Judge rules in sexual offender challenge

LISBON - A judge found that a former Salem man was classified correctly as a Tier III sex offender, but ruled that he's not subject to the community notification requirement since he wasn't subject to the requirement previously.

Jeffrey Yeager, 44, whose last known address was listed as Fair Ave., Salem, had filed a lawsuit last year to challenge his reclassification by the state after a new federal law was passed requiring more stringent reporting requirements for sex offenders. He and many other registered sex offenders filed the lawsuits against the state of Ohio.

They lost their challenge to the constitutionality of the state's action, but local judges were looking at their petitions on an individual basis to determine if the state made an error with their reclassification. Some who were close to ending their reporting requirements had their classification changed, increasing the length of their requirement and how often they had to report.

Judge David Tobin of Columbiana County Common Pleas Court ruled that Yeager, who's now living in Rootstown according to the sex offender registry, was classified correctly as Tier III, meaning he has to register his address every 90 days for the rest of his life. Court information indicated he was convicted of rape in 1993.

Tobin also said, though, that the community notification requirement wasn't proper in his case. The community notification requirement requires the Sheriff's Office to tell neighbors, schools and others in the area about a sex offender who's living in their neighborhood if he or she is classified at the highest level.

Also in Common Pleas Court:

David Wright, 49, of 2160 Harvey Ave., East Liverpool, was sentenced to four years in prison after pleading guilty to two counts of burglary and single counts of having weapons under disability and failure of sexually oriented offender to verify address, all felonies. He received credit for 129 days already served in the county jail. Court documents said Wright broke into a residence in East Liverpool on June 28, stole a jar of change, a lock box, credit cards and a .357-magnum revolver and later broke into another residence and hid the stolen gun and holster in the basement. He was found in an upstairs room. He's not permitted to have a firearm due to a previous conviction for sex offenses. He also failed to verify his address with the sheriff's office as required since he's a registered sex offender, documents said.

Cary Barnes, 41, of 2010 Alder St., East Liverpool, was sentenced to one year in prison after pleading guilty to robbery, a felony. He received credit for 148 days already served in jail. Documents said Barnes and a co-defendant choked and punched Kenneth Wilt on Feb. 7 in East Liverpool while stealing his wallet.

Heather Compton, 22, of Darlington, Pa., was sentenced to six months at the Eastern Ohio Correction Center probationary facility and placed under community control for five years for complicity to breaking and entering and complicity to vandalism, both felonies. A charge of complicity to theft was dismissed. Documents said Compton helped two men in a break-in at Lakewood Chemical in Negley on May 18, 2006 when they stole copper wire and caused damages in excess of $100,000.

Joni Vantilburg, 30, of 1120 James Drive, Wellsville, was placed on probation for three years for permitting drug abuse, a misdemeanor, with credit for two days served in the county jail. Her license was suspended for six months. Documents said she had a crack pipe with cocaine residue in her purse on June 30, 2007.

Steve Billiter, 42, of Zephyr Hills, Fla., pleaded guilty to two counts of non-support of dependents, a fifth-degree felony, with sentencing Jan. 27. Documents said Billiter filed to pay child support for two children from November 2002 to July 2008.

Brock Menough, 24, of 32242 Woodale Drive, Hanoverton, pleaded guilty to possession of cocaine, a fifth-degree felony, with sentencing Feb. 4. Documents said Menough possessed cocaine on Oct. 3, 2007.

Mary Ann Greier can be reached at mgreier@salemnews.net