Huron County grand jury indicts 18

A Huron County grand jury has indicted 18 suspects. Eight of the cases are drug-related and six others are in connection with a burglary or break-in.Several of the defendants were arraigned Monday and entered "not guilty" pleas to their charges in Huron County Common Pleas Court. Grand jurors met Friday, but the results weren't available until Monday.Kevin M. Czupik, 26, of 2968 Ohio 99, Willard, is charged with one count of conveying contraband into a detention facility and tampering with evidence. Each of the third-degree felonies are in connection with a Nov. 4 incident. If convicted, he faces nine months to three years in prison on each charge.Czupik, whose bond was set at $30,000, has a trial date of Feb. 2. If he posts bail, he is subject to random drug screens. The other defendants who were indicted Friday are:• Dustin C. Alsept, 23, of 3764 E. U.S. 224, Lot 88, Greenwich, on breaking and entering in connection with a June 20 incident. • Bethany A. Brinkmeier, 19, of 369 W. Broadway St., Plymouth, on theft in connection with an incident between July 20 and Aug. 6.• Aleisha A. Cole, 26, of Mansfield, on possession of heroin in connection with a Sept. 5 incident.• Samantha S. Counts, 28, of 18 Morley Drive, on one count each of trafficking in Alprazolam and trafficking in oxycodone in connection with respective controlled drug buys on July 20 and 29. Judge Jim Conway released her on a personal recognizance bond Monday. That means she signed a court document without paying money and promised to appear for future hearings. Her trial date is March 10.• Michael L. Drummond, 25, of Attica, on complicity to burglary in connection with an Oct. 23 incident.• Sean M. Fortner, 27, of 28 Summit St., on possession of Fentanyl in connection with an Aug. 23 incident.• Seth M. Hay, 22, of Upper Sandusky, on breaking and entering in connection with an Oct. 26 incident.• Heather M. Hodgkinson, 35, most recently of 60 W. Seminary St., on trafficking in Buprenorphine/Naloxone in connection with a July 15 controlled drug buy. Her bond was set Monday at $5,000 and her trial date is March 10. Hodgkinson faces a pending probation violation in the same court.• Brandon DeJohn Murphy, 23, of 24 Bank St., on three counts of trafficking in cocaine in connection with respective controlled drug buys on Oct. 12, 13 and 16. His trial date is March 1.Murphy, who has prior felony convictions, said he is on post-release control. Parole officers have placed him on electronically-monitored house arrest. He must post a $5,000 bond before being released from jail.• Leslie V. Nims, 47, of 67-A Grove Ave., on possession of cocaine in connection with a Sept. 12 incident.• Johnathon M. Riggleman, 22, of 5810 U.S. 20, Lot 23, Wakeman, on complicity to burglary and theft of a firearm in connection with a Nov. 15 incident. • Ricardo J. Silva, 26, of 605 Peru Olena Road, on trafficking in heroin in connection with a March 5 controlled drug buy.• Anthony M.C. Simpson, 20, of 5810 U.S. 20, Lot 78, Wakeman, on complicity to burglary and theft of a firearm in connection with a Nov. 15 incident.• Christopher G. Stanford, 48, of 3 E. Willard Ave., on two counts of trafficking in oxycodone in connection with controlled drug buys on July 2 and 9. He goes to trial March 3. Stanford's bond is $5,000.• Cory P. Young, 19, of 5810 U.S. 20, Lot 78, Wakeman, on complicity to burglary and theft of firearms in connection with a Nov. 15 incident. According to his indictment, he is accused of using a 1994 Chevrolet S-10 pickup truck to commit the suspected crimes.In other action Friday, grand jurors transferred two first-degree misdemeanor cases to Norwalk Municipal Court for further, possible prosecution.• Crystal A. Ribaric, 28, of Elyria, faces assault in connection with an Aug. 3 incident.• Christopher S.F. Stanley, 39, of 5810 E. U.S. 20, Lot 78, Wakeman, is charged with theft in connection with a Nov. 3 incident. RigglemanCzupikYoung