. Flanagan said that 2025 was unique as there were three separate parole hearings involving Belmont County homicide cases. Flanagan said that he attended all three and provided letters arguing against parole. The prosecutor said that that some of these cases originated several decades ago. The first parole hearing that he attended in 2025 was the case of John R. Fulkerson who was charged with killing his four-year-old daughter in 1981. Fulkerson was again denied parole. Flanagan said that Leroy Charley was the second homicide case for the year where parole was denied. Flanagan said that he actually tried that case in 2005 as a special prosecutor assigned to handle the matter by then-Prosecutor Chris Berhalter given a conflict with that office’s representation. Flanagan said the last parole hearing of 2025 for his office was that of Nathan Brooks. Brooks, a juvenile at the time, was charged with killing his parents in 1995, a case that captivated the Ohio Valley and garnered national attention when it occurred. Flanagan said that his parole was also denied. https://ledenews.com/prosecutor-flanagan-i-dont-think-nathan-brooks-will-ever-be-paroled/ Flanagan said that the prosecutor’s office is tasked with representing the elected officials of Belmont County as their counsel on matters involving county business. One such matter was the tax foreclosure against East Ohio Regional Hospital. Flanagan said that Treasurer Katherine Kelich advised his office in May 2025 that it was now time to seek foreclosure as the delinquent taxes were not being paid pursuant to an agreement between the hospital and the treasurer. Flanagan said a foreclosure action was then filed. Flanagan also added that other independent investigations are ongoing relating to wages owed to hospital employees. “We know that there is a civil suit ongoing to recoup money owed to the employees. This office has also requested an independent investigation by local law enforcement and the FBI, and we are awaiting their findings. As soon as we receive those reports, we will determine whether criminal charges are warranted,” said the prosecutor. As for 2026, Flanagan said it is a continued commitment to the victims and also to each of the local law enforcement officers that we work with on a daily basis that keeps us moving forward. The prosecutor added, “for every case that we handled in 2025, and all other previous years, there is a partnership with our local law enforcement agencies that helped secure the outcome. Our officers deserve so much of the credit for the cases that they investigate and submit to our office for prosecution. Also, in many of our cases, there is a victim of a crime that suffers unjustly. It is our job to make sure that victims receive the satisfaction of knowing that we heard their voice and stood up for them in court.” The members of the Belmont County Prosecutor's Office had a very busy 2025. Flanagan ended by saying that the prosecutor’s office has grown over the last few years to keep up with the demands. “Our staff is wonderful and committed to a common goal. Each works very hard towards the success of the office, and we are so fortunate that they are with us. As far as expansion, the growth of the office directly corresponds with our ability to handle the cases the way that we do. In addition to our staff, our commissioners, past and present, deserve a lot of credit for recognizing the work that we do and the needs of the office. The new facility that we moved into in 2021 absolutely serves our needs and provides a place to meet with victims in a dignified and professional manner. We appreciate their support,” said Flanagan. https://ledenews.com/lede-news-top-stories-of-2025/ https://ledenews.com/ledes-2025-person-of-the-year-belmont-county-sheriff-james-zusack/ Read the full article

[ledenews]

Belmont County Prosecutor Flanagan Releases 'Year in Review'

Belmont County Prosecutor Kevin Flanagan gave a “Year In Review” of many of the cases handled by his office for 2025. Flanagan said that the docket was filled with some very important cases from violent crimes to serious drug offenses as well as many others. The prosecutor said that the office handled a multitude of trials and other criminal proceedings and was very pleased with the outcomes. Belmont County Prosecutor Kevin Flanagan experienced a busy year in 2025, including cases involving murder, drug trafficking, and public safety. Flanagan said that the attempted murder case of truck driver Malcolm Williams was a trial that required many hours and resources. The incident occurred on January 30, 2024, and was tried in 2025. In that case, Williams pulled to the side of I-470 pretending that he was going to provide aid to another disabled trucker. Instead, he shot the other truck driver in the face. Flanagan said that the scariest part about this is that there was no provocation. “We simply still have no motive. He pulled over to the side of the road, walked to the other truck driver and shot him in the face. He then got back in his truck and continued his route,” according to Flanagan. He added that Williams was convicted at trial and received a sentence of 14-19.5 years. https://ledenews.com/trial-for-alleged-truck-driving-shooter-begins-today-in-belmont-county-courthouse/ The prosecutor said that 2025 also saw the trial of the mayor of Holloway, Ohio. In that case, Joseph Schaeffer was convicted of threats made to the Office of the Belmont County Auditor. Schaeffer threatened to blow up the courthouse over a disagreement he had with the auditor’s office. The prosecutor said that Schaeffer’s actions scared the employees of that office and such conduct simply could not be tolerated. That trial occurred in June 2025 resulting in a jail sentence for Schaeffer.   Flanagan also said that the Drug Unit from the Belmont County Sheriff’s Office as well as many other local law enforcement agencies were very active in 2025. “They are always looking to thwart drug activity before it begins. They are very proactive and launched a number of raids on various motel rooms and rental properties. We had some multi-year investigations come together in late 2024 to 2025 that focused on those bringing drugs in or through Belmont County. In that timeframe, we had five individual drug cases involving people from outside of this area culminating in combined sentences of over 80 years,” according to Flanagan. https://ledenews.com/belmont-county-sheriffs-office-releases-info-on-drug-arrests/ Flanagan also added that there were a number of cases that the office argued in 2025 in front of the Seventh Appellate District which is located in Mahoning County. Notably, the case of Siqi Yu who was a participant in a nationwide scam. In the Yu case, the prosecution argued that Yu’s conviction should be upheld. The prosecutor explained that Yu was one of many individuals who perpetrated a scam to defraud money by computer or telephone. Yu, who crossed into the country illegally and then sought asylum, had the job of traveling around the country to collect money from victims who were scammed by other members of a criminal organization. “I have zero tolerance for scammers. They prey upon vulnerable people and many times, deplete the life savings of these folks. Siqi Yu got an 8-11 year sentence, and he deserves every day of it,” said Flanagan. While we only had one victim from Belmont County in this particular scam, we indicted the case under a law known as “Pattern of Corrupt Activity” which gave us the ability to elevate Yu’s sentence, according to the prosecutor. The Seventh Appellate District upheld the conviction of Yu in 2025 and the Ohio Supreme Court refused to hear any additional appeal from Yu. Flanagan said that he anticipates his office will present other individuals associated with the scam to the Belmont County Grand Jury in the coming months. Flanagan was an intern with the county's Prosecutor's Office when he first came out of law school about 30 years ago. “We plan to go after as many individuals involved with this scam as we can. The fact that we have a Belmont County victim gives us the jurisdiction to do so,” according to Flanagan.  The prosecutor’s office also argued in front of the Ohio Supreme Court in 2025 on a case wherein the prosecution asked the Supreme Court to keep the conviction of Timothy Bradley in place after it was vacated by the appellate court. Flanagan expects a decision on that matter in early 2026. Flanagan said that every year there are always, unfortunately, a number of sex offense cases that the office prosecutes. He said the case that garnered the highest sex offense sentence involved an individual who got a 10 years to life sentence. The prosecutor explained that the individual could spend the remainder of his life in prison but does become eligible to see the parole board in 10 years. Based on past practices of the parole board, Flanagan believes that parole is unlikely for several decades given the nature of the offense.  https://ledenews.com/murder-suspects-discovered-arrested-in-belmont-county/ Domestic violence cases are always on the court’s docket, and Flanagan said that 2025 was no different. He said those cases can be difficult as the named victim sometimes does not want to cooperate against the person charged given their relationship with that person. Flanagan said this occurred in an arson case that he tried in 2025 involving Robert Linde. In that case, Linde caused a fire in a bedroom during an argument where he and the victim were present. The fire quickly spread throughout the room and caused a substantial risk of danger to others living in the housing complex. “This was an attempt to harass and intimidate the victim, and it ended up putting several lives in danger and causing significant damage to the complex. When it came time for trial, our victim did not want to cooperate. We moved forward, anyway, and were able to secure the conviction with a 10-14 year sentence. He will also have to register as an arsonist for the remainder of his life,” said Flanagan.  Also, many of the cases that were presented for prosecution in 2025 to our grand juries over the last year will be heard in 2026, according to Flanagan. One such case is the double homicide of Angela and Thomas Strussion which occurred in 2021. Andrew Griffin was indicted in February 2025 on capital murder charges and trial is scheduled for March 2, 2026. https://ledenews.com/strussion-murders-library-of-links-on-tragedy-defendant-andrew-griffin/ Flanagan said that the prosecutor’s office is tasked with many obligations in addition to criminal proceedings, including being involved in parole hearings with the Ohio Parole Authority on cases that originated in Belmont County. Flanagan said that 2025 was unique as there were three separate parole hearings involving Belmont County homicide cases. Flanagan said that he attended all three and provided letters arguing against parole. The prosecutor said that that some of these cases originated several decades ago. The first parole hearing that he attended in 2025 was the case of John R. Fulkerson who was charged with killing his four-year-old daughter in 1981. Fulkerson was again denied parole. Flanagan said that Leroy Charley was the second homicide case for the year where parole was denied. Flanagan said that he actually tried that case in 2005 as a special prosecutor assigned to handle the matter by then-Prosecutor Chris Berhalter given a conflict with that office’s representation. Flanagan said the last parole hearing of 2025 for his office was that of Nathan Brooks. Brooks, a juvenile at the time, was charged with killing his parents in 1995, a case that captivated the Ohio Valley and garnered national attention when it occurred. Flanagan said that his parole was also denied. https://ledenews.com/prosecutor-flanagan-i-dont-think-nathan-brooks-will-ever-be-paroled/ Flanagan said that the prosecutor’s office is tasked with representing the elected officials of Belmont County as their counsel on matters involving county business. One such matter was the tax foreclosure against East Ohio Regional Hospital. Flanagan said that Treasurer Katherine Kelich advised his office in May 2025 that it was now time to seek foreclosure as the delinquent taxes were not being paid pursuant to an agreement between the hospital and the treasurer. Flanagan said a foreclosure action was then filed. Flanagan also added that other independent investigations are ongoing relating to wages owed to hospital employees. “We know that there is a civil suit ongoing to recoup money owed to the employees. This office has also requested an independent investigation by local law enforcement and the FBI, and we are awaiting their findings. As soon as we receive those reports, we will determine whether criminal charges are warranted,” said the prosecutor. As for 2026, Flanagan said it is a continued commitment to the victims and also to each of the local law enforcement officers that we work with on a daily basis that keeps us moving forward. The prosecutor added, “for every case that we handled in 2025, and all other previous years, there is a partnership with our local law enforcement agencies that helped secure the outcome. Our officers deserve so much of the credit for the cases that they investigate and submit to our office for prosecution. Also, in many of our cases, there is a victim of a crime that suffers unjustly. It is our job to make sure that victims receive the satisfaction of knowing that we heard their voice and stood up for them in court.” The members of the Belmont County Prosecutor's Office had a very busy 2025. Flanagan ended by saying that the prosecutor’s office has grown over the last few years to keep up with the demands. “Our staff is wonderful and committed to a common goal. Each works very hard towards the success of the office, and we are so fortunate that they are with us. As far as expansion, the growth of the office directly corresponds with our ability to handle the cases the way that we do. In addition to our staff, our commissioners, past and present, deserve a lot of credit for recognizing the work that we do and the needs of the office. The new facility that we moved into in 2021 absolutely serves our needs and provides a place to meet with victims in a dignified and professional manner. We appreciate their support,” said Flanagan. https://ledenews.com/lede-news-top-stories-of-2025/ https://ledenews.com/ledes-2025-person-of-the-year-belmont-county-sheriff-james-zusack/ Read the full article