3 Arrested For Allegedly Shooting At State Vehicle

CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, Ohio—Three men were arrested and charged after authorities said they were responsible for gunfire that struck a state vehicle in late October.

NBC 4 reported with the FAST FACTS.

Champaign County Prosecutor Nick A. Selvaggio said criminal charges in the Champaign County Municipal Court against

Three men were charged for their parts in the Friday, Oct. 30, shooting that struck an Ohio Department of Natural Resources motor vehicle conducting stationary surveillance on private property.

Todd M. Noel, 34, was charged with improperly discharging a firearm in a motor vehicle, a felony of the fourth degree; hunting without permission, a misdemeanor of the third degree; prohibiting injuring persons or property while hunting, a misdemeanor of the first degree; and prohibiting jacklighting, a misdemeanor of the third degree.

Jesse W. Coffey, 37, was charged with complicity to improperly discharging a firearm in a motor vehicle, a felony of the fourth degree; failure to comply with order or signal of police officer, a felony of the fourth degree; hunting without permission, a misdemeanor of the third degree; and prohibiting jacklighting, a misdemeanor of the third degree.

Jacob E. Shepherd, 18, was charged with complicity to improperly discharging a firearm in a motor vehicle, a felony of the fourth degree; hunting without permission, a misdemeanor of the third degree; and complicity to prohibiting jacklighting, a misdemeanor of the third degree.

The men were placed in custody during an investigation when the incident occurred. They were released and not charged because further examination of the evidence was needed.

Once the analysis was complete, the decision was made to arrest the three men, charge them and take them into custody.

“The gravity of the incident and the upcoming scheduling of deer gun season were factors in our decision-making,“ Prosecutor Nick A. Selvaggio said.

The men currently were being held in the Tri-County Jail and were scheduled for arraignment Monday.

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