Three local residents pleaded not guilty at their arraignment hearings in the Athens County Court of Common Pleas Wednesday.
Charles McCarron, 44, Ben Blackburn, 22, and Michelle Fidell, 44, all pleaded not guilty to their charges and are being held on bond at Southeastern Ohio Regional Jail.
McCarron, of Nelsonville, was charged with one count of burglary, one count of robbery and one count of intimidation of a victim in a criminal case.
The charges stemmed from an incident April 9 when McCarron allegedly broke into his neighbor’s house on Walnut Street through the window with a broom. He proceeded to take the television from the kitchen, and when the resident encountered him, McCarron threatened to “cut her throat,” according to court documents.
During his arrest, McCarron threatened the arresting officer by telling him he could be “taken care of with a .50 cal (rifle),” according to court documents.
Burglary is a second-degree felony. Robbery and intimidation of a victim in a criminal case are third-degree felonies. McCarron could spend a maximum of 18 years in prison and pay a maximum fine of $35,000 if convicted of all charges, according to the Ohio Revised Code.
His trial is set to begin June 28.
Blackburn, of Amesville, was charged with one count of menacing by stalking.
Blackburn was arrested April 4 after he allegedly chased his 16-year-old ex-girlfriend to the parking lot of Taco Bell, 978 E. State St., according to court documents.
Blackburn previously made several attempts to run the juvenile off U.S. Route 50. Once at the restaurant, Blackburn threatened to kill the victim and burn her house down, according to the documents.
Menacing by stalking is a fourth-degree felony. Blackburn could spend a maximum of 18 months in prison and pay a maximum fine of $5,000 if convicted, according to the Ohio Revised Code.
His trial is set to begin June 30.
Fidell, of Nelsonville, was charged with aggravated trafficking in drugs and corrupting another with drugs.
The charges stemmed from an incident March 9 when Fidell enabled her 17-year-old daughter to sell oxycodone tablets to an undercover informant, according to court documents.
Corrupting another with drugs is a second-degree felony, and aggravated trafficking in drugs is a fifth-degree felony. Fidell could spend a maximum of nine years in prison and pay a maximum fine of $17,500 if convicted, according to the Ohio Revised Code.
Her trial is set to begin June 28.
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