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YOUNGSTOWN -- A hearing on a defense motion to dismiss a host of felony charges against a Berlin Center man has been rescheduled for 30 days because of the unavailability of one of the investigators to testify Wednesday before a Mahoning County judge.
Jamie J. Longnecker, 43, of Newton Falls Road in Berlin Center, faces 53 charges after being accused of menacing about 30 people, including investigators in the case, over a five-year period.
Longnecker and his attorneys were ready to go with their case for dismissal Wednesday before Common Pleas Judge Anthony D'Apolito, but one of the investigators did not show, saying he didn't receive a subpoena to appear in court.
Longnecker's mother, Karen Longnecker, 75, also of Berlin Center, also appeared in court Wednesday as she is facing 49 counts of complicity; she is accused of aiding her son.
Court officials said another hearing is scheduled for Aug. 4. Records show a jury trial is set for Nov. 14 in D'Apolito's courtroom.
Longnecker is free after posting bond, but he has condition not to use telecommunication devices except for communication with his family, court officials or sign interpreters. He also is to have no contact with the alleged victims.
In the case against the Longneckers, prosecutors allege the defendants used the U.S. mail to send adult pornography to targeted individuals, who were all family members of a young woman who worked with Jamie Longnecker at a restaurant where he worked as a dishwasher.
The pornography was intended to cause distress to them, the Mahoning County Prosecuor's Office stated in a news release. Jamie Longnecker is alleged to have become "obsessed with this young girl when she didn't befriend him," the release states.