The Ross County Grand Jury returned all 16 of their cases Friday, April 26th, 2024, with nine open for release to the public. From testimony in the grand jury in one of the cases, according to the Ross County Prosecutor’s Office:
Previously indicted 34-year-old Ethan A. Depugh of Lunbeck Road has additional drug indictments.
On December 8th a woman was driving around with Depugh as a passenger, when he accused her of stealing $100 from him. She said she didn’t know what he was talking about, and he started assaulting her.
When they were on East 7th Street, she bailed out, and Depugh slid over to the driver’s seat and drove off with the car. The woman did not own the car and she notified the owner that Depugh had taken it. The car was found a week later sitting on South Bridge Street.
On February 18th, an officer tried to stop a Honda Accord with no tag lights after the driver failed to use a turn signal while turning onto Three Locks Road. Depugh accelerated but crashed the car into railroad tracks on Toad Hollow Road.
A large plastic bag was found crammed into the space under the glove box, containing a large amount of crystalline and other substances.
Lab tests have now confirmed the drugs:
- 157 grams of methamphetemine
- 23.51 grams of cocaine
- 3.48 grams of a fentanyl-related compound
…Leading to new grand jury indictments:
- First-degree felony aggravated possession of drugs, worth up to 11 years and $20,000 in fines.
- Second-degree felony possession of cocaine, worth up to eight years and $15,000 in fines.
- Fourth-degree felony possession of a fentanyl-related compound, worth up to 1 1/2 years and $5,000 in fines.
- Third-degree felony failure to comply with a police officer, worth up to 3 years and $10,000 in fines.
For the previous indictments on fourth degree grand theft of a motor vehicle and misdemeanor assault, Depugh could get up to two years and $6,000 in fines from this case.
In total, Depugh could get up to 25 1/2 years in prison and $56,000 in fines.
Find the article on the Scioto Post.
Kevin Coleman covers local government and culture for the Scioto Post and iHeart Media Southern Ohio. For stories or questions, contact Kevin Coleman or the iHeart Southern Ohio Newsroom.
34-year-old Ethan A. Depugh of Lunbeck Road