Correction appended.
Four men were in indicted by the Athens County Grand Jury Wednesday for the fatal shooting of Charles Duncan Sr. that occurred in November at 221 W. Washington Street.
Robert Andrew Martin, 26, of Glouster, was charged on 10 different counts. These counts included engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity, having weapons while under disability, aggravated trafficking in drugs, burglary, murder, involuntary manslaughter, aggravated robbery, robbery and two counts of receiving stolen property.
Troy Allen Vermillion II, 28, of Athens, was indicted on nine counts. These counts included engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity, having weapons while under disability, aggravated trafficking in drugs, burglary, murder, involuntary manslaughter, aggravated robbery, robbery and receiving stolen property.
Bernard C. Mitchell, 23, Athens, was also indicted on nine counts, which include engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity, having weapons while under disability, murder, involuntary manslaughter, aggravated robbery, robbery, breaking and entering, grand theft and burglary.
Michael Allen Russell, 20, of Athens, was indicted on six counts. Russell was wanted for robbery and turned himself in on Nov. 28, according to a previous Post report. The charges include having weapons while under disability, murder, involuntary manslaughter, aggravated robbery, robbery and receiving stolen property.
All of the charges the men were indicted for are felony charges.
In a report from Prosecutor Keller Blackburn, there are five men total accused of engaging in the trafficking in methamphetamine, including Jonathan McLaughlin. On Tuesday, McLaughlin was sentenced to 18 years in prison for his role in these crimes.
Each of the men are accused of accepting stolen property as payments for the drugs. Blackburn said in his report that it is believed that some of the men broke into homes and buildings themselves and took items including a Kubota lawnmower, firearms, jewelry and other items.
“All individuals involved are drug depending and/or in danger of being drug dependent and regularly possess, steal, transfer, or have control over firearms,” Blackburn said in his report.
It is also alleged the men are responsible for the death of Duncan, 55, on Nov. 25. Duncan was found in his apartment on West Washington Street with a fatal gunshot wound. It is alleged Duncan’s death was the result from the shooting of a firearm through the front door of the apartment.
Martin, Vermillion, Mitchell and Russell will be held in Southeastern Ohio Regional Jail until their arraignments in the Athens County Court of Common Pleas on Dec. 12.
The cases were investigated by the Athens Police Department, Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation, the Athens County Sheriff’s Office, Athens Major Crimes Unit, Glouster Police Department and the Athens County Prosecutor's Office.
Correction: A previous version of this report incorrectly stated the name of Southeastern Ohio Regional Jail. The article has been updated to reflect the most accurate information.
