East Liverpool man, Weirton mother indicted for murder – Morning Journal News

NEW CUMBERLAND The mother of a 3-year-old child who died in a 2021 house fire in downtown Weirton is one of two people who were indicted by the January term of the Hancock County grand jury on murder charges, Prosecuting Attorney Steven Dragisich reports.

Heather Renee Johnston, 38, 4141 Washington St., A, also was ordered to stand trial on two counts of gross neglect of a child creating substantial risk of injury or death, and child neglect resulting in death, as well as murder. Her husband Michael, 36, was indicted separately on two counts of gross neglect of a child creating substantial risk of injury or death and child neglect resulting in death.

The Johnstons young son, Keegan Johnston, was killed in a March 13 house fire on Orchard Street. Sources involved in the investigation had suggested the child had been locked in his room from the outside and couldnt get out when the fire started, though Heather Johnston and two other children were able to escape the flames.

The murder charge stems from Heather Johnstons alleged lack of effort to unlock the door so the child could escape the fire, authorities said, suggesting she walked by the stairwell multiple times without opening the lock and left the house with her other two children and dog while leaving the boys door latched.

Also ordered to stand trial for murder was Matthew R. Young, 25, 2721 Lisbon St., East Liverpool.

The indictment alleges Young shot and killed Matthew Mendelson, 33, the New York man whose body was found in a clearing off Racetrack Road near Mountaineer Casino, Racetrack and Resort on Sept. 19, 2020. Drugs are believed to have played a role in the crime.

Others indicted were:

Wayne Dakota Zapotoczny Jr., 19, 133 Marie Ave., Weirton, second degree sexual assault (three counts) and third-degree sexual assault (three counts). The charges against Zapotoczny involve a minor.

Samuel M. Lewis, 20, 419 Marland Heights Road, Weirton, second degree sexual assault and third-degree sexual assault. The charge against Lewis involves a minor.

Charles Keith Castner, 18, 3232 Elm St., Weirton, strangulation (two counts); second degree sexual assault and domestic battery.

Mark Allen Moore, 60, 11897 Ohio River Blvd., Chester, second offense failure to register as a sex offender (two counts), life registration.

Carl Brett Chain, 52, 2014 Pennsylvania Ave., Apt. 1, Weirton, second offense failure to register as a sex offender (three counts), life registration.

Harold Zachary Masters III, 40, Elm Street, Weirton, delivery of methamphetamine (two counts) and conspiracy to deliver methamphetamine.

Michael Thomas Swiger, 42, 3180 Hill St., Weirton, conspiracy to deliver methamphetamine.

Jason Marshall McCright, 49, Dayton, possession with intent to deliver methamphetamine, conspiracy to possess methamphetamine with intent to deliver.

Jason Lee Hearn, 18, 1345 Cove Road, Weirton, possession with intent to deliver methamphetamine and conspiracy to possess with intent to deliver methamphetamine.

Christopher Lee Cutright, 46, 116 N. 12th St., Weirton, possession with intent to deliver methamphetamine; possession with intent to deliver marijuana; wanton endangerment involving a firearm; assault and battery.

Dwayne Walker, 35, Cleveland, burglary, petit larceny and delivery of fentanyl.

Jimmie Keys, 42, Oak Street, Chester, delivery of cocaine.

Sabrina Lynn Criswell, 29, 282 Commerce St., New Cumberland, delivery of methamphetamine (four counts).

Angela Nally, 42, address unknown, delivery of fentanyl and conspiracy to deliver fentanyl.

Franklin Gilbert, 44, 331 Blossom Ave., Newell, conspiracy to deliver fentanyl, delivery of fentanyl (accessory before the fact).

Jack Travis Quinn, 41, 97 Palomino Drive, Apt. 5, Weirton, delivery of fentanyl.

Jeremy Dean Morgan, 46, Weirton, delivery of methamphetamine.

Fentanyl, cocaine and methamphetamine are all Schedule II controlled substances.

Francis Stephen Katnick, 37, 3132 Elm St., Weirton, person prohibited from possessing a firearm; possession of marijuana, a controlled substance, with intent to deliver; and possession of marijuana without a valid prescription.

Lee Aaron Varner, 53, 43 Hawk Court, Weirton, burglary, entry of a dwelling (two counts), violation of a protective order (two counts) and grand larceny.

Ryan Andrew Cunningham, 43, 609 Dresden Ave., Steubenville, burglary and entry of a dwelling.

Neil A. Cain, 26, 344 Orr St., Weirton, fraudulent use of an unauthorized access device (four counts).

Amanda L. Ogle, 40, 16895 Gibner Ave., East Liverpool, burglary; entry of a dwelling (two counts); transferring stolen property and petit larceny (two counts).

Christian A. Cameron, 23, 100 Aztec Lane, New Cumberland, entry of a dwelling (two counts), petit larceny (two counts), transferring stolen property and burglary.

Christopher R. Steele, 35, 2738 Lisbon St., East Liverpool, entry of a dwelling (two counts); burglary and transferring stolen property.

Leon Brant Forrester, 28, 115 Persimmion Lane, Chester, burglary; entry of a dwelling; grand larceny; and transferring stolen property.

Fred L. Bryan II, 42, 141 Janes Way, Chester, burglary and entry of a dwelling.

David M. Kane, 36, 249 W. 9th St., East Liverpool, burglary; petit larceny; and entry of a dwelling (two counts).

Kevin W. Hutto, 31, 926 Grant St., Weirton, burglary; entry of a dwelling (three counts); and grand larceny (two counts).

Matthew John Graham, 40, Pittsburgh, fraudulent schemes.

Stacey Brokaw (AKA, Stacey Locke), 47, 350 Cordray St., Newell, fraudulent schemes and 10 counts of uttering.

Rachel Bocek Shawver, 38, 127 Bell St., Weirton, fraudulent schemes

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East Liverpool man, Weirton mother indicted for murder - Morning Journal News