ELLEFONTAINE XAMINER B E Vol. 129 Friday, October 16, 2020 No. 255 AVAILABLE DAILY ONLINE @ examiner.org Logan County grand jury indicts Helfenstine for aggravated arson the fire indicates it was intentionally set. incident involving a boy. As part of the investigation, the 2 city men face rape charges The house was destroyed by the blaze. found sexually explicit videos involving minors. BY THE EXAMINER STAFF A second count of arson was filed for a fire at the same • Dakota Thorpe, 24, of Bellefontaine, has been residence on Sept. 21, 2009. charged with five counts of rape, felonies of the first An East Liberty man who set allegedly set fire to his Helfenstine’s father, James “Martin” Helfenstine, died degree, for alleged sex acts involving a girl January, 2014. rural home in 2009 and again in 2020 was Sept. 21, 2020, at the age of 82, and the property was in and December, 2015. among 21 people indicted this week by a estate at the time of the fire. The victim told her mother of the incidents after dur- Logan County grand jury. The defendant allegedly took several firearms from the ing a talk about good touching and bad touching. Wesley A. Helfenstine, 49, of East home prior to the fire. Logan County Sheriff’s detectives investigated the alle- Liberty, has been charged with two gations. counts of aggravated arson, felonies of the Men face rape charges Other indictments named: second degree; and grand theft when the Two city men were charged with rape involving sepa- • Jerry L. Jackson, 50, of Dayton: felonious assault, a WESLEY HELFENSTINE property is a firearm or dangerous ord- rate victims under the age of 10. felony of the second degree; and domestic violence, a nance, a felony of the third degree. Patrick D. Newsome, 28, of felony of the third degree; He was taken into custody after teams of deputies from Bellefontaine, has been charged with • Caleb Jacobs, 26, of Bellefontaine: two counts of Logan, Hardin and Union counties swept through his rape, a felony of the first degree; and ille- aggravated trafficking in drugs, felonies of the fourth family’s 50-acre property at 10975 Township Road 157. He gal use of minor or impaired person in degree; aggravated trafficking in drugs, a felony of the had a .22-caliber rifle in his possession when deputies nudity-oriented material or performance, third degree; and aggravated possession of drugs, a felony found him. a felony of the second degree. of the fifth degree; On Sept. 21, he allegedly set fire to the family home. Bellefontaine police detectives began PATRICK NEWSOME Logan County Prosecutor Eric Stewart said the origin of investigating Newsome after a September See GRAND JURY on Next Page Ohio inmates' gun penalties under review after court ruling COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) sive review of inmate case inmates' recalculated sen- The full review is years to his sentence. with that whole second sen- — An undetermined num- files Monday aimed at tences to judges starting expected to take through Fraley, 64, began what tence “to be served concur- ber of Ohio inmates who determining exactly how Friday. The judges will be the end of the year. had been a 13-year prison rent” to the first. are serving additional time many prisoners' sentences asked to reply within 21 The undertaking was sentence at London Fraley contended that because firearms were may need to be adjusted as days. prompted by a Sept. 15 deci- Correctional Facility in 2011. meant his second gun involved in their crimes a result of the September “For the new entry, they sion by the Ohio Supreme After being convicted and specification should over- could see their sentences decision, said Jocelyn need to let us know if they Court in the case of inmate paroled for earlier crimes, he lap the first, which would reduced in light of a recent Lowe, the department's think that they need to Charles Fraley. He success- was sent there on several bring his sentence to 10 court ruling, a top lawyer assistant chief counsel. fully challenged the way the new charges. In one case, he years. The prisons depart- clarify the entry in order to for the state prison system Three staffers have been state calculated his gun- received a seven-year sen- ment disagreed, saying the told The Associated Press. assigned full-time to the make sure that it complies related penalties, known as tence plus a three-year gun three-year gun specifica- The Ohio Department of job, she said, with the goal with their intent when they gun specifications, in a man- penalty. In a separate case, tions were both required Rehabilitation and of getting the first letters sentenced the individual,” ner that the court agreed he received five years plus a to be served, bringing his Correction began a mas- laying out affected Lowe said. erroneously added three three-year gun penalty — sentence to 13 years. eMail: [email protected] BELLEFONTAINE EXAMINER ONLINE @ examiner.org HUBBARD PUBLISHING CO. Local & State PO Box 40 • Bellefontaine, OH 43311 An independent daily newspa- n LOCAL NOTES per Founded in 1891 _____________ by E.O. & H.K. Hubbard Grand jury Bellefontaine First United Methodist Issued daily except Sunday at Continued from Page 1 fourth degree; 127 E. Chillicothe Ave. • Steven J. Zirkle, 60, of Lakeview: felo- Church hosts drive-thru dinner MEMBER OF THE: • Eric S. Oberly, 34, of Bellefontaine: nious assault, a felony of the second Bellefontaine First United Methodist Church hosts a Ohio Newspaper Association and misdemeanor petty theft; four counts of degree; two counts of menacing by stalk- the Inland Daily Press Association theft, felonies of the fifth degree; and ing, felonies of the fourth degree; and drive-thru dinner from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. • The Associated Press • Ohio misdemeanor unauthorized use of a vehi- misdemeanor domestic violence; 22. League of Home Dailies cle; • Jeremy L. Williams, 43, of Lima: The menu includes meat loaf, potatoes, vegetable and dessert. The meal is free, but donations are accepted. PUBLISHER: JON HUBBARD • Ryan J. Parmer, 27, at large: aggravat- improperly handling firearms in a motor GENERAL MANAGER: T.J. HUBBARD ed possession of drugs, a felony of the vehicle, a felony of the fourth degree; EDITOR: NATE SMITH fifth degree; aggravated trafficking in possession of cocaine, a felony of the fifth EMA Board, Local Emergency ADVERTISING DIRECTOR: BOB CHAPMAN drugs, a felony of the fourth degree; degree; and illegal use or possession of CIRCULATION MANAGER: Planning Committee meetings slated JILL THOMAS attempted trafficking in a controlled sub- drug paraphernalia, a misdemeanor of stance analog, a felony of the second the fourth degree; The Logan County Local Emergency Executive Policy SUBSCRIPTION RATES degree; attempted aggravated trafficking • Ashley K. Hurless, 31, of Somerset, Committee (EMA Board) meets for a regular session at 8 Delivered by carrier, per week ...$2.40 in drugs, a felony of the third degree; and a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 21, at the Logan County Emergency Ky.: illegal assembly or possession of By motor route, per week...........$2.40 counterfeiting, a felony of the fourth Management Agency office, 1855 W. State Route 47. chemicals for the manufacture of drugs, a Price of single copy.......................75¢ degree; The Logan County Local Emergency Planning By mail R.F.D. in Logan and adjoining • Andrew B. Dawson, 26, of Marysville: felony of the third degree; possessing Committee meets at 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 27, at the Counties, per year postpaid ...$125.40 misdemeanor domestic violence; two criminal tools, a felony of the fifth degree; Logan County Highway Garage for their quarterly meeting. By mail outside of Logan and counts of burglary, felonies of the second and possessing drug abuse instruments, a To attend either meeting, contact the EMA office for surrounding counties..............$147.40 degree; two counts of trespass in a habi- misdemeanor of the second degree; details at 593-5743. ONLINE Edition tation, felonies of the fourth degree; • Anthony S.M. Schubert, 25 of Five weeks .................................$9.50 attempted grand theft of a motor vehicle, Cincinnati: improperly handling firearms Thirteen weeks.........................$24.70 Domestic Violence Awareness a felony of the fifth degree; and grand in a motor vehicle, a felony of the fourth Twenty six weeks .....................$49.40 theft of a motor vehicle, a felony of the Fifty two weeks-(1 year)...........$98.80 degree; Walk slated for Oct. 18 fourth degree; Lesser periods by mail slightly more than propor- • Michael D. Bean-Breaston II, 24, at Soteria House and New Directions of TCN tionate cost of yearly rate. Mail subscriptions will • John C. Lamson, 33, of Bellefontaine: large: aggravated burglary, a felony of the Behavioral Health welcomes the community to join in a not be accepted from territories served by an improperly handling firearms in a motor Examiner newspaper courier or motor routes. first degree; felonious assault, a felony of Domestic Violence Awareness Walk Sunday, Oct. 18, at vehicle, a felony of the fourth degree; All subscriptions for papers delivered the second degree; and misdemeanor Southview Park, Bellefontaine. • Tremayne Wilson, 20, of by carrier are payable in advance at intimidation of an attorney, victim or wit- Check-in is at 1 p.m, ceremony is at 1:30 p.m. and 1- the Examiner office. No paper sent by Bellefontaine: aggravated possession of mile walk at 2 p.m. Participants are encouraged to wear mail unless paid for in advance, a ness in a criminal case; drugs, a felony of the second degree; and the colors purple and teal. postal regulation. Subscriptions are • Joseph Ward, 33, of Bellefontaine: non-refundable.