TOLEDO, Ohio – Amanda Hovanec, 37, of Wapakoneta, Ohio, has been sentenced to 40 years in prison by U.S. District Judge James R. Knepp, II, after pleading guilty to multiple charges, including distributing a controlled substance that resulted in the death of her husband. Amanda Hovanec was also ordered to serve 10 years of supervised release and ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $2,108,559.36.
According to court documents, Hovanec and her husband, Timothy, were married and had three children. They moved several times for his job with the U.S. Department of State, which included an assignment in South Africa around 2018. While there, Hovanec developed a relationship with a South African citizen named Anthony Theodorou. Hovanec initiated divorce proceedings against her husband in 2020 after returning to the United States. In December 2021, she began to deny her husband visitation with their children despite a court order to permit it. After her husband filed several contempt motions against Hovanec for denying visitation, a judge ordered that the children be given visitation with their father in April 2022, and further ordered that the husband become the residential parent and legal custodian of their children for two months that summer, beginning in May.
The children went with their father for an April weekend visitation, as ordered, after which their father returned them to Hovanec’s Wapakoneta residence. Later, a missing persons investigation was opened when the husband failed to check out of an area hotel where he had been staying.
During the investigation, law enforcement officials discovered the husband’s abandoned car in Dayton, Ohio. It had been equipped with a dash camera. Review of the camera’s video showed that the husband had returned the children to Hovanec’s residence around 7 p.m. on April 24, 2022. Video footage showed Hovanec and her mother, Anita Green, waiting outside the residence next to the garage. Hovanec was then seen walking toward the driver’s side of the vehicle and heard telling the children, “I have a surprise for you inside.” The children entered the residence, followed by Green. Seconds later, the victim was heard saying, “What the heck are you doing? Did you just assault me?” and then, “Get away from me . . . Get off of me.” The victim and Hovanec came into the camera’s view, at which time video footage captured her pulling on her husband’s shirt as he tried to use his cellphone. She wrestled with him and eventually knocked the phone out of his hand. She then pulled on his back to bring him to the ground, holding him around the neck until his body went limp and he became unresponsive, lying on the driveway. Hovanec stood up, picked up her husband’s cellphone, removed his smart watch, and turned off his vehicle’s engine, at which point the dash camera stopped recording.
After first attempting to cover up her crimes, Hovanec later confessed to investigators that she injected her husband in the shoulder with “poison” that she understood would kill him within minutes. She also admitted to disposing of his car in Dayton, and burying his body in a wooded area not far from her home. Theodorou was in Ohio at the time of the incident. He not only obtained the substance used to kill the victim, but also helped Hovanec bury her husband’s body. Green, who both Hovanec and Theodorou confirmed knew about the plan to murder the victim in advance, was charged as an accessory after the fact. She agreed to drive them and the victim’s body to the grave site, which was dug in advance of the murder.
The investigation determined that the victim was injected with M-99, also known as Etorphine, a Schedule I controlled substance approximately 1000 times more potent than morphine. It is used in veterinary medicine for zoo and wildlife anesthesia.
According to court records, Hovanec considered killing her husband for at least a year before the murder and had considered alternate means to do so, including hiring a hitman, before settling on injecting him with M-99.
“Hovanec’s violent and intentional actions were cold-blooded, calculated, and cruel. Her extreme malevolence toward her husband and complete disregard for how his murder would affect their innocent children is incomprehensible and unforgiveable,” said U.S. Attorney Rebecca Lutzko for the Northern District of Ohio. “We know that no amount of time served can bring back a family’s loved one. But our hope is that the victim’s family may find some sense of closure as they painstakingly work to heal from this unimaginable and horrific tragedy.”
Theodorou was sentenced to 18 years in prison and three years of supervised release after pleading guilty to conspiracy to import, importation and distribution of a controlled substance that resulted in death. He was also ordered to pay $2,108,559.36 in restitution, of which a part will be paid jointly and severally with Hovanec and Green. Anita Green was sentenced to 10 years in prison and two years of supervised release after pleading guilty to being an accessory to the crimes committed by Amanda Hovanec and Anthony Theodorou.
This case was investigated by the FBI Cleveland Division, Lima Resident Agency, the Auglaize County Sheriff’s Office, the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI), and the Lucas County Coroner’s Office.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Alissa Sterling and Michelle Baeppler for the Northern District of Ohio.
TOLEDO, Ohio – Sir Maejor Page, 35, of Toledo, has been sentenced to 42 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Jeffrey Helmick after a jury convicted him of wire fraud and money laundering for defrauding donors of more than $450,000 that they collectively gave to his nonprofit “Black Lives Matter of Greater Atlanta” (BLM of Greater Atlanta) based on Page’s false representations. He was also ordered to pay a $400 special assessment fee.
Page continued to collect donations to his purported social justice charity through the organization’s Facebook page even after its tax-exempt status was revoked for failure to submit IRS Form 990 for three consecutive years. He regularly posted content to Facebook about social and racial issues to give his nonprofit the appearance of legitimacy, despite no longer being tax-exempt. He also used Facebook to message privately with users, and he falsely represented that their donations would be used to “fight for George Floyd” and the “movement.” As a result, approximately 18,000 people donated to the BLM of Greater Atlanta charity through its Facebook account, which Page administered.
Page used the donations to BLM for his own personal benefit. He purchased entertainment, hotel rooms, clothing, firearms, and a property that he intended to use as his personal residence. He attempted to conceal the purchase of the property by using the name “Hi Frequency Ohio” and asked the seller to sign a nondisclosure agreement that would have prevented the seller from listing Page as the actual buyer.
“Mr. Page took advantage of a cause meant to fight social injustices, using it instead to line his own pockets with thousands of dollars of donations,” said U.S. Attorney Rebecca C. Lutzko for the Northern District of Ohio. “People donate their hard-earned money to support causes they believe in, and when a fraudster like Page comes along and tries to get away with a fake charity scheme, it hurts legitimate nonprofit organizations that rely on the generosity of others to advance their missions and make positive change in the world. This Office will hold accountable those who try to profit by scamming unsuspecting people out of their money like Page did here.”
This case was investigated by the FBI Cleveland Division and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Gene Crawford and Rob Melching.
(COLUMBUS, Ohio) – The Ohio Department of Development today announced $6 million in grant awards to help three nonprofit organizations support more than 500 individuals and families experiencing homelessness in their communities.
Funding comes from the HOME American Rescue Plan (HOME-ARP) Non-Congregate Shelter program, which provides a safe and private living environment for people experiencing homelessness by supporting the creation and expansion of non-congregate shelters across Ohio.
“This is an important step in addressing homelessness across Ohio,” said Lydia Mihalik, director of the Department of Development. “By supporting the creation of these non-congregate shelters, we’re providing more than just beds. We’re offering a safe, private, and supportive environment where Ohioans can find stability and begin their journey to permanent housing. We must continue to invest in solutions like this to ensure all Ohioans have the opportunity to thrive.”
These new units will provide much-needed support for individuals and families who are looking for an alternative to traditional shelter settings. Non-congregate shelters offer separate sleeping spaces and bathroom facilities, ensuring increased privacy for residents.
The funding will be distributed to the following nonprofit agencies:
The Community Shelter Board (Franklin County) will receive $2 million to acquire a 42-unit, 56-bed facility serving single men, women, and youth under the age of 25. The program expects to serve 180 families and 200 individuals per year during the life of the project.
Emerald Development and Economic Network (EDEN) (Cuyahoga County) will receive $2 million to rehabilitate a 62-unit facility, with 14 non-congregate units and 14 beds serving single women and youth. The program expects to serve 50 families and 220 individuals per year during the life of the project.
Hocking Athens Perry Community Action Partnership (HAPCAP) will receive $2 million to create a 20-unit, 38-bed facility serving single adults and households with children in Meigs, Gallia, Vinton, Jackson, Hocking, Athens, and Perry counties. The program expects to serve 80 families and 152 individuals per year during the life of the project.
In addition to creating safe, temporary shelter options, all three grantees will leverage a total of approximately $63.3 million over the next 10 years through additional funding sources.
The Ohio Department of Development empowers communities to succeed by investing in Ohio’s people, places, and businesses. Learn more about our work at development.ohio.gov.
Perkins Township- The Ohio State Highway Patrol is currently investigating a serious six vehicle injury crash, that occurred on September 27, 2024 at approximately 08:12 P.M. on Perkins Avenue near the intersection of Hayes Avenue in the Township of Perkins, Erie County.
Tiffany Knight, 38, from Sandusky, Ohio, was driving a 2015 Cadillac ATS westbound when she struck the left rear of a Toyota Tacoma operated by Kent Galbraith, 3 1, from Sacramento, California. After this initial impact, Ms. Knight continued westbound, traveled left of center and struck a 2012 Ford Focus driven by 21-year-old Sapphire Hackathorn, also from Sandusky.
The collision caused Knight’s vehicle to spin into a westbound Ford Explorer driven by Jami Messer, 38, from Mansfield, Ohio. Hackathorn then sfruck a 2016 Ford Escape operated by 80-year-old Millie McCready from Huron, Ohio, and a 2018 Jeep Cherokee driven by 32-year-old Sabrina Crawford-Gerber from Castalia, Ohio.
Both Knight and Hackathorn sustained injuries and were transported by Perkins EMS to Firelands Hospital.
Alcohol is suspected to be a factor in the crash.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol is continuing its investigation, with assistance from the Perkins Police Department, Perkins Fire & EMS, and Wilson’s Towing.
September 11, 2024 (COLUMBUS, Ohio)— Ohio Governor Mike DeWine announced new state support for the city of Springfield, which is dealing with significant stress on its healthcare and public safety systems due to the influx of thousands of Haitian migrants over the last several years.
“I want the people of Springfield and Clark County to know that as we move forward, we will continue to do everything we can to help the community deal with this surge of migrants,” said Governor DeWine. “The federal government has not demonstrated that they have any kind of plan to deal with the issue. We will not walk away.”
The influx of Haitians to Springfield and Clark County has significantly impacted local primary care providers due to the increased number of patients and the need for more translation services. In general, migrants from Haiti have had little to no healthcare services prior to arriving in the United States, including vaccinations. Governor DeWine announced today that he is dedicating $2.5 million toward expanding primary care access for everyone living in Springfield. Governor DeWine has directed the Ohio Department of Health to work with the Clark County Health Department and other healthcare providers on this effort.
To address the increase in dangerous driving in Springfield by inexperienced Haitian drivers and all others who disregard traffic laws, Governor DeWine directed the Ohio State Highway Patrol (OSHP) to support the Springfield Police Department with traffic enforcement. Beginning tomorrow morning, OSHP troopers will patrol local roads with the highest crash rates and hold accountable any driver who drives erratically and risks the safety of others.
These two new initiatives add to other support that the state has already provided to Springfield to aid in addressing the increase in the area’s Haitian population, including:
creating a school-based health clinic in the Springfield City School District to expand primary care access for school children and their parents throughout the community
increasing support for vaccinations and health screenings through the local health department
allocating additional funds to the Clark County Department of Job and Family Services for translation services
providing funding to Clark State College for services to teach English to Haitians.
providing driving simulators and offering driver education classes targeted to the Haitian community
working with the Springfield School District to maximize existing resources and provide ongoing support to deal with the surge of migrant students
Because the federal government’s policies have led to this and other migrant surges across the United States, Governor DeWine also called on the federal government to better support communities that experience an unexpected increase in migrant population.
“The federal government needs to assist these communities with funding because these dramatic migrant surges impact every citizen in the community — the moms who have to wait hours in a waiting room with a sick child, everyone who drives on our streets, and the children who go to school in more crowded classrooms,” said Governor DeWine. “The federal government does not have a plan to give any support to the communities impacted by surges, and we have absolutely no indication that a plan is coming in the near future.”
Barbera Rissler died as a result of the injuries sustained in the crash.
Ripley Township – The Norwalk Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol is investigating a truck versus horse drawn buggy serious injury crash that occurred on September 10, 2024 at 07:11 p.m. on Baseline Road near New State Road in Ripley Township, Huron County.
The preliminary investigation showed a 2015 Chevy 2500, operated by Dustin L. Thompson, age 43, traveling west on Baseline Road. A horse drawn buggy, operated by Barbara Rissler, age 16, was traveling west on Baseline Road in front of Mr. Thompson.
Mr. Thompson failed to keep an assured clear distance ahead and struck the rear of the buggy. After the collision, the buggy traveled off the right side of the roadway. The Chevy continued westbound before coming to rest on the roadway.
Mr. Thompson was not wearing his seat-belt and was not injured as a result of the crash.
Ms. Rissler was ejected from the buggy and sustained serious injuries. She was flown by Med-flight to Ohio-Health Grant Medical Center, Columbus.
Dorcas Rissler, age 21, was a passenger in the buggy. She was ejected and sustained serious injuries from the crash. She was transported by Shiloh EMS to Ohio-Health, Mansfield.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol was assisted at the scene by Shiloh Fire and EMS, Med-Flight, and Clark Brother’s Towing.
JEFFERSON CITY, MO — The number of marijuana-related poison control calls involving children aged five and under in Missouri has skyrocketed by 2,300% over the past six years, according to the Missouri Department of Health & Senior Services.
Data reveals a dramatic increase in such incidents from just 7 calls in 2018 to 168 calls in 2023. The numbers have surged year-by-year as follows:
2018: 7 calls
2019: 26 calls
2020: 57 calls
2021: 102 calls
2022: 125 calls
2023: 168 calls
Experts attribute this alarming trend to the proliferation of child-friendly marijuana products and packaging. The marijuana industry has increasingly introduced edibles that closely resemble popular candies and snacks. These products, which often come in bright colors and feature cartoon-themed packaging, are particularly appealing to young children. As a result, toddlers may mistakenly consume these items, not realizing they contain high doses of THC, the psychoactive component of cannabis.
The issue has been exacerbated by Missouri’s evolving marijuana laws. In 2018, before the state legalized medical marijuana, there were only 7 such poison control calls. Following the legalization of medical marijuana in November 2018 and its sale beginning in October 2020, the number of calls began to rise. The situation worsened after the state fully legalized marijuana in November 2022, with recreational sales starting in February 2023.
The increase in these incidents highlights growing concerns about the safety of marijuana products, particularly those marketed with child-friendly features. Advocacy groups are calling for stricter regulations, including bans on edibles designed to appeal to children and requirements for child-proof packaging on THC-containing products.
As more states adopt similar legalization measures, experts warn that without appropriate safeguards, such trends may continue.
City of Sandusky – The Ohio State Highway Patrol is investigating a two-vehicle fatal crash, that occurred on September 8, 2024 at approximately 8:15 P.M. on Cleveland Road at the intersection of Cowdery Street in the City of Sandusky Erie County.
Andrew D. Johnson age 77, of Sandusky, Ohio was operating a 2003 Jeep Wrangler traveling westbound on Cleveland Road. Charles L. Grissom, age 60, was operating a 1998 Honda VT750 traveling eastbound on Cleveland Road. Mr. Johnson failed to yield while making a left turn when he struck Mr. Grissom.
Mr. Johnson was wearing his seat belt and did not suffer any injuries due to the crash. Mr. Grissom was transported to the Firelands Regional Hospital in Sandusky for his injuries. He was later pronounced deceased at the hospital. Mr. Grissom was not wearing a helmet while riding his motorcycle.
Alcohol and/or drug use are believed to be a factor at this time. The crash remains under investigation.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol was assisted on scene by Sandusky Police Department, Sandusky Fire Department, and Sandusky Towing.
Milan Township- The Sandusky Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol is investigating a two commercial vehicle serious injury crash that occurred Friday September 6, 2024 at 12:49 PM at the intersection of Mason Road and Hoover Road in Milan Township, Erie County.
Matthew Snyder, age 57, of Parma, was driving a white 2018 Mack truck southbound on Hoover Road. Mr. Snyder failed to yield for the posted stop sign on Hoover Road at Mason Road. Mr. Snyder was struck in the right side by another commercial vehicle that was traveling eastbound on Mason Road. Mr. Snyder’s vehicle careened off the southeast corner of the intersection and struck a tree. Mr. Snyder sustained serious incapacitating injuries and found to be wearing his safety belt.
Thomas Reising, age 26, of Berlin Heights, was driving a 2023 Volvo commercial dump truck eastbound on Mason Road. Mr. Reising struck the side of the 2018 Mack truck in the intersection of Hoover Road. Mr. Reising’s vehicle also careened off the southeast corner of the intersection, overturned, and struck a utility pole. Mr. Reising had to be extracted from the vehicle by fire/EMS. He sustained serious injuries as a result. Mr. Reising was found to not be wearing a safety belt at the time of the crash.
The crash remains under investigation.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol was assisted by the Erie County Sheriff’s Office, Milan Township Fire Department, North Central EMS, Interstate Towing, and Ralph’s Towing
(COLUMBUS, Ohio) — Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost today sued the Columbus City Schools Board of Education for refusing to transport hundreds or thousands of students to charter and private schools despite the district’s legal obligation to provide the bus service.
“As a parent and grandparent, I understand the importance of making sure every child has a safe way to get to and from school,” Yost said. “These families have a right to choose what school is best for their child, and the law is clear that transportation is to be provided. The School Board needs to comply with the law whether they agree with it or not.”
Yost’s filing, a petition for a writ of mandamus in the Ohio Supreme Court, seeks to compel Columbus City Schools to immediately provide transportation to and from charter and private schools for each student whose family has requested mediation regarding bus service until the mediation is resolved. It also demands that the district provide lists of students for whom they deem transportation to be “impractical” to the charter and private schools, as the district failed to provide legally required notice to many affected families of their right to request mediation.
The district is statutorily obligated to provide transportation for charter and private school students who live within the district’s boundaries and no more than 30 minutes from the public school to which they would be assigned if they attended.
Columbus City Schools has not complied with the law since the start of this academic year for hundreds or thousands of students, calling bus transportation for these students “impractical” and providing parents of those affected with just a few days’ notice, far short of the notice required by law. The district has also failed to provide transportation to students challenging the district’s “impracticality” decision, which is also in violation of state law.
“It appears that the district has chosen to ignore its legal obligations. . ., perhaps calculating that the district is better off paying future non-compliance fines than meeting its current legal obligations,” Yost wrote.
The district’s insufficient response to the letter prompted today’s lawsuit, as the elimination of transportation is causing serious harm to students, their families and charter and private schools.
Joe Lyons •
October 5, 2024
