Defiance County grand jury returns indictments against six persons

A Defiance County grand jury has returned indictments against six persons, according to Prosecutor Morris Murray’s office.

Indicted were:

• Robert Perez, 60, 1213 Ayersville Ave., for domestic violence, a third-degree felony. Authorities allege that on Sept. 20 he caused, or attempted to cause, physical harm to a family or household member, having had three prior domestic violence convictions.

• Ashley Stairhime, 30, Paulding, for aggravated possession of drugs, a third-degree felony; possession of a fentanyl-related compound, a fifth-degree felony; and operating a vehicle while under the influence of a listed controlled substance or a listed metabolite of a controlled substance, a first-degree misdemeanor. Authorities allege that on July 3 on Ohio 15, Stairhime operated a vehicle while under the influence of drugs and was found in possession of a fentanyl-related compound and more than three grams of methamphetamine.

• Shawn Williams, 49, Lima, for tampering with evidence, a third-degree felony; and possession of cocaine, a fifth-degree felony. Authorities allege that on Sept. 23 during a traffic stop on Defiance’s Lake Street he was found in possession of cocaine. Knowing that an official proceeding or investigation was in progress, he also allegedly tampered with items that were potential evidence to impair them for availability.

• Blain Ayers, 56, 919 Jackson Ave., for menacing by stalking, a fourth-degree felony. The indictment alleges that from July 28-Sept. 17 he Ayers engaged in a pattern of conduct that caused mental distress to another person and also caused the victim to believe that he would cause that person or their family physical harm. He also allegedly trespassed on the land or premises where the victim lives.

• Tawny Hohenberger, 32, Lima, for trespass in a habitation when a person is present or likely to be present, a fourth-degree felony. The indictment alleges that on Sept. 4 she trespassed in a residence on Defiance’s Jefferson Avenue.

• Christopher Starr, 38, 719 Ronmar Drive, for strangulation, a fourth-degree felony. The charge alleges that on Sept. 13 he caused, or created, a substantial risk of physical harm by means of strangulation or suffocation to a person with whom he was in a dating relationship.