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, Hamilton County Sheriff Jim Neil and other law enforcement agencies hold press conference to discuss child pornography cases
Today, Hamilton County Prosecutor Joseph T. Deters, Hamilton County Sheriff Jim Neil and other law enforcement agencies discussed 9 recent child pornography indictments in Hamilton County. Recently indicted were: Eric Koch B 1905598; Jeremy Collins B 1902925 ; Zachary Courtney B 1905400; Clinton Williams B 1905718; Thomas Thompson B 1905601; Brian Hronek B 1905842; Dana Beasly B 1905846; John Chavies B 1906001; Alex Randolph B 1905999. Koch is charged with 10 counts of Pandering Sexually [...]
Hamilton County Prosecutor Joseph T. Deters refers possible extortion of former Bengal to bar associations
Today, Hamilton County Prosecutor Joseph T. Deters announced that no criminal charges would be filed in the possible extortion of former Bengal Chinedum Ndukwe. On August 24, 2019 an allegation of sexual assault was reported to the Cincinnati Police Department by a former female employee of Chinedum Ndukwe. On September 3rd Mr. Ndukewe received a letter from attorneys in Atlanta and Cincinnati demanding a payment of $10 million to resolve all differences between himself and [...]
Hamilton County Prosecutor Joseph T. Deters announces indictment in Metro bus shooting
Today, Hamilton County Prosecutor Joseph T. Deters announced the indictment of Joshua Ervin (DOB 2/15/89) for the August 17th murder of Neko Larkin. Ervin is charged with 1 count of Murder (Special Felony), 2 counts of Felonious Assault (Felony 2) and 1 count of Weapon Under Disability (Felony 3). If convicted of all charges, he faces the possibility of life in prison. Larkin was riding home from work at approximately 9:00 p.m. on the North [...]
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 [...]
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Today, Hamilton County Prosecutor Joseph T. Deters announced the indictment of Liscia Willis (DOB 7/21/70) for the murder of her father, retired Cincinnati Police Officer, James Lee (“Skip”) Dunlap. Willis is now charged with 1 count of Aggravated Murder (Special Felony), 1 count of Murder (Special Felony) and 1 count of Tampering with Evidence (Felony 3). If convicted of all charges, she faces the possibility of life in prison without parole.
The Forest Park Police Department was called to the home of Skip Dunlap late on the evening of December 20th to perform a wellness check. Mr. Dunlap’s wife, who was out of town visiting relatives, became concerned when she was not able to contact her husband. After multiple unsuccessful attempts to reach him, she called the police and asked them to go to her home and check on her husband.
When the police arrived at the home close to midnight on December 20th, they were met at the door by defendant Liscia Willis. Willis is Mr. Dunlap’s daughter and Mrs. Willis’ step-daughter. Willis was in the home with her girlfriend and her girlfriend’s two teenage children.
The police obtained permission from Mrs. Dunlap to search the home. The police discovered blood in the front hallway, kitchen and on the steps leading to the basement. Mr. Dunlap was found dead at the bottom of the basement stairs covered in blankets.
The Hamilton County Coroner’s preliminary report ruled Mr. Dunlap’s death a homicide as the result of hemorrhagic shock due to a stab wound of the neck with perforation of the left carotid artery.
Hamilton County Prosecutor Joseph T. Deters commented, “This is such a sad case.
Skip Dunlap was a long-time well respected Cincinnati Police Officer. It is hard to understand that he could retire from a dangerous job without injury only to be killed by a family member.”
From the Deters Family (including new-grandson Jack) to everyone celebrating today: Merry Christmas.
We are blessed to be part of such a wonderful community filled with such wonderful people.
Thank you to all, especially to those in our military and first responder community who cannot be home with their families today.
The Hamilton County Prosecuting Attorneys Office will be closed today and tomorrow.
On behalf of Prosecutor Joe Deters and the entire staff, we wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and happy holiday season!
Today, Hamilton County Prosecutor Joseph T. Deters announced the referral of a State of Ohio Auditor report regarding the "Gang of Five" case to a special prosecutor.
The report from the State Auditor concludes:
"POTENTIAL VIOLATIONS
This investigative summary focuses on potential criminal violations by five individual members of the City of Cincinnati Council - - ALEXANDER PAUL GEORGE (“P.G.”) SITTENFIELD, CHRISTOPHER (“CHRIS”) SEELBACH, GREG LANDSMAN, TAMAYA DENNARD, and WENDELL YOUNG - -specifically, Dereliction of Duty, although the conduct described may constitute additional violations of the Ohio Revised Code. This report identifies evidence currently known and will be updated with additional information, if received. Based upon the results of the foregoing investigation, the Auditor of State, Special Investigations Unit, respectfully requests the Prosecuting Attorney consider prosecution of the named individuals for the following offense:
Dereliction of Duty: From on or about January 19, 2018, until on or about March 24, 2018, P.G. SITTENFIELD, CHRIS SEELBACH, GREG LANDSMAN, TAMAYA DENNARD and WENDELL YOUNG, public servants serving as elected officers of a political subdivision, recklessly failed
to perform a duty expressly imposed by law with respect to the public servant’s office, or recklessly did an act expressly forbidden by law with respect to the public servant’s office, to wit: took official action and conducted deliberations upon official business by a majority of the public body, outside of the requirements of the City of Cincinnati Charter and the Open Meetings Act which requires such actions to be done only in open meetings, such actions constituting the offense of Dereliction of Duty, in violation of Ohio Revised Code Section 2921.44(E), a misdemeanor of the second degree."
Both the Hamilton County Prosecutor and the Cincinnati City Solicitor petitioned the Hamilton County Court of Common Pleas to appoint a special prosecutor as they have a conflict. Hamilton County Court of Common Pleas Judge Charles Kubicki appointed Patrick J. Hanley as the special prosecutor.
Hamilton County Prosecutor Joseph T. Deters commented, “I am glad that a special prosecutor will review this matter so that the public will have confidence that their elected officials are performing their duties in an honest and open manner.
Patrick J. Hanley, an experienced attorney, has been appointed by the court to handle this case. I have the utmost confidence in his ability to determine whether any charges are appropriate.”
Today, members of the Hamilton County Prosecutor’s Office were on hand in Columbus as the Ohio Prosecuting Attorneys Association honored Dayton Police officers who responded to the August 4th shooting. The quick and decisive actions of these officers in the face of danger saved countless lives.
We join with the OPAA in honoring the courage and bravery of these heroic officers.