I am doing it. Judge Kegley, who was technically Phil Malone's supervisor, sealed the records. Rest assured I, as well as others at the Portsmouth Police Department, will continue to work toward hopefully solving this case and bringing answers to the family and friends of Megan Lancaster.. apartments in dallas that allow airbnb Uncovering hot babes since 1919. I cant imagine if one of my daughters disappeared. In addition to the BCIs number, victims can still also callSouthern Ohio Sexual Assault Treatment Center 740-353-0660 or 740-355-3528. Liz Dufour and James Pilcher, Cincinnati Enquirer. Details coming soon. So I dont know. He said he had two cases involving her, civil protection orders filed against her. Mike has played with his brother Kevin in the "Delgado" Band for 30 years. Several women say they were lured into an alleged sex trafficking ring run by a local defense attorney in Portsmouth, Ohio. She did not work for me. I never dealt with the issue about being in human trafficking, holding it all in,"said Mills, 34. Mills said she met Phil Malone while accompanying her mother as she cleaned houses. Ive seen him with two young girls. Mearans case is being prosecuted as part of Yosts Human Trafficking Initiative and Special Prosecutions Section. They know Im not that kind of person.". (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); The charges stem from criminal activity in southern Ohio that occurred from 2003 to 2018 and involved six victims. Why are you protecting this man? She said Mearan had arranged for her to have sex with a Cincinnati doctor for $200 and arranged for aprobation officer to take nude photos of her, among other allegations. He consistently denied the allegations. Then, under a plea deal like those offered other first-time offenders, the charges were dismissed. Michael W. Moran, 75, of Butler returned peacefully to the Lord on Thursday, Dec. 17, 2020, after an illness. Mark Malonewas the citys chief probation officer until July,when he was reassigned to be a bailiff by Judge Kegley. She said she would meet Mark Malone in different locations away from the office. Submit Your News. The Enquirer will update this story as more information becomes available. (Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. 2129 14th street nw washington, dc 20009 michael moran portsmouth ohio. Fellow city judge Mowery said he did not know what possible illegal activity Kegley referredto in the letter. But the BCI took the unusual step of asking for victims and witnesses to speak up. In her business, she had not made friends. The Enquirers investigation began after the newspaper obtained a federal wiretap affidavit which had been filed under seal with the Southern District of Ohio. (614) 476-4157 Fax. Its legal in Las Vegas. She had a son, age seven, who now lives with his grandmother. In an email sent last month, Mearan wrote he did not know of those allegations by Phil Malone. Now what does that tell you, that after researching for a year and going through my house, they ask do you know of any suspicious activity on Mr. Mearan, he said. Siewert said he died surrounded by family. "I have spoken to Mr. Mearan on more than one occasion in reference to this case and I assure you no one has received any kind of special treatment. So when Mills saw an opportunityto get out of town, she leapedat the chance. His personnel file from that time, however, consists of four pages, including the February 2011 letter firing him for just cause with no details. "As to the question about the case still being a missing person status. Youre law enforcement. When he returned, he said he found they took everything, all his computer equipment, client records and his cell phone that he said he had data dating back to 2013. Mike has been a subject matter expert and consultant on firearms-related litigation. The Scioto County Jail confirmed at 3:20 p.m. that deputies were in the process of booking Mearan, who was the focus of an Enquirer investigative report last year into sex trafficking in the small city 100 miles east of Cincinnati along the Ohio River. "She is a hero because without this horrible tragedy happening to her. After his firing, Malone landed a job with the Portsmouth City Probation Department, where his boss was his brother, Mark. SCIOTO COUNTY, Ohio (FOX19) - A Portsmouth lawyer and former city council member has been indicted on 18 felony counts related to an alleged sex trafficking ring in southern Ohio, Attorney. But Phil said,We can skip all of this if you just let me take a picture of those tits. . Her car was found but they never found out what happened to her. He went to her mothers house on April 5, 2013, and told her he thought something was wrong because her car was still parked at Rallys fast food restaurant and she hadnt contacted him looking for drugs, Kadie Lancaster said. Rumors about Mearan sex trafficking made national headlines in December 2017. A cause of death has not yet. Growing up in a dangerous life. Where do you go to buy your reputation back? He asked. 'Are you serious? I trusted Phil Malone. There are a couple of leads I am still working on, but obviously I cannot elaborate any on them due to the sensitivity and open status of the case. One said she had slept with a former police chief for money. Theyve, like, shut me down, he said but then added: That doesnt stop me. She began posing nude for Phil Malone, who soon said he had lined up a modeling contract for her in Chicago. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. To FBI investigators. It was like snap, snap, snap, snap, snap. It was uncomfortable., Other than that, he had no complaints about BCI, who he also referred to as the goon squad who came in here. His file includes several commendations during the 1990s, including his performance during the riots at the state prison in Lucasville in 1993. When her friend Linda Mills said she had a way for her to make money, she tagged along to Phil Malones house, she said. He hangs around with young girls. Told Friday of Mearans arrest, she started to cry. Then Mark's brother,Phil, a city probation officer at thistime,offered to take nude pictures to allow her to escape probation requirements. Now, attorney, Michael Mearan, has been arrested. Box 307437 I wanted to be a face for other people in Scioto County. I said, 'look, if you think I had anything to do with it Ill come over or whatever, and he said Mike, we know you had no involvement.. / CBS Pittsburgh. He gets women who have been into trouble, takes them into court and they work for him as a dog walker or he says they are getting their GEDs, he says several things, she said. Sex trafficking victim reacts to attorney's arrest. Over 100 arrested in Central Ohio human trafficking sting (Courtesy: Franklin County Sheriff's Office) COLUMBUS, Ohio The Franklin County Prosecutor's Office announced that 22 people have. Portsmouth attorney Michael Mearan has been indicted on 18 felony counts related to human trafficking spanning 15 years. She said her handler drove her across the country in a Ford Mustang to have sex with other men, and once flew her to New York for more of the same. Look what youve caused. Green flag, they both drive it deep into turn one. Mearan also has been suspected as being in collusion with a Portsmouth, Ohio judge to get females out on bail, parole, etc., in order to use those females as prostitutes and with unknown law enforcement or legislative officials to tip off Mearans drug suppliers, including (a then-client of Mearans) Mark Eubanks.. Im blessed, but Im so angry right now. Mearan, 74, was investigated by a human trafficking task force as part of Ohio Attorney General David Yosts Organized Crime Investigations Commission. Him and Harvey Weinstein. So many of use innocent people who never had a chance. Mearan is lodged in the Scioto County Jail. Phil Malone, 64, has been charged with forgery charges in a case also involving Artressia. I went to jail. And then she hid from her Chicago handler elsewhere in Scioto County until he left without her. ", Prostitution: Its against the law. Yost said now that Mearan has been charged, other victims may feel safe enough to come forward. Linda Mills, 35, was promised a modeling contract in Chicago by Phil Malone, former Scioto County sheriff's deputy and dispatcher, only to be sex trafficked at the age of 15. I just wish I could look him in the face and all of the other ones and say look what youve done. He said he didnt know what is going to happen, but he didnt think he would be arrested. Really, they are dancing and prostituting for him. I went to jail and did six months in the county and I got a 9-year prison sentence out of. When we reached out to the Ohio Public Defenders Office about Mearan, we received this response from their chief legal counsel: We do not have information we can share at this time and we are awaiting the disclosure of more information related to Atty. Some women did come forward, however including Heather Hren, who spoke with Enquirer reporters for aninvestigation thatran in two partspublished in March 2019 and September 2019. Marshall said has never seen anything to make him suspect Mearan of illegal activity. I think the only connection they can make between Mike and me is drug court. My husband (Jeremy) and I have been fighting tooth and nail since the beginning to find out what happened (to Megan).. Sex trafficking victim never thought she would see this day. The police have been looking on it for five years and they dont know. James Moran in Ohio. After she moved back to Portsmouth from Chicago, Mills started having sex with Phil Malone for money, and he took more nude pictures of her, she said. He was responsible for handling the probation of those convicted of low-level misdemeanors. In our eyes, in many, many community members eyes, Megan is a hero," Kadie Lancaster said. Mearan was originally representing himself, which the state objected to because those that would be testifying are his alleged victims and he would be allowed to question them. Gahanna, Ohio 43230-7437 USA A judge is supposed to turn someone in and Mikes never told me anything like that. Defendants are presumed innocent unless proved guilty in a court of law. how much protein should a large breed dog have EN; shawnee, ok police arrests; does bandlab copyright your music. Dying would have been a blessing, Mills said of her sexual abuse. Mills said she doesnt know how Malone set her up with the man in Chicago. In October 2020, Mearan was indicted on 18 charges, some dating back to 2005, including one count of first-degree felony of engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity; three counts of first-degree felony of trafficking in persons; five counts of first-degree felony compelling prostitution; and nine counts of promoting prostitution. The initial Enquirer report detailed accusations by 10 different women against Mearan, a well-known defense lawyer in town, as well as the contents of a federal law enforcement affidavit outlining Mearan's part in an alleged sex trafficking operation. 2021 Scioto County Daily News. He was seen outside on his front porch in the morning chill while BCI began to scour all four floors of his home, including the basement and attic. Dr. Douthat practices primary care Optometry, including the fitting of contact lenses and the treatment of ocular diseases. Michael Mearan, a former Portsmouth city councilman and lawyer who was facingmultiple felonies related to sex trafficking, died Friday afternoonfollowing health complications, his attorney confirmed. He has represented District 42 from 2009 to 2011. Then when I was in prison she came up missing. Phil Malone was a pervert, said Kayla Artressia, who says Malone tried to send her to Chicago when she was 16,but that she refused. PORTSMOUTH A Portsmouth attorney and former city councilman has been put on house arrest after the judge in his case was notified Michael Mearan had taken on new clients, a violation of his bond agreement that got him out of jail. He said he never used her as a prostitute and/or engaged in sex trafficking with her. Michael Moran, MBA Talent Acquisition Senior Specialist at FORVIS Charlotte Metro 2K followers 500+ connections Join to view profile FORVIS Hofstra University Company Website About Skilled. "ButI still feel like theres more work to do. Megans white Ford Mustang was locked and parked outside the restaurant with her wallet open on the front seat. Mearan, 74, is charged with nine counts of promoting prostitution, five counts of compelling prostitution, three counts of trafficking in person and one count of engaging in a pattern of corrupt activities, Yost said. Authorities also asked for a copy of the deed to his house. He acknowledged the women came to his home,but deniedwrongdoing and denied using prostitutes. The paper ran another story reporting state investigators were taking a more active role in the sex trafficking case with Portsmouth police. They have this club, a group of business guys and they will have parties. I did not know them (the women) personally., Prostitutes in Portsmouth told The Enquirer that Phil Malone was a frequent customerand that he used to get girls to come to his house to have hot tub parties., Danielle Underwood, 37, said she had been to Phil Malones house several times to have sex for money, do drugs and party in his hot tub.. He was charged in October 2020 with promoting prostitution, compelling prostitution, human trafficking, and engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity and had faced more than 70 years in prison if convicted on all counts. Im assuming shes dead or hiding out. Patricia A. Crosgrove, a retired former Summit County Common Pleas judge, was assigned to the cases by the Ohio Supreme Court as a special judge. Yost announced on social media Friday that 75-year-old Michael Mearan has died, but the cause of death was not listed. We call him the Million Dollar Man. When we called today and went around and talked to them to let them know there was a deluge of tears, Yost said. Why are you protecting him? COLUMBUS, Ohio (WSYX) Mount Carmel Health System announced Thursday Michael Moran has been named the president of Mount Carmel Medical Group. Artressia said he would pay her $60 to $100 a time, depending on whether it was for pictures or sex. He said he was running for re-election for what would wind up being the last time when she went missing. Kellico Inc. Michael C Wilson Attorney 05/01/1949 - 06/19/2020 . Professor Emeritus, Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (614) 292-6064. moran.4@osu.edu. We asked him if he ever used a prostitute. I feel sorry for Judge Marshall the way they talked about him, Mearan said. . It makes you sick to your stomach that people who have public positions do these kinds of things, Brown said. Youve caused so many people to die. Aerospace Engineering; . "Also, witnesses and source-information interviews have indicated that Mearan offers his legal services, clothing residence, food, etc., to females in return for them becoming prostitutes for him and conducting sexual acts for his clients including a Portsmouth, Ohio judge, Southern Ohio Correctional Facility Staff members, and local businessmen. He said he detained and handcuffed for about 10-15 minutes. In denying his claim against Mowery, the disciplinary counsel wrote this to Malone: It is sufficient to note that you engaged in inappropriate physical contact with two of the women.. She handed me the phone to talk to the trooper. He said there was no way to have any privacy in the office at the time. "We would be acquaintances in the fact of being active in the local criminal justice system for many years. She said that began an ordeal that lasted four years, during which she became addicted to drugs. This story is breaking and will be updated. Neither has expressed any displeasure with the way the case has been handled thus far. . If Megan Lancaster was an informant, I would not be aware as it is likely it would have been a confidential status for our drug task force. Attorneys Medical Malpractice Attorneys Medical Law Attorneys. Kadie Lancaster said Portsmouth police didnt investigate her sister-in-laws disappearance as suspicious for six months. PORTSMOUTH, Ohio A one-way bus ticket and the promise of a modeling contract. She remembers being there when he picked Mills up for the first time, saying he was manipulative,with promises of making $2,000 a week. But in an interview last year, Malone said he was called to help with a fight at the Scioto County Jail that resulted in a broken neck and serious injuries to his hand. The women were paid $200 to $2,000 per encounter, and in some of the instances, Mearan himself handled the payment, they said. Mearan said he thinks Lancasters family told Portsmouth police Check Mike Mearan as they investigated her disappearance. One woman has reportedly been missing since 2013 and another woman was found dead. The family feels that by then, what likely was key evidence in her vehicle had been compromised. She was stalking them and taking their money. He said that was something he never liked, that he was somehow rumored to be involved. Authorities said in court documents that he targeted women who were poor, addicted to drugs, and facing criminal charges to take part in a prostitution ring during a 15-year-period beginning in 2003. Were going to take pictures,' he recalled. According to the Supreme Court of Ohios attorney services office, Mearans registration is active. Kadie Lancaster and her husband said they have never been informed by Brewer or anyone at the police department that the detective fears more serious circumstances in her disappearance. Around here, you cant trust the cops, some of them. Ive had clients called me unsolicited and told me they wrote letters into the (BCI) office hotline.. He also served as a leader in the local Boy Scout troop, according to the file. Buy today's Edition. The 80-page affidavit, filed in August 2015 by DEA Senior Special Agent Keith Leighton, said Mearan had been known to law enforcement in Portsmouth since the 1970s. The sworn statement contends some of the women said they were sent as far as New York, New Jersey, Florida and Nevada for paid sexual encounters. Mills described conflicting emotions, saying she felt both blessed that Mearan finally faced charges, but adding, Im so angry. She said Mearan was protected for years by high-profile lawyers, judges and officers. In an email to The Enquirer in August, Mearan wrote Hren was "a convicted felon" and therefore her allegations should not be taken seriously. Were one more step in the right direction. "The case was originally assigned to then-Detective Ron Davis. /eileen ryan penn little house on the prairie/ michael moran portsmouth ohio. I trusted him, said Mills. He was a dispatcher for the Scioto County Sheriffs Office at the time. Hes a very good man, a very good father, grandfather, friend. It first started out as just taking nude pictures. FOX19 NOW previously reported Mearan was under state investigated for actions linked to prostitution, sex trafficking and drugs, according to a 2015 affidavit filed under seal with the Southern District of Ohio. By the early 2000s, he was consistently at odds with Sheriff Marty Donini about taking time off, and Donini fired him in 2005 for abusing the departments off-time policy. None of it is true: Portsmouth attorney under state investigation speaks out. Heres what the women alleged: Mearan, as a prominent attorney, would represent women facing drug charges. Mills said another man met her at the bus station, and within hours, she was told she needed to have sex with him so he could see what he could sell.. Im going to sit here and wait until I get my stuff back, he said. She became pregnant in 2003 from an unknown customer. Now, theaccusations of four women show the activity may have been more widespread. The familys connections with the Malones went further than that. Unfortunately, those have slowed considerably over these seven years. 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