×

Teen indicted in alleged terror threats

YOUNGSTOWN — A city teen is indicted by a Mahoning County grand jury on 27 charges related to making terrorist threats and telecommunications harassment, in multiple locations across the country, in 2017 and 2018.

It’s the same teen — David M. Dorbish Jr., 17 — whose false calls to SWAT teams in various states were mentioned in articles published across the country in the spring. His name was not given at the time. Such crimes are sometimes called “swatting,” in which a person convinces an emergency services dispatcher to send a SWAT or other emergency services team to a non-existent emergency.

Judge Theresa Dellick of Mahoning County Juvenile Court bound Dorbish’s case over to adult court Oct. 10.

In April, Wisconsin authorities said the teen was charged with 73 counts of delinquency for a hoax call in that state and that the charges would be prosecuted in Mahoning County. Another state mentioned as having been hoaxed was New York. Altogether, Dorbish was charged with more than 100 offenses.

Wisconsin officials said the teen reported that he had shot a male and taken others hostage and gave a location near Columbus, Wisc.

Charges from all of the states are being prosecuted in Mahoning County because that is where the calls originated, said Wes Skeels, administrator of Mahoning County’s Martin P. Joyce Juvenile Justice Center.

The 27 charges in Dorbish’s indictment are four counts of making a terroristic threat, five of making false alarms, four of unlawful possession or use of a hoax weapon of mass destruction, two of identity fraud, six of possessing criminal tools, and three of misdemeanor telecommunications harassment.

Most of the charges are low-level felonies, though each count of making a terrorist threat could carry a prison term of about three years if convicted.

Dorbish is in the custody of the Juvenile Justice Center.

Three other people were indicted Thursday on charges related to an October traffic stop in which a Milton Township police officer was treated at the hospital after feeling strange and collapsed after she was exposed to a white, powdery substance.

The three are Jayme D. Valentine, 40, of the Mahoning County Justice Center, Jacquelynn E. Celesnik, 40, of Navarre and Annie J. Smoot, 30, of Akron.

Valentine and Celesnik are charged with inducing panic, two counts of receiving stolen property and single counts of improperly handling firearms in a motor vehicle and misdemeanor receiving stolen property.

Smoot is charged with inducing panic, two counts of receiving stolen property, and single counts of improperly handing firearms in a motor vehicle, misdemeanor receiving stolen property and misdemeanor falsification.

Officers pulled over Valentine for speeding on Mahoning Avenue near Grandview Avenue and found that she and the others were in a stolen car. Officers also found suspected drugs, plus cash and weapons, in the car.

Others indicted Thursday:

Andrew M. Wirth, 31, of Ravenna, two counts of importuning and single counts of attempted rape, disseminating matter harmful to juveniles, compelling prostitution and possessing criminal tools.

Gary Z. Whitfield, 34, of Potomac Avenue, domestic violence, misdemeanor aggravated menacing and misdemeanor violating a protection order.

Gregory S. Freeman Sr., 54, of Dayton, misdemeanor assault.

Chelsea Y. Hill, 24, of Royal Mall Drive, Niles, misuse of credit cards and receiving stolen property.

Kevin C.P. Brown, 46, of Woodland Avenue, Campbell, misdemeanor attempted theft.

Jon P. Gomori, 39, of Mahoning County Justice Center, making a terroristic threat.

James R. Snowden, 35, of Fifth Avenue Extension, aggravated drug possession.

Rayshown C. Johnson Sr., 24, of Cohasset Drive, misuse of credit cards and receiving stolen property.

Lancer McKinney, 27, of the Mahoning County Justice Center, two counts of having weapons under disability.

Delvin Williams Sr., 38, of West Evergreen Avenue, aggravated drug possession and fentanyl related drug compound possession.

Montell M. Gilbert, 39, of Miami Avenue, having weapons under disability, heroin related compound possession with a specification of forfeiture, heroin possession with a forfeiture specification, cocaine possession with a forfeiture specification, improperly handling firearms in a motor vehicle and operating a motor vehicle under the influence.

Gay Johnson, 23, of Clermont, Fla., fentanyl related compound possession.

Bobby Kelley III, 19, of Mahoning County Justice Center, robbery and theft from a person in a protected class.

Courtney J. Reynolds, 36, of Mahoning County Justice Center, operating a motor vehicle under the influence and misdemeanor child endangering.

Deon T. Shuler Jr., 22, of Mahoning Avenue, cocaine possession with a forfeiture specification.

DeAndre C. Johnson, 24, of Como Street, Struthers, receiving stolen property and obstructing official business.

Jose D. Perez, 40, of Normandy Drive, misdemeanor drug possession and misdemeanor selling, purchasing, distributing or delivering dangerous drugs.

Roderick M. Jackson, 34, of Ravenwood Avenue, having weapons under disability.

John M. Covington, 37, of Lilburn Drive, felonious assault, misdemeanor domestic violence and misdemeanor petty theft.

NEWSLETTER

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *
   

Starting at $4.85/week.

Subscribe Today