By GUY VOGRIN

Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN — A Mahoning County grand jury last week returned 19 indictments, including the case of a Struthers man accused of trying to blow up his house.

Craig Cook, 53, is charged with two counts of attempted aggravated arson; obstructing official business and inducing panic. The charges stem from a July 21 incident at Cook’s home. An ambulance crew was called to 563 Spring St., where police reports state responders smelled a strong odor of natural gas.

When officers confronted Cook in his bedroom, the man allegedly demanded that officers allow him to smoke. In a struggle Cook lunged for a cigarette and lighter, reports state, and the man was pulled out of the house.

Neighboring houses had to be evacuated because of the incident. Cook’s wife, Miriam, 55, pleaded guilty Oct. 10 to a charge of inducing panic. It was Miriam Cook who admitted to turning on the gas in the home after taking a large amount of medication, court records state.

Other indicted cases are:

• Gerald W. Yerkey, 27, North Lima, two counts gross sexual imposition;

• Stephen E. Hogan, 50, Girard, two counts vandalism, petty theft, breaking and entering and attempted breaking and entering;

•Jabraylen R. Ifft, 20, 29 W. Judson Ave., assault;

•Frankie J. Hudson, 47, in care of Mahoning County Justice Center, possession of cocaine; illegal use or possession of drug paraphernalia;

• William E. Dorsey, 31, in care of Mahoning County Justice Center, domestic violence, aggravated trespass and aggravated menacing;

•Quanisha L. Sellers, 26, 637 W. Warren Ave., burglary;

•Dwaylen D. Sellers, 25, 824 W. LaClede Ave., burglary;

•Alexander O’Keefe Brown, 26, 435 W. Ravenwood Ave., burglary;

•David Evans, 53, in care of Mahoning County Justice Center, possession of cocaine; possession of drugs; and illegal use or possession drug paraphernalia;

•Desiree A. Boss, 30, 1521 Transylvania Ave., Warren, falsification; operating a vehicle under the influence;

•Steven J. McVay, 38, in care of Mahoning County Justice Center, possession of cocaine; illegal use or possession drug paraphernalia;

•Jason L. Johnson, 41, in care of Mahoning County Justice Center, felonious assault; domestic violence;

• Brian S. Fairchild, 48, in care of Mahoning County Justice Center, four counts operating a vehicle under the influence;

•Thomas L. Jones, 30, 9730 Lancaster Kirkersville Road, Baltimore, Ohio, illegal conveyance of drugs onto grounds of governmental facility; possession of LSD and possession of drugs;

•Burkholder, Justin, 34, in care of Mahoning County Justice Center, two counts burglary; theft of drugs and theft;

•Deandre Charles Kelly Johnson, 24, 595 Como St., Struthers, possession of a fentanyl-related compound;

Mark Anthony Koziorynsky, 41, in care of Mahoning County Justice Center, two counts operating a vehicle under the influence;

Daniel Uncapher, 27, in care of Mahoning County Justice Center, kidnapping; abduction; assault and aggravated menacing.

The grand jury did not indict in these cases:

Michael Koval, 39, in care of Mahoning County Justice Center, charges of grand theft and breaking and entering;

Tracy Benedetti, 49, 216 W. Ohio Ave., Apt. 404, Sebring, charges of identity theft, forgery, petty theft and criminal simulation;

Todd M. Mason, 48, 14979 W. Middletown Road, Salem, vehicular assault.

gvogrin@tribtoday.com