News Releases

Attorney General Mike DeWine announced that Vance Short, 45, pleaded guilty today to Conspiracy to Commit Murder and Complicity to Commit Aggravated Burglary in the murder of Gregory Trapp, of Sidney, Ohio. Trapp was found dead on May 21, 1998, of a gunshot wound to the head. Short and Gregory Trapp's brother, William Trapp, were arrested and indicted in the case last year.

Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine said today that he and Ohio Gov. John R. Kasich have agreed to ask the United States Supreme Court to reverse a decision by lower federal courts indefinitely postponing the execution of convicted murderer Charles Lorraine. Lorraine was sentenced to death in 1986 for the brutal killings of Doris and Raymond Montgomery in their Warren, Ohio home. Lorraine will not be executed on Wednesday as originally scheduled, but Ohio will request that the indefinite stay of execution be lifted.

Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine is calling on parents and guardians to prepare and protect their children against possible abduction or kidnapping. DeWine issued his warning after a Butler County girl was the victim of an attempted abduction.

Attorney General Mike DeWine recognized Human Trafficking Awareness Day today by calling on Ohioans to report any information they might have about human trafficking to BCI by calling 1-855-BCI-OHIO (224-6446).

Attorney General Mike DeWine joined 52 of his fellow state and territorial Attorneys General in calling on the U.S. Congress to reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) and ensure that vital programs working to keep women and families safe from violence and abuse continue uninterrupted.

Greg Kuch, of Findlay, owner and operator of State Tank and Remediation, Inc., was sentenced in Lucas County Common Pleas Court today to pay $10,000 in restitution, perform 100 hours of community service and serve four years of community control after being convicted on one count of tampering with records.

Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine today announced a judgment has been entered against an insider of a charter school that overbilled the state for more than $1.4 million. The judgment against Hassina Shabazz was entered in Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court for the full amount of the overpayment, $1,407,983, plus interest from 2007. Any recovery will go to the Cleveland Metropolitan and other Northeast Ohio school districts.

Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine and the Ohio Missing Persons Unit ask for help in locating the Ohio family of a deceased Florida man. The man died years ago, but authorities in Florida have reached out to Ohio in a continued effort to locate family members.

Attorney General Mike DeWine announced that Dr. Han M. Yang pleaded guilty today to Trafficking in Prescription Drugs, among other charges. Search warrants were executed last October on Yang's offices in Dayton and Bethel Township as part of an investigation into prescription drug abuse, medical fraud, and money laundering.

Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine today certified the petition for a proposed constitutional amendment submitted by Personhood Ohio.