Drug Indictments

CLERMONT COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE

A. J. Rodenberg, Jr., Sheriff

"Leadership By Example"

Office (513) 732-7500

Press Release

To: All Media

From: Sheriff A. J. “Tim” Rodenberg Jr.

Clermont County Sheriff

Date: Thursday, July 19, 2007

Subject: Drug Indictments

Clermont County - On July 18, 2007, two persons were indicted by the Clermont County Grand Jury by secret indictments, which have now been opened by the Court of Common Pleas. These charges relate to the Manufacture of Methamphetamine, Trafficking in Drugs, Theft of Motor Vehicles, Receiving Stolen Property, and the altering of Vehicle Identification Numbers. The defendants were also charged with Engaging in a Pattern of Corrupt Activities under Ohio’s Organized Crime Statute. Both suspects, Jarrod Messer and Karlee Pell were arrested Wednesday evening without incident in Brown County, by the Brown County Sheriff’s Office. They are currently confined in the Clermont County Jail after bond was set this morning at one million dollars.

The indictments were the result of a ten-month joint investigation between the Clermont County Narcotics Unit, Adams, Brown, Clermont, Clinton, and Highland County Sheriff’s Offices. The crimes occurred in each of these counties including the defendants’ residence in Wayne Township, Clermont County, as well as in the Commonwealth of Kentucky. During the investigation, numerous stolen vehicles, farm equipment, stolen firearms, and other items were seized as evidence. Several of the vehicles had their vehicle identification numbers altered. Additional evidence has been seized linking these individuals to the Manufacture of Methamphetamine and the Distribution of Drugs.

Additional charges may be presented to the Clermont County Grand Jury in the upcoming weeks.

The individuals indicted and their charges are:

Jarrod Messer, age 36, 6051 Marathon-Edenton Road, Blanchester, OH 45107 (Wayne Tsp – Clermont County OH):

Seven (7) counts of Receiving Stolen Property-4th degree felony
Two (2) counts of Receiving Stolen Property-5th degree felony
One (1) count of Tampering with VIN Plates-5th degree felony
Two (2) counts of Tampering with VIN Plates-4th degree felony
One (1) count of Possession of Methamphetamine-5th degree felony
Three (3) counts of Tampering with Evidence-3rd degree felony
One (1) count of Possession of Drugs-3rd degree felony
One (1) count of Trafficking in Drugs-3rd degree felony
One (1) count of Funding of Drug or Marijuana Trafficking-3rd degree felony
One (1) count of Illegal Assembly of Chemicals-3rd degree felony
One (1) count of Complicity to Manufacture-2nd degree felony
One (1) count of Engaging in a Pattern of Corrupt Activities-1st degree felony

Karlee Pell, age 24, 6051 Marathon Edenton Road, Blanchester, OH 45107
(Wayne Tsp – Clermont County OH):

Seven (7) counts of Receiving Stolen Property-4th degree felony
Three (3) counts of Receiving Stolen Property-5th degree felony
One (1) count of Tampering with VIN Plates-5th degree felony
Two (2) counts of Tampering with VIN Plates-4th degree felony
One (1) count of Possession of Drugs-5th degree felony
One (1) count of Possession of Drugs-3rd degree felony
One (1) count of Trafficking in Drugs-3rd degree felony
One (1) count of Funding of Drug or Marijuana Trafficking-3rd degree felony
One (1) count of Illegal Assembly of Chemicals-3rd degree felony
One (1) count of Weapons Under Disability-3rd degree felony
One (1) count of Engaging in a Pattern of Corrupt Activities-1st degree felony

If more information is needed please contact Don White, Clermont County Prosecutor or Daniel “Woody” Breyer assistant prosecutor at 732-7313. Jail booking photos of the subjects are available by contacting Mary Gregory at 732-7405.