(MANSFIELD, Ohio)—In less than one month the Oasis of Love Church in Mansfield will be transformed into a courthouse as part of the Fugitive Safe Surrender program.
Fugitive Safe Surrender offers adults with non-violent felony and misdemeanor warrants the ability to turn themselves in to law enforcement and have their cases adjudicated, typically in a faith-based setting.
“Fugitive Safe Surrender gives people who have outstanding warrants for misdemeanors and low-level felonies the chance to resolve these issues in a church,” said Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine. “Fugitive Safe Surrender Richland County will allow people to take care of warrants in a peaceful way which also helps protect our peace officers from potentially being involved in a more violent encounter.”
A long-time supporter of the program since its inception, Attorney General DeWine announced in March that Fugitive Safe Surrender would continue under the Ohio Attorney General's Office after federal support for the program was cut. The event in Richland County will take place from October 5th through 8th and will mark the first time the program is being done under the coordination of the Ohio Attorney General's Office.
“Fugitive Safe Surrender is a program that works, but its success depends on having support from the local community,” added DeWine. “I want to thank all of the local officials and community supporters in Richland County who are making this event possible.”
Local leaders assisting in Fugitive Safe Surrender Richland County include: Richland County Sheriff J. Steve Sheldon, Richland County Common Pleas Court Judge James DeWeese, Richland County Common Pleas Court Judge James D. Henson, Richland County Domestic Court Judge Heather Cockley, Richland County Common Pleas Court Magistrate Garry D. Dalbey, Richland County Prosecutor James J. Mayer, Jr., Richland County Clerk of Courts Linda Frary, Richland County Bar Association President Melissa Tommelleo, Richland County Community Policing, Probation and Parole Partnership Chief Dave Leitenberger, City of Mansfield Mayor Donald R. Culliver, Mansfield Chief of Police Dino Sgambellone, Mansfield Municipal Court Judge Frank Ardis, Mansfield Municipal Court Judge Jerry Ault, Mansfield Municipal Court Magistrate Phillip Naumoff, Mansfield Law Director David L. Remy, Mansfield Municipal Clerk of Courts Dan Smith, City of Shelby Mayor Marilyn S. John, Shelby Municipal Court Judge Jon Schaefer, Shelby Law Director R. Lee Shepherd, Shelby Clerk of Courts Alyce Cline, Oasis of Love Church Senior Pastor Dr. Walter Jordan II and Mansfield NAACP President Marcia Webb.
The Fugitive Safe Surrender event will take place from October 5-8 from 9 a.m .to 5 p.m. each day at the Oasis of Love Church located at 190 Chester Avenue in Mansfield.
-30-
Media Contacts:
Lisa Hackley: 614-466-3840
Dan Tierney: 614-466-3840