Loveland Magazine

LOVELAND MAGAZINE

News and Events from the Loveland, Ohio Area

Without fear or favor

Since 2004

Tag: milford

  • Newly expanded Milford St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store

    Newly expanded Milford St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store

    Milford, Ohio – The newly expanded Milford St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store opened on Friday, June 6.

    813 Main Street
    Milford, OH 45150
    Phone: 513-248-2664

    Mon – Sat: 9am – 8pm
    Sunday: 10am – 6pm

    Air Conditioner Request

    St. Vincent de Paul distributes window air conditioning units. In order to receive one, you must meet the following requirements:

    *Live in Hamilton County
    *Be 65 years old or older or have a medical need for an AC
    *Have not received an AC from SVDP in the last four years (2021-2024)
    *Be able to pick up (or send someone to pick up) the unit

    Completing the FORM does not guarantee that you will receive an AC. Distribution is based on eligibility and availability of ACs. If we are able to assist you, we will contact you via the method you indicate on this request form with more information. 

    (Unfortunately, not unable to help with installation of the unit.)

    You can help

    You can help provide comfort and relief to neighbors in need. $150 can provide an air conditioner for a family in need.

    Give online now, call 513-421-HOPE, or mail in a donation to St. Vincent de Paul, Attn: AC Drive, 1125 Bank Street, Cincinnati, OH 45214.

     

  • Is your child starting Kindergarten in Milford next year?

    Is your child starting Kindergarten in Milford next year?

    Milford, Ohio – Do you have an incoming Milford Kindergartener, or know a family with a child turning five this summer? Don’t miss the opportunity to enroll in Milford’s Kindergarten program.

    To be eligible, children must be 5 years old on or before August 1, 2025.
    Families interested in the Kindergarten Lottery must submit all required forms by March 31, 2025.
    To secure your child’s spot today—enroll at: https://www.milfordschools.org/…/central…
  • Milford School issues plan to reduce busing for next school year

    Milford School issues plan to reduce busing for next school year

    Milford, Ohio – The Milford School District will reduce busing eligibility for students starting next school year.

    Below is the statement the District released making the announcement:

    Milford Schools Bussing Eligibility 2025-2026

    January 8, 2025

    Bus Transportation Eligibility for the 2025-2026 School Year

    Due to the failure of the Earned Income Tax (EIT) levy, Milford Exempted Village School District (MEVSD) will be reducing all student transportation services to align with Ohio’s state minimum transportation requirements beginning in the 2025-2026 school year. These changes include the following:

    • No transportation will be provided for high school students (grades 9-12).
    • Transportation will only be available for students residing outside a 2-mile driving distance of their assigned school building.

    We understand these changes may present challenges for families, and we appreciate your understanding as we work to responsibly steward our resources.

    Determining Your Child’s Transportation Eligibility

    To determine if your child is eligible for transportation services, please refer to the Bus Eligibility Address Lists linked below. If your home address is listed in the provided PDFs, your child qualifies for state minimum busing.

    If your home address does not appear on any of the provided lists your child will not be eligible for district-provided transportation services for the upcoming school year.

    Important Notes:

    • Addresses are based on driving distance calculations, not walking distance.
    • These eligibility lists are final and were determined based on state transportation guidelines.
    • Eligibility data comes directly from our busing vendor, Petermann Bus, using their advanced routing software to ensure accuracy and compliance with state requirements.
    • Students currently receiving special transportation services through an IEP will continue to have access to those services in the upcoming school year.

    For further questions or clarification, please refer to our Pause on Sister School FAQ for information regarding the pause on sister school transition, pay-to-play cuts, and more.

    Thank you for your understanding and support as we navigate these necessary adjustments.

  • Retail medical and recreational cannabis sales still prohibited in Loveland

    Retail medical and recreational cannabis sales still prohibited in Loveland

    As Ohio recreational and medical cannabis markets open to anyone over the age of 21 the City of Loveland still prohibits dispensaries

    Loveland, Ohio – On November 7, 2023, a majority of Ohio voters approved Issue 2 to legalize the possession and use of marijuana by individuals aged 21 and over, and the sale of marijuana by state-licensed dispensaries. The bill also created the Division of Cannabis Control (DCC) within the Ohio Department of Commerce.

    Under the provision an individual must be at least 21 years old to purchase, possess, grow, or use non-medical cannabis.

    The Ohio Department of Commerce Division of Cannabis Control (DCC) issued its first set of dual-use Certificates of Operation (COO) to 98 eligible dispensaries across the state on Aug. 6.

    Once an entity has received its certificates of operation, it is legally authorized to begin the sale of recreational (non-medical) cannabis in addition to medical cannabis. However, the issuance of COOs does not necessarily mean non-medical sales will begin immediately at every dispensary, as each licensee must determine when they will start sales based on factors including staffing, stock and other business considerations.

    In order to receive a certificate, dispensaries must show they are able to properly process adult recreational use and medical sales since there’s a tax consideration. In addition, licensees must validate that their security systems meet legal requirements and agree they will ensure as much as possible inventory remains available for medical patients. They also must validate employee training and have implemented updated employee badging.

    Recreational cannabis sales are subject to state and local sales tax. In addition, the initiated statute includes a 10% excise tax on non-medical marijuana purchases. The excise tax revenue will go toward a social equity and jobs program, mental health and addiction services, local governments, and the administrative costs of the Ohio Department of Taxation and the Division of Cannabis Control.

    As reported by WHIO News Center, over $10 million in sales was generated in just the first few days, according to the Ohio Division of Cannabis Control. “The tax money made from the sales will be divided into four parts. One of the biggest portions goes to local government, where they can use that funding for anything they’re approved for.” 36 percent of the taxes received will go to local governments that have recreational dispensaries.

    57% of Ohioans voted to legalize recreational marijuana in November but there has been nowhere to legally purchase it, until now. Ohio cannabis consumers no longer have to drive to Michigan or resort to the unregulated street market. The Ohio Department of Commerce Division of Cannabis Control gave 98 dispensaries the green light to start selling recreational marijuana by giving them their certificates of operation on August 6. Ten Columbus dispensaries, eight Cincinnati dispensaries, and five Cleveland dispensaries received their certificates of operation on Tuesday.

    Dispensaries already selling medical marijuana were awarded the first round of licenses to customers without needing a medical marijuana card. Medical marijuana patients don’t have to pay the excise tax on the product.

    When the proposed recreational marijuana law was heading to Ohio’s November, 2023 ballot, Hamilton County submitted the most valid signatures with 1,914. Next was Franklin County with 711 and Montgomery County with 626.

    The Coalition to Regulate Marijuana like Alcohol’s statute also legalizes “home grow” for Ohioans 21 and up with a limit of six plants per person and 12 plants per residence.

    Consumers are able to purchase cannabis in the forms and methods of administration available under the Medical Marijuana Control Program. This includes the following:

    • Oral Administration: Oils, Tinctures, Capsules, Edibles, Sublinguals, Tablets
    • Topical Administration: Lotions, Creams, Ointments
    • Transdermal Administration: Patches
    • Vaporization: Metered Oil or Solid, Plant Material

    Although Ohioans are now legally able to grow marijuana, under current law there is no legal way to purchase plants or seeds until non-medical dispensaries are permitted to begin selling them.

    The following forms of recreational (non-medical) cannabis may be sold at dispensaries: plant material and seeds, live plants, clones (a non-flowering plant cut from a mother plant), extracts, drops, lozenges, oils, tinctures, edibles, patches, smoking or combustible product, vaporization of product, beverages, pills, capsules, suppositories, oral pouches, oral strips, oral and topical sprays, salves, lotions or similar cosmetic products, and inhalers.

    Prohibited in Loveland

    After Ohio passed Bill 523 that allowed municipalities to adopt an ordinance prohibiting “the operation of marijuana dispensaries” Loveland declared an emergency and did just that. The emergency was for the “…immediate preservation of the health, safety, and morals of the City of Loveland and is necessary to assure adequate regulation are in place prior to the effective date” of Bill 523.

    Loveland City Council, following a recommendation of the Planing and Zoning Commission, passed Section 1165.18 of the Code of Ordinances titled Marijuana Prohibition on December, 13, 2016. It states that, “Marijuana cultivators, processors and retail dispensaries shall be prohibited within all Zoning Districts” in the City.


    1165.18 MARIJUANA PROHIBITION.
    Marijuana cultivators, processors and retail dispensaries shall be prohibited within all Zoning Districts. (Ord. 2016-110. Passed 12-13-16.)

    [pdf-embedder url=”https://lovelandmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/CH_Sharp@lovelandoh.gov_20240815_155103.pdf”]

     

    Becky Noel, the Permit Specialist with the Loveland Building Department  told Loveland Magazine that as far as she knows, there has only been one or two inquires to her office in the past year from individuals possibly interested in opening a retail marijuana dispensary in the City. She said, “Nobody has officially applied yet.” In order for an application to be considered, the Loveland code would have to be amended, including the zoning code.

    Permitted in Milford

    At first, Milford did as Loveland did and prohibited dispensaries, but has since given a monopoly to only one company by signing a “Host Community Agreement” with Cascade Southern Ohio LLC on Sept 20, 2022. Cascade operates their dispensary at River’s Edge under the name, UpLift. Milford Council decided that there should be only one dispensary within their corporate limits.

    Ohio Cannabis Dispensary Map

    Cannabis dispensaries are located throughout the State of Ohio. Use this map to help you locate one by name or location.
  • Milford City Manager resigns after investigation for allegedly attempting to purchase sex from a 15-year-old girl

    Milford City Manager resigns after investigation for allegedly attempting to purchase sex from a 15-year-old girl

    Milford, Ohio – The former city manager of Milford in Clermont County has been charged with importuning, Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost and Montgomery County Sheriff Rob Streck announced on August 12.

    Michael Doss was charged in the Montgomery County Court of Common Pleas with one count of importuning, a fifth-degree felony.

    An undercover investigation by the Miami Valley Human Trafficking Task Force revealed that Doss allegedly attempted to purchase sex from an individual he believed was a 15-year-old girl. Additional charges are anticipated in the case according to a news release from Yost’s office.

    Doss recently resigned as Milford’s city manager after he was confronted about the allegations. He was Milford’s Manager for roughly 8 years.

    The Miami Valley Human Trafficking Task Force is formed under the attorney general’s Ohio Organized Crime Investigations Commission and is led by the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office. The task force includes resources from the Butler Township Police Department, Oakwood Police and Homeland Security Investigations.

    _________________

    Section 2907.07 Ohio Revised Code Importuning.

    (A) No person shall solicit a person who is less than thirteen years of age to engage in sexual activity with the offender, whether or not the offender knows the age of such person.

    (B)(1) No person shall solicit another, not the spouse of the offender, to engage in sexual conduct with the offender, when the offender is eighteen years of age or older and four or more years older than the other person, and the other person is thirteen years of age or older but less than sixteen years of age, whether or not the offender knows the age of the other person.

    (2) No person shall solicit another to engage in sexual conduct with the offender, when the offender is eighteen years of age or older and four or more years older than the other person, the other person is sixteen or seventeen years of age and a victim of a violation of section 2905.32 of the Revised Code, and the offender knows or has reckless disregard of the age of the other person.

    (C) No person shall solicit a person who is less than sixteen years of age to engage in sexual activity with the offender when the person who is less than sixteen years of age is substantially impaired because of a mental or physical condition.

    (D) No person shall solicit another by means of a telecommunications device, as defined in section 2913.01 of the Revised Code, to engage in sexual activity with the offender when the offender is eighteen years of age or older and either of the following applies:

    (1) The other person is less than thirteen years of age, and the offender knows that the other person is less than thirteen years of age or is reckless in that regard.

    (2) The other person is a law enforcement officer posing as a person who is less than thirteen years of age, and the offender believes that the other person is less than thirteen years of age or is reckless in that regard.

    (E) No person shall solicit another by means of a telecommunications device, as defined in section 2913.01 of the Revised Code, to engage in sexual activity with the offender when the offender is eighteen years of age or older and either of the following applies:

    (1) The other person is thirteen years of age or older but less than sixteen years of age, the offender knows that the other person is thirteen years of age or older but less than sixteen years of age or is reckless in that regard, and the offender is four or more years older than the other person.

    (2) The other person is a law enforcement officer posing as a person who is thirteen years of age or older but less than sixteen years of age, the offender believes that the other person is thirteen years of age or older but less than sixteen years of age or is reckless in that regard, and the offender is four or more years older than the age the law enforcement officer assumes in posing as the person who is thirteen years of age or older but less than sixteen years of age.

    (F) Divisions (D) and (E) of this section apply to any solicitation that is contained in a transmission via a telecommunications device that either originates in this state or is received in this state.

    (G)(1) Whoever violates this section is guilty of importuning.

    (2) A violation of division (A), (C), or (D) of this section is a felony of the third degree on a first offense, and, notwithstanding division (C) of section 2929.13 of the Revised Code, there is a presumption that a prison term shall be imposed as described in division (D) of section 2929.13 of the Revised Code. If the offender, in addition to soliciting the other person, arranged to meet the other person for the purpose of engaging in sexual activity, the court shall impose upon the offender as a mandatory prison term one of the prison terms prescribed in division (A)(3)(b) of section 2929.14 of the Revised Code for a felony of the third degree.

    If the offender previously has been convicted of a sexually oriented offense or a child-victim oriented offense, a violation of division (A), (C), or (D) of this section is a felony of the second degree, and the court shall impose upon the offender as a mandatory prison term one of the definite prison terms prescribed in division (A)(2)(b) of section 2929.14 of the Revised Code for a felony of the second degree, except that if the violation is committed on or after March 22, 2019, the court shall impose as the minimum prison term for the offense a mandatory prison term that is one of the minimum terms prescribed in division (A)(2)(a) of that section for a felony of the second degree.

    (3) A violation of division (B) or (E) of this section is a felony of the fifth degree on a first offense, and, notwithstanding division (B) of section 2929.13 of the Revised Code, there is a presumption that a prison term shall be imposed as described in division (D) of section 2929.13 of the Revised Code. The court shall impose upon the offender as a mandatory prison term one of the prison terms prescribed in section 2929.14 of the Revised Code for a felony of the fifth degree if both of the following apply:

    (a) Either of the following applies:

    (i) The offender is ten or more years older than the other person.

    (ii) Regarding a violation of division (E)(2) of this section, a law enforcement officer posed as a person thirteen years of age or older but less than sixteen years of age and the offender is ten or more years older than the officer claimed to be.

    (b) In addition to soliciting the other person, the offender arranged to meet the other person for the purpose of engaging in sexual activity.

    (4) If the offender previously has been convicted of a sexually oriented offense or a child-victim oriented offense, a violation of division (B) or (E) of this section is a felony of the fourth degree, and the court shall impose upon the offender as a mandatory prison term one of the prison terms prescribed in section 2929.14 of the Revised Code for a felony of the fourth degree that is not less than twelve months in duration.

  • Eastside Business Bash has become a staple in the Milford-Miami Township-Loveland area

    Eastside Business Bash has become a staple in the Milford-Miami Township-Loveland area

    “This event has become a staple for our business community,” says CeeCee Collins, President of the Little Miami River Chamber Alliance.

    Advertisement

    Milford-Miami Township-Loveland, Ohio – The 2024 Eastside Business Bash, presented by Bassett Services and hosted by the Milford Miami Township Chamber and Little Miami River Chamber Alliance, will take place on March 7 from 4 until 7 PM, at the Little Miami Brewing Event Center, 310 Mill St in Milford, Ohio. In the third year of this event, the hype has grown, with the 48 booth slots selling out in record time. The Bash provides an easy and interesting way for attendees to learn about a wide variety of B-to-B and B-to-C businesses in the area.

    Attending the Expo is free, and the first 50 people to arrive will receive a free beer, featuring Little Miami Brewing’s unique hand-crafted beers. Attendees will enjoy light bites and drinks from the cash bar as they browse the booths. Items from local businesses and attendees will be raffled off throughout the afternoon.

    Little Miami Brewing Event Center

    This crossover event supports not only the entire Milford-Miami Township-Loveland area, but the entire east side of our region. In the past two years, over 200 people attended the Bash to explore the various businesses.

    “This event has become a staple for our business community,” says CeeCee Collins, President of the Little Miami River Chamber Alliance. “We couldn’t believe how quickly booths sold out, and requests have continued to come in.”

    Andrea Brady, Executive Director of the Milford Miami Township Chamber, adds, “Because this event is so well-attended – it’s in a fun location, with a wide variety of businesses to explore – it’s sought-after as an effective way to reach a large swath of the area.”

    The Event Center sits at the start of downtown Milford, a street lined with unique shops and restaurants. The DORA (Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area) allows alcoholic drinks to be carried on the street (in DORA cups), so visitors may browse the shops and wend their way to dinner after the event while enjoying their beverage.

    220 MILL ST. MILFORD, OH 45150 (513) 831-2411  INFO@MILFORDMIAMITOWNSHIP.COM

    For more information, visit the Milford Miami Township and Little Miami River Chamber Alliance websites.

     

     

  • Dozens graduate Citizens Police Academy Classes

    Dozens graduate Citizens Police Academy Classes

    The Loveland Citizen Police Academy Class of 2023

    by Mahi Sheth

    Loveland, Ohio – The Loveland, Miami Township, and Milford Police Departments held a ten-week Citizens Police Academy Class that started on September 6, and ended on November 15 with a dinner and diploma presentation. There were multiple instructors each week of the ten-week unique experience, including Det. Jesse Moore and Lt. Amy Campbell who led the Loveland participants.

    The academy was a joint effort of the Loveland, Miami Township, and Milford departments and citizens from all three communities participated and graduated. Each department provided custom shirts to their community members along with “swag” gifts.

    Loveland Magazine Managing Editor David Miller graduated from the Loveland Citizen’s Police Academy on November 15. Here he is during the graduation ceremony with Det. Jessee Moore and Lt. Amy Campbell who led the Loveland participants.

    A variety of subjects were covered during the course, including a preview of what an officer’s day looked like as well as some education about jails and the judicial system. The citizens were given a tour of the Loveland Police Department to kick off the classes. U.C. Air Care came to tell about their services. There was also a “mock crash” course, which was taught by both Miami Township and Milford fire departments.

    Throughout the weeks, the Loveland Police Department offered their expertise and provided many experiences, including Taser use and handcuffing, and a K9 demonstration at the Loveland canine training course next to Bodley Park. There was a field trip to the Scarlet Oaks campus for gun safety at the live range facility where students could shoot an officer’s service weapon. The classes took place throughout Loveland, Miami Township, and Milford.

    There was a session at Sora’s Towing to teach about the equipment used to extract vehicle crash victims. The Clermont County Sheriffs Office provided a tour of the county jail and taught about the jail’s background and history.

    One class was led by the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigations.

    Mock crime scenes were set up at the Loveland Safety Center and there were sessions on narcotics crisis intervention, use of force, and media portrayal. There was an active shooter course at the First Baptist Church in Miami Township where classmates got a chance to role-play saving the lives of hostages and innocent bystanders.

    A graduation ceremony with a formal dinner to conclude the academy classes was hosted by Miami Township at their Civic Center. Each class member was allowed to invite one guest to join them in celebrating their achievement.

    “Best Short Story” award winner Mahi Sheth knows a thing or two about writing! Mahi is a creative writer whose favorite part about writing is the way words come together to form a story. In Mahi’s downtime, she loves to read and dance. Mahi is a Junior at William Mason High School.

  • Seaman Seth Moore becomes member of elite Navy Honor Guard

    Seaman Seth Moore becomes member of elite Navy Honor Guard

    Members of the Navy Ceremonial Guard participate in some of our nation’s most prestigious ceremonies, including Presidential inaugurations and arrival ceremonies for foreign officials.
    A Press Release from the Navy Office of Community Outreach
    Milford, Ohio – Seaman Seth Moore recently completed an intensive 10-week training program to become a member of the elite U.S. Navy Ceremonial Guard.

     

    Seaman Seth Moore, a 2017 Milford High School graduate, joined the Navy six months ago. Today, Moore serves as a U.S. Navy Ceremonial Guardsman.

    “I joined the Navy to better my future and to travel,” said Moore.
    .
    Established in 1931, the U.S. Navy Ceremonial Guard is the official honor guard of the U.S. Navy and is based at Naval District Washington Anacostia Annex in Washington, D.C.

    According to Navy officials, the U.S. Navy Ceremonial Guard’s primary mission is to represent the service in Presidential, Joint Armed Forces, Navy, and public ceremonies in and around the nation’s capital. Members of the Navy Ceremonial Guard participate in some of our nation’s most prestigious ceremonies, including Presidential inaugurations and arrival ceremonies for foreign officials.

    “I have learned discipline and getting out of my comfort zone,” said Moore.

    Sailors of the Ceremonial Guard are hand-selected while they are attending boot camp at Recruit Training Command in Great Lakes, Illinois. Strict military order and discipline, combined with teamwork, allow the Ceremonial Guard to fulfill their responsibilities with pride and determination. They are experts in the art of close order drill, coordination, and timing.

    The Ceremonial Guard is comprised of the drill team, color guard, casket bearers, and firing party.

    “I like that I will gain new experiences here,” said Moore.

    There are many opportunities for sailors to earn recognition in their command, community, and careers.

    “I am most proud of completing ceremonial guard training,” said Moore.

    As a member of the U.S. Navy, Moore, as well as other sailors, know they are a part of a service tradition providing unforgettable experiences through leadership development, world affairs and humanitarian assistance. Their efforts will have a lasting effect around the globe and for generations of sailors who will follow.

    “Serving in the Navy means to me that I get a sense of pride in what I do,” added Moore.

  • Stepping Stones to Host 19th Annual Viva La Bloom Fundraiser

    Stepping Stones to Host 19th Annual Viva La Bloom Fundraiser

    Milford, Ohio – Stepping Stones will host the 2023 Viva La Bloom fundraiser with a new theme and location on Saturday, September 9th at the Little Miami Event Center in Milford. Event chair Nancy Aichholz invites you to a fun, “Vegas” themed night full of games, entertainment, a fabulous silent auction, and dinner by Cincinnati’s best food trucks. Try your luck at one of our casino-style games throughout the night for a chance to win the Grand Prize.

    Nancy Aichholz will host the 19th Annual Bloom for Stepping Stones.

    Bloom benefits Stepping Stones’ mission to build pathways to independence and promote inclusion for people with developmental and physical disabilities. Show your support for the community by buying tickets or becoming a sponsor.

    “We are excited to celebrate Bloom in a new location with a new theme this year,” said Nancy Aichholz, event chair. “The funds raised from Bloom go a long way to support Stepping Stones’ impactful programming and we hope that you will join us.”

    Gail and Fred Fischer (NKY) attend Bloom last year. (Provided Photo)

    Event tickets are $150 per person. The Little Miami Event Center is located at 310 Mill St. in Milford, Ohio. To purchase tickets, visit CincyBloom.org. Volunteers are needed for the event. Visit Bit.ly/BloomVolunteers to sign up. For more information, contact Sara Schaser at 513-965-5103 or email Sara.Schaser@SteppingStonesOhio.org.

    Who: Stepping Stones

    What: Viva La Bloom

    When: Saturday, September 9, 2023 at 7 p.m.

    Where: Little Miami Event Center

    Why: To raise money for year-round programs benefiting children, teens and adults with disabilities.

    Stepping Stones is an impact agency that serves individuals with disabilities in day and overnight programs that increase independence and promote inclusion. Founded in 1963, the agency provides educational, recreational and social programs at locations in Batavia, Indian Hill, Norwood and Western Hills. For more information, visit www.SteppingStonesOhio.org.

  • Dorian LaCourse, 66, of Milford a former Ohio police chief sentenced for illegally trafficking 200 fully automatic machine guns

    Dorian LaCourse, 66, of Milford a former Ohio police chief sentenced for illegally trafficking 200 fully automatic machine guns

    INDIANAPOLIS – Dorian LaCourse, 66, of Milford, Ohio, was sentenced on June 2 to 3 years’ probation, including 6 months home detention for conspiracy and making false statements. LaCourse is the former Chief of Police in the Village of Addyston, Ohio. Two federally licensed firearms dealers in Indiana were his coconspirators, Johnathan Marcum, 34, of Laurel, Indiana, and Christopher Petty, 58, of Lawrenceburg, Indiana, previously pleaded guilty in separate cases to participating in the same conspiracy and will be sentenced later this year.

    According to court documents, LaCourse, Marcum, and Petty, illegally exploited a law enforcement exception to the federal ban on the possession or transfer of fully automatic machine guns. As Chief of Police, LaCourse signed multiple “demonstration letters” falsely stating that the Village of Addyston Police Department was interested in purchasing various types of machine guns, including military-grade weapons, and asking that Marcum and or Petty give the demonstration. Marcum and Petty then sent the letters to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) to obtain the weapons. Addyston is a village in southwestern Ohio of approximately 1,000 residents. LaCourse was the village’s only full-time police officer.

    LaCourse also placed direct orders for German-made machine guns that were purported to be paid for by the Police Department. In fact, the purchases were fully funded by Marcum and Petty and intended to bypass restrictions on the importation of such weapons by anyone other than the police or the military.

    The conspirators purchased or caused the importation of approximately 200 fully automatic machine guns. LaCourse received over $11,500 from the gun dealers for his role in the scheme.

    The Addyston Police Department was never authorized to purchase any of the machine guns, and the Indiana gun dealers never provided any demonstrations of machine guns to the police department. Instead, the gun dealers resold the machine guns at a significant profit. In some instances, a gun dealer resold illegally acquired machine guns for five or six times the purchase price. The conspirators purchased or caused the importation of approximately 200 fully automatic machine guns. LaCourse received over $11,500 from the gun dealers for his role in the scheme.

    “Law enforcement officers are sworn to protect our communities and uphold the law, and the public has a right to expect police powers are used for the public good,” stated Zachary A. Myers, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana. “Instead, the defendant sold his badge to facilitate a criminal machine gun trafficking conspiracy. With heartbreaking regularity, we see the carnage that criminals can inflict on our communities with weapons of war. Today’s sentence demonstrates that officers who violate the public’s trust with utter disregard for the public’s safety will be held accountable.”

    “LaCourse committed an egregious betrayal of the public’s trust by engaging in this machine gun trafficking scheme,” stated Travis S. Riddle, Acting Special Agent in Charge of ATF’s Columbus Field Division. “I hope that this sentence serves as an example to anyone else out there who might be tempted to betray their oath of office and their responsibility to their community.”

    The ATF investigated the case. The sentence was imposed by U.S. District Judge Sarah Evans Barker. As part of the sentence, Judge Barker ordered that the defendant pay a $11,800 fine. Over 100 illegally obtained machine guns, 52,500 rounds of ammunition, and over $6,000 in proceeds of the crime seized from LaCourse’s office desk will be forfeited to the United States.