Logan County Common Pleas Court Press Releases

Judge Braig sentenceS Burris to a prison term on felony conviction

9/2/2025

Judge Kevin P. Braig of the Ohio Court of Common Pleas today sentenced Hunter Burris to a prison term on his felony conviction.

Burris pled guilty to and was convicted of aggravated possession of drugs, a felony of the second degree. A Logan County Sheriff Office's deputy apprehended Burris with over 60 grams of methamphetamine in his motor vehicle. Burris had been released from prison approximately 30 days before he committed the offense after serving a term on a lower-level aggravated possession of drugs conviction. Judge Braig sentenced Burris to a mandatory 4 to 6 years in prison on the conviction.

Cassandra Smith graduates ARC

8/28/2025

Judge Kevin P. Braig and Logan County Court of Common Pleas Adult Recovery Court (ARC) Team are pleased to announce the graduation of Cassandra Smith from the Logan County Adult Recovery Court.

"Cassie was a delight to have in the program," Judge Braig said. "She is hard working, responsible, and fun to be around. She has remarkable depth to her character and personality. She was incredibly supportive of the other participants in the program. And she is one of the best paddlers we have ever had in a raft on the annual Rafting for Recovery trip on the New River in West Virginia."

The ARC treatment team works within the framework of the traditional Logan County Common Pleas Court. The ARC’s mission is to achieve specific, rehabilitative objectives. The objectives of the ARC are to monitor treatment for substance abuse disorder of ARC participants, encourage and incentivize ARC participants to achieve rehabilitation and personal accountability, and decrease criminal activity and the need for incarceration.

The ARC provides its participants with the support of Judge Braig, Treatment Coordinator and Program Manager Annette Deao, Compliance Officers Jim Pleasant, Mandy Wilber, and Gary Ledford, Logan County Jail liaisons Doug Boggs and Amber Pickford, and treatment providers from TCN Behavioral Health Services, Community Health Wellness, the Justice Reinvestment Grant, Logan County Assistant Prosecutor Erin Rosen, local attorneys Natalie Bahan and Greg Harvey, and others. The members of the ARC Team share the goals of: (1) empowering ARC participants through treatment, accountability, and responsibility, (2) assisting ARC participants in achieving recovery from substance abuse disorder, and (3) helping ARC participants lead useful and productive lives.

Logan County Court of Common Pleas Warns About Bail Fraud

8/28/2025

The Logan County Court of Common Pleas warns residents of recent local telecommunication fraud attempts where the caller requests payment under the guise that a family member of the person called is being held in the Logan County Jail on felony criminal charges and needs bail money to be released from custody or to pay for an electronic monitor as a condition of bail.

The Logan County Court of Common Pleas sets bail on cases involving felony charges in hearings held in the Logan County Courthouse. Neither the Court's staff nor any member of any other branch of law enforcement ever calls anybody to request payment be made to secure bail or to pay for an electronic monitor as a condition of bail. At this time, the Court receives state funding to pay for electronic monitors when it orders a monitor to be worn as a condition of bail.

According to recent reports from Peak of Ohio, similar telecommunication schemes have been reported in Champaign County.

Residents are encouraged to contact the Logan County Sheriff’s Office directly if they receive any contact regarding bail or an electronic monitor or receive any other suspicious phone calls relating to persons in the Logan County Jail.

Wile not guilty of domestic violence

6/24/2025

A Logan County jury returned a not guilty verdict in favor of Jared M. Wile on a charge of fourth degree felony domestic violence.

The charge arose from an incident outside DeGraff, Ohio, on October 20, 2024, during which Wile argued with his wife and his wife's brother struck Wile. A military veteran on disability, Wile maintained that he defended himself against an attack. It was undisputed at the trial that his wife's brother threw the first punch and that Wile called 911 and requested law enforcement be sent to the residence.

Logan County Assistant Prosecutor Erin Rosen represented the State of Ohio. Defense counsel John Cunninham of Dayton, Ohio, represented Wile.

Press Release

6/11/2025

On June 10, 2025, a Logan County jury returned not guilty verdicts in favor of Brandon M. Bailey on one count of strangulation, a felony of the third degree, and two counts of domestic violence, both misdemeanors of the first degree. The charges arose from an August 3, 2024, disagreement between Mr. Bailey and his then-girlfriend and also involved an altercation between Mr. Bailey and the victim’s son.

Logan County Assistant Prosecutor Erin Rosen argued that Mr. Bailey committed the offenses after an argument about an electric bill and a motor vehicle. Defense counsel Addie King conceded that a dispute that turned physical occurred, but Mr. Bailey defended himself and was not the aggressor in the incident.

Former Bellefontaine Police Officer Appears in Court

6/5/2025

Former Bellefontaine Police Officer Bradley Staley appeared in the Logan County Court of Common Pleas today on charges of improper handling of a firearm in a motor vehicle, a felony of the fifth degree, and operating a motor vehicle under the influence (OVI), a misdemeanor of the first degree.

Judge Kevin P. Braig granted Staley and own reconnaissance bond and ordered that he keep in contact with lawyer Madison Mackay and submit to pre-trial drug and alcohol testing.

Staley entered not guilty pleas to the charges but also moved the Court for admission to the intervention in lieu of conviction program. The court ordered Staley to appear for a pre-sentence investigation interview and scheduled a hearing on the motion and to accept a change of plea on the OVI charge for July 11, 2025, at 2 PM.

Logan County Assistant Prosecutor Erin Rosen appeared on behalf of the State of Ohio.

Press Release

5/22/2025

Ohio's Third District Court of Appeals will be hearing two cases in the historic Logan County Courthouse in Bellefontaine, Ohio on Wednesday, May 28, 2025. The proceedings will commence at 9 AM.

The Third District will hear argument in the cases of Greg L. Horne, et al. v. Adena Pointe Homeowners Association, Inc., et al., which arises out of a dispute in Union County, and Chritina Basford v. Lonnie Butler, which arises out of a dispute in Marion County. The proceedings are open to the pubic and all are welcome to attend.

The Third District Court of Appeals is comprised of Judge John R. Willamowski, Judge William R. Zimmerman, Judge Mark C. Miller, and Judge Juergen A. Waldick.

For more information, media may contact Charlotte Flower at [email protected].

Judge Braig sentences Tolliver to 125 years

5/19/2025

Judge Kevin P. Braig of the Logan County Court of Common Pleas today sentenced Holley E. Tolliver to 125 to 130.5 years in prison on his convictions on 22 felonies of the first, second, and third degrees, and 20 firearm specifications.

Tolliver's convictions arose from shots he fired from his home in August of 2024 that struck neighboring homes and threatened responding law enforcement officers from the Logan County Sheriff's Office, City of Bellefontaine Police Department, and Ohio State Highway Patrol. Tolliver fired on officers when they deployed drones, robots, and tear gas in attempts to take him into custody. After a 12-hour standoff, they apprehended Tolliver. No officers or neighbors were physically injured during the ordeal. Tolliver sustained a broken arm from a gun shot fired by law enforcement as part of their effort to take him into custody.

Judge Braig found that Tolliver's actions caused the officers and Tolliver's neighbors significant mental and emotional harm. He also found that while Tolliver did not have any prior criminal history and had been diagnosed with mental health conditions, experts found that he clearly was competent to stand trial and knew the wrongfulness of his acts at the time he acted.

"This Court has a record of taking a dim view of people shooting up the neighborhood," Judge Braig said.

Through Logan County Sheriff Randall J. Dodds, the members of the Logan County law enforcement community submitted a written statement to Judge Braig asking the Court "to prevent [Tolliver] from terrorizing our communities for as along as possible."

"As representatives of Logan County Law Enforcement, we believe it is imperative that the Court be reminded of the rarity and seriousness of Mr. Tolliver's actions," the statement read. "It is easily forgotten that whether you are a Sheriff's Deputy, Police Officer, or Trooper, you are still human. We are fathers, husbands, sons, and brothers just like everyone else."

Judge Braig thanked about a dozen law enforcement officers present in the courtroom for their service in successfully resolving the siege.

"Your discharge of your duties during this extremely dangerous incident was patient, persistent, heroic, and compassionate. I am thankful that as a result of your outstanding performance that all of you emerged from it physically unharmed," Judge Braig said.

Judge Braig gives Olvera maximum sentence

5/13/2025

Judge Kevin P. Braig of the Logan County Court of Common Pleas - General Division today sentenced Emily B. Olvera to a maximum prison term of 5 years on her convictions on charges of aggravated vehicular assault, a felony of the third degree, and OVI, a misdemeanor of the first degree.

In an emotional hearing in which Ms. Olvera appeared from the Logan County Jail via video pursuant to Judge Braig's order, the victim and the family of the victim of the car accident that gave rise to the charges uniformly asked the Court to impose the maximum sentence. The accident occurred on November 2, 2024, on State Route 33. While under the influence of alcohol, Ms. Olvera mistakenly entered the divided highway going the wrong way and struck the victim head on.

Judge Braig found that the victim suffered significant physical, mental, and emotional harm and that her family also suffered significant mental and emotional harm.

Ms. Olvera sobbed as she addressed the Court. "I know it is meaningless, but I am so sorry," she said. "I think about [the victim] every day. I realize nothing I can say or do can change anything."

Logan County ARC graduates three at Camp Myeerah

5/7/2025

From Left: Robert Grimes, Raymond Walters, Judge Kevin P. Braig, Tonya McCarty

Judge Kevin P. Braig and Logan County Court of Common Pleas Adult Recovery Court (ARC) Team recently celebrated the graduation of three participants.
On May 5, 2025, Robert Grimes, Tonya McCarty and Ray Walters graduated from ARC during a celebration at Camp Myeerah in Bellefontaine, Ohio.

"Robert Grimes overcame a lot of adversity to get to this day," Judge Braig told the crowd. "But never forget, the tortoise beat the hare in that race. Robert responded beautifully to his treatment at Community Health & Wellness. I think their counselor, Emily Amidon, inspired Robert to stick with recovery. He never missed his appointments. Once he began providing drug-free screens, he did not look back. He is a gentle and polite person who I enjoy seeing in court."

"We have never had a person like Tonya McCarty in ARC," Judge Braig said. "She is not a criminal. She suffered from a serious health condition made worse by self-medication. Once she began receiving the medical care she needed, she became a delightful person. Now, she has a job as a legal secretary with local lawyer Natalie Bahan and her own apartment. She is one of the nicest people I have ever met. I am glad that she will still be interacting with us as a professional."

"Raymond Walters is a very talented guy who credits faith for his success in our program," Judge Braig said. "Raymond can fix just about anything on a car and bang out a beat on the drums. He joined a band at his church, got married, and is now a homeowner. He told me he would like to stay involved in the recovery community as a peer counselor or in some other capacity."

The ARC treatment team works within the framework of the traditional Logan County Common Pleas Court. The ARC’s mission is to achieve specific, rehabilitative objectives. The objectives of the ARC are to monitor treatment for substance abuse disorder of ARC participants, encourage and incentivize ARC participants to achieve rehabilitation and personal accountability, and decrease criminal activity and the need for incarceration.

The ARC provides its participants with the support of Judge Braig, Treatment Coordinator and Program Manager Annette Deao, Compliance Officers Jim Pleasant, Mandy Wilber, and Gary Ledford, Logan County Jail liaisons Doug Boggs and Amber Pickford, and treatment providers from TCN Behavioral Health Services, Community Health Wellness, the Justice Reinvestment Grant, Logan County Assistant Prosecutor Erin Rosen, local attorney Natalie Bahan, and others. The members of the ARC Team share the goals of: (1) empowering ARC participants through treatment, accountability, and responsibility, (2) assisting ARC participants in achieving recovery from substance abuse disorder, and (3) helping ARC participants lead useful and productive lives.

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Judge Braig sentenceS Burris to a prison term on felony conviction

Cassandra Smith graduates ARC

Logan County Court of Common Pleas Warns About Bail Fraud

Wile not guilty of domestic violence

Press Release

Former Bellefontaine Police Officer Appears in Court

Press Release

Judge Braig sentences Tolliver to 125 years

Judge Braig gives Olvera maximum sentence

Logan County ARC graduates three at Camp Myeerah

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