Hamilton County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office
Joseph T. Deters, Prosecuting Attorney
“It’s an honor and privilege to serve as the Hamilton County Prosecuting Attorney. Our office is dedicated to serving the citizens of Hamilton County. I hope our website is helpful to you in explaining the many duties of the County Prosecutor and by giving you someone to contact if you have questions.”
Press/Media |
Hamilton County Prosecutor Joseph T. Deters announces officer was justified in September 11th officer-involved shooting
Today, Hamilton County Prosecutor Joseph T. Deters announced that no charges would be filed against the officer in the September 11th officer-involved shooting in Avondale. A plainclothes Cincinnati Police Officer was working undercover in Avondale in an unmarked vehicle at approximately 12:15 p.m. when he saw a man, now known as Vernell S. Jackson (DOB 03/06/1999), pull a gun out of his pocket and move it to his waistband. The undercover officer radioed for a [...]
Hamilton County Pr0secutor Joseph T. Deters announces indictment in rape and child pornography case
Today, Hamilton County Prosecutor Joseph T. Deters announced the indictment of William Joseph Bustillos III (DOB 12/4/93) on charges of 3 counts of Rape (Felony 1), 1 count of Gross Sexual Imposition (Felony 3), 2 counts of Pandering Sexually Oriented Matter Involving a Child (Felony 2) and 1 count of Illegal Use of a Minor in a Nudity Oriented Material (Felony 2). If convicted of all charges, he faces life in prison without the possibility [...]
Hamilton County Prosecutor Joseph T. Deters announces indictment in murder of Carl Leggett, Jr.
Today, Hamilton County Prosecutor Joseph T. Deters announced the indictment of Terry Stiles (DOB 10-5-85) for the May 18th death of 14-year-old Carl Leggett, Jr. Stiles is now indicted for 1 count of Murder (Special Felony). If convicted, he faces the possibility of 15 years-life in prison. Stiles was originally charged with Felonious Assault for assaulting 5-month-old Carl Leggett, Jr. in July 2005. He pled guilty and was convicted of Felonious Assault (Felony 2). He [...]
Hamilton County Prosecutor Joseph T. Deters announces prolific serial killer Samuel Little will be arraigned
MEDIA ADVISORY HAMILTON COUNTY PROSECUTOR JOSEPH T. DETERS ADVISES THAT PURSUANT TO OHIO CRIMINAL RULE 43, PROLIFIC SERIAL KILLER SAMUEL LITTLE WILL BE ARRAIGNED, PLEAD GUILTY AND SENTENCED ON FRIDAY, AUGUST 23, 2019 AT NOON BEFORE JUDGE MELBA MARSH. JUDGE MARSH WILL PRESIDE OVER THIS HEARING LIVE VIA TELECONFERENCE FROM THE HAMILTON COUNTY LAW LIBRARY. ALSO PRESENT AT THIS LOCATION WILL BE PROSECUTOR JOSEPH T. DETERS AND FRANKLIN COUNTY PROSECUTOR RON O’BRIEN REPRESENTING THE STATE [...]
Hamilton County Prosecutor Joseph T. Deters announces indictment of Geoffrey D. Drew
Today, Hamilton County Prosecutor Joseph T. Deters announced the indictment of Geoffrey D. Drew. Drew is now indicted on 9 counts of Rape (Aggravated Felony 1) for a period ranging from 1988-1991. Drew is charged with raping a male elementary school student while Drew was employed at St. Jude School as the Music Minister. Drew was not a priest at the time as he was ordained in 2004. The incidents took place in Drew’s office [...]
|
|
We would like to give a special thanks to the members of the Hamilton County Prosecutor's Office Civil Division who worked alongside the Clerk's Office to recover nearly $700,000 in abandoned funds.
On behalf of the Prosecutor's Office and the citizens of Hamilton County, job well done to Jim Ginocchio, Michael Florez, James Sayre, Jim Barbiere, and Cooper Bowen!
Part of being the County Prosecutor involves working together with other local elected officials to help make Hamilton County better!
Hamilton County Clerk of Courts Aftab Pureval and Hamilton County Prosecutor Joseph T. Deters announced on Wednesday that they have collected nearly $700,000 in new revenue by recouping unclaimed funds. These funds were never obtained after court cases ended. Clerk Pureval announced that the Clerk's office identified 1,038 cases with years of no activity and with abandoned funds that were lingering in long-forgotten cases.
Prosecutor Deters commented: “My staff examined the Unclaimed Funds, Open Items and Inactive Cases for the Clerk over the course of the last 18 years. This was a huge undertaking and cleared the way for the collection of these funds. We were pleased to work with the Clerk's Office to recover hundreds of thousands of dollars for Hamilton County. This is the type of good government partnerships that the citizens of Hamilton County deserve."
Today, Hamilton County Prosecutor Joseph T. Deters announced that no charges would be filed against the officer in the September 11th officer-involved shooting in Avondale.
A plainclothes Cincinnati Police Officer was working undercover in Avondale in an unmarked vehicle at approximately 12:15 p.m. when he saw a man, now known as Vernell S. Jackson (DOB 03/06/1999), pull a gun out of his pocket and move it to his waistband.
The undercover officer radioed for a uniformed officer to assist. Cincinnati Police Officer Marc Schildmeyer responded in uniform in a marked police cruiser. Both the undercover officer and Officer Schildmeyer pulled up near Jackson in the area of Blair Court and Ridgeway Avenue. Officer Schildmeyer exited his cruiser and ordered Jackson three times to show his hands. Jackson was standing sideways to the officer with his right side towards the officer. Jackson had a loaded gun in his left waistband. Rather than show his hands as ordered, Jackson pulled a gun from his left waistband and raised it as he turned towards Officer Schildmeyer. Officer Schildmeyer fired once, striking Jackson in the chest.
Officer Schildmeyer immediately began lifesaving measures on Jackson until paramedics arrived. Jackson was transported to University of Cincinnati Medical Center where he underwent surgery and, at last check, remains in critical but stable condition.
Jackson’s loaded Hi-Point .380 semiautomatic handgun was recovered at the scene.
Jackson now faces Carrying a Concealed Weapon (F4) and Aggravated Menacing (M1) charges.
Hamilton County Prosecutor Joseph T. Deters commented, “We have another Cincinnati Police Officer to be commended for the manner in which he handled a dangerous situation. Jackson, armed with a loaded gun, was ready to shoot.
Because of Officer Schildmeyer’s quick response and training, we are here today not talking about an officer shot in the line of duty or the shooting of innocent bystanders.
Officer Schildmeyer’s cruiser and body-worn camera footage shows Jackson raising his gun towards the officer. Officer Schildmeyer was 100% justified in shooting Jackson. He likely saved his own life as well as the lives of others. As I said before, he is to be commended.”
Prosecutor Deters also expresses his appreciation to Cincinnati Police Chief Eliot K. Isaac and his staff for their cooperation in this investigation and assistance in the matter.
Today, Hamilton County Prosecutor Joseph T. Deters announced the indictment of William Joseph Bustillos III (DOB 12/4/93) on charges of of Rape, Gross Sexual Imposition, Pandering Sexually Oriented Matter Involving a Child, and Illegal Use of a Minor in a Nudity Oriented Material. Bustillos is charged with raping and photographing a 5-year-old boy between November 1 through December 31, 2018. If convicted of all charges, he faces life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Prosecutor Deters commented, “These cases are some of the worst that we prosecute. No matter how many years I do this work, I will never understand abusing a child like this.
These are serious charges and I want to make sure that Bustillos spends the rest of his life in prison.”
Today, along with Franklin County Prosecutor Ron O'Brien, Hamilton County Prosecutor Joseph T. Deters was present on behalf of the State of Ohio for the plea and sentencing of prolific serial killer Samuel Little, who appeared via teleconference from the California State Prison in Los Angeles County.
Present in Los Angeles was Chief Assistant Prosecutor Mark Piepmeier, alongside Cincinnati Police Homicide Detective Kelly Best and Texas Ranger James Holland.
We are all proud to see justice finally done on behalf of Samuel Little's victims in Hamilton County.