Defiance County Prosecuting Attorney, Morris J. Murray, has released the following information regarding recent Indictments returned by a Defiance County Grand Jury on June 4, 2025:
Among those Indicted was 33-year-old Allan J. Froelich, of Defiance, who attempted to deliberately cause the death of another, and 23-year-old Triston L. Joost, of Defiance, for sex offenses involving a child under the age of thirteen.
Allan J. Froelich, age 33, 707 Martin Ave., Defiance, was indicted for One Count of Attempted Murder, a Felony of the First Degree, and Two Counts of Strangulation, each a Felony of the Third Degree. Authorities allege that on May 26, 2025, Froelich attempted to purposely cause the death of another, in Defiance. Authorities further allege that on May 25, 2025, and May 26, 2025, Froelich also created a substantial risk of serious physical harm to another by means of strangulation or suffocation.
Triston L. Joost, age 23, 1493 Terrawenda Dr., Defiance, was indicted for One Count of Rape, a Felony of the First Degree, and Two Counts of Gross Sexual Imposition, each a Felony of the Third Degree. Authorities allege that between April 1, 2018, through August 31, 2018, at residences in Defiance, Joost engaged in sexual conduct with a child under the age of ten. Authorities further allege that, during the same time frame, Joost also had sexual contact, with the same juvenile.
Other Indictments Included:
Blake M. Teegardin, age 32, 116 S. Main St., Hicksville, was indicted for One Count of Abusing Harmful Intoxicants, a Felony of the Fifth Degree. Authorities allege that on May 19, 2025, at a residence on S. Main St., in Hicksville, Teegardin used a harmful intoxicant, with purpose to induce intoxication or similar effects. Authorities further allege that Teegardin has a prior drug abuse conviction, which elevates the level of this offense to a felony.
Waynne E. Dauwalter, age 64, 6909 N. State Route 66, Lot 24, Defiance, was indicted for One Count of Operating a Vehicle Under the Influence of Alcohol, a Drug of Abuse or a Combination of Them, a Felony of the Third Degree. Authorities allege that on May 25, 2025, on Douglas St., in Defiance, Dauwalter operated a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs, and he also has a prior felony conviction of Operating a Vehicle Under the Influence.
Stephen L. Schomaeker, age 30, 313 Hopkins St., Defiance, was indicted for One Count of Domestic Violence, a Felony of the Fourth Degree. Authorities allege that on May 27, 2025, on W. High St., in Defiance, Schomaeker caused or attempted to cause physical harm to a family or household member, and he has a prior domestic violence conviction, which elevates the level of this offense to a felony.
Justin Whiteman, age 42, 11912 N. Park Dr., Syracuse, IN, was indicted for One Count of Non-Support of Dependents, a Felony of the Fifth Degree. Authorities allege that Whiteman failed to provide support, as required by Court order, for his child, under the age of eighteen, from May 1, 2023, through April 30, 2025.
Caleb Washler, age 34, 101 Sholl Ter, Hicksville, was indicted for One Count of Non-Support of Dependents, a Felony of the Fifth Degree. Authorities allege that Washler failed to provide support, as required by Court order, for his child, under the age of eighteen, from May 1, 2023, through April 30, 2025.
Jovon A. Morrison, age 29, 1849 Ginter Rd., Defiance, was indicted for One Count of Pandering Sexually-Oriented Matter Involving a Minor or Impaired Person, a Felony of the Second Degree, One Count of Illegal Use of a Minor or Impaired Person in Nudity-Oriented Matter, a Felony of the Second Degree, One Count of Pandering Obscenity Involving a Minor or Impaired Person, a Felony of the Fourth Degree, and One Count of Illegal Use of a Minor or Impaired Person in Nudity-Oriented Matter, a Felony of the Fifth Degree. Authorities allege that on September 25, 2024, Morrison created reproduced, or published material showing a minor participating or engaging in sexual activity, and he also created or transferred material showing a minor in a state of nudity. Authorities further allege that on August 23, 2024, Morrison also possessed obscene material involving a minor, and he possessed or viewed material showing a minor in a state of nudity.
Adam G. Blatteau, age 44, 5105 Havenwood, Apt. A., Defiance, was indicted for One Count of Failure to Appear as Required by Recognizance, a Felony of the Fourth Degree. Authorities allege that on May 28, 2025, Blatteau failed to appear at the Defiance County Common Pleas Court for a pre-trial hearing, in connection with the commission of a felony, after having been released on a personal recognizance bond.
Kalib M. Craig, age 25, 651 W. High St., Lot 17, Hicksville, was indicted for One Count of Sexual Battery, a Felony of the Third Degree, and One Count of Attempted Sexual Battery, a Felony of the Fourth Degree. Authorities allege that on or about May 31, 2025, through June 1, 2025, at his residence on High St., in Hicksville, Craig engaged in sexual conduct with an impaired individual, and he also attempted to engage in sexual conduct with an impaired individual.
Cassidy J. Witt, age 24, 110 W. Arthur St., Hicksville, was indicted for One Count of Sexual Battery, a Felony of the Third Degree. Authorities allege that that on or about May 31, 2025, through June 1, 2025, at a residence on High St., in Hicksville, Witt engaged in sexual conduct with an impaired individual.
Kyle McCabe, age 34, 1141 Oakwood, Napoleon, was indicted for One Count of Non-Support of Dependents, a Felony of the Fifth Degree. Authorities allege that McCabe failed to provide support, as required by Court order, for his child, under the age of eighteen, from May 1, 2023 through April 30, 2025.
Alex M. Farley, age 34, 105 Greenlawn Dr., Hicksville, was indicted for One Count of Aggravated Possession of Drugs, a Felony of the Fifth Degree. Authorities allege that on May 23, 2025, during a traffic stop on State Route 2, in Hicksville, Farley was found in possession of Methamphetamine, a Schedule II drug.
John W. Mobley, age 54, 8274 State Route 15, Apt. 12, Defiance, was indicted for One Count of Aggravated Possession of Drugs, a Felony of the Fifth Degree. Authorities allege that on May 3, 2025, during a traffic stop on Buckskin Rd., in Sherwood, Mobley was found in possession of Methamphetamine, a Schedule II drug.
Shawn T. Lewis, age 34, 302 Jackson Ave., Defiance, was indicted for One Count of Grand Theft of a Motor Vehicle, a Felony of the Fourth Degree. Authorities allege that on May 8, 2025, Lewis stole a motor vehicle belonging to another, from a residence on State Route 66, in Defiance.
Paul E. Anderson, age 49, 524 Hopkins St., Defiance, was indicted for One Count of Aggravated Trafficking in Drugs, a Felony of the Third Degree. Authorities allege that on January 6, 2025, at a residence in the City of Defiance, Anderson sold over three grams of Methamphetamine, a Schedule II drug, to a confidential informant.
Arraignments are scheduled for Wednesday, June 18, 2025, at 9 a.m.