Columbus Woman Sentenced To
65 Years After Stealing From Elderly
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Susan Gwynne was sentenced to 65 years in prison for repeatedly stealing from the elderly.
Indicted in June on 101 counts, Gwynne entered a guilty plea in September. She pleaded guilty to 46 counts, one for each victim included in the indictment.
“Gwynne’s sentencing is about much more than a piece of stolen jewelry or missing personal items,” said Delaware County Prosecutor Carol O’Brien. “It’s about holding a person accountable for taking advantage of a vulnerable population. It’s about justice for the victims, and in some cases, for the families of those victims who have passed on.”
Gwynne’s victims were 70 years old and older. They were residents of senior living facilities in both Delaware and Franklin Counties.
More than 3,000 items (mostly jewelry) were recovered from Gwynne’s residence. Other items reported missing included cash, credit cards, watches, social security cards, dog tags etc.
Columbus Men Indicted After
Two Gas Station Robberies
A Delaware County Grand Jury has returned a seven-count indictment against 19-year-old John Michael Lanning and 26-year-old Richard Brennan Long, both of Columbus.
Charges come after Delaware County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a robbery in progress call at the Circle K on Sawmill Parkway in Powell. The call came in on October 26, 2016 at approximately 3:30 a.m.
“It was reported that two white males had entered the store with a gun and demanded cash,” said Delaware County Prosecutor Carol O’Brien. “The men got away with money from the cash register and multiple packs of cigarettes.”
While the Circle K scene was being processed, Columbus Police responded to a call at the BP Duchess Shoppe on West Dublin Granville Road. Witnesses at the secondary scene reported similar circumstances and descriptions. Columbus Police apprehended Lanning and Long a short time later.
Lanning and Long are each charged with two counts of robbery – second-degree felonies, theft – a fifth-degree felony, receiving stolen property – a fourth-degree felony, and theft – a first-degree misdemeanor. In addition, Lanning has two repeat violent offender specifications added on to his robbery charges, and Long is also charged with two counts of failure to comply with order or signal of a police officer – one is a third-degree felony; the other is a fourth-degree felony.
Repeat OVI Offender Indicted
A Delaware County Grand Jury has indicted 40-year-old Brandon Stutler of Marengo on two counts of operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs, both fourth-degree felonies.
Mr. Stutler was pulled over for a traffic stop on November 25, 2016 shortly before 2 a.m.
“All year round, but especially now during the holidays, it is important to be vigilant on the roadways,” said Delaware County Prosecutor Carol O’Brien. “If you see someone driving erratically, don’t hesitate to contact authorities. Your call could save a life.”
At the time of the traffic stop, the defendant was observed to have bloodshot eyes, and the odor of alcohol was present.
The indictment against Stutler states that he does have previous OVI convictions, which were handled at the municipal court level in both Morrow and Delaware Counties.
