12 Indicted In Florida-To-Ohio Drug Ring

Twelve people were indicted Monday in connection with a five-month investigation into a pill trafficking ring from Florida to Ohio.

According to the Knox County Prosecutor's Office, a grand jury returned indictments that include more than 400 counts of aggravated trafficking in drugs, aggravated funding of drug activity, and engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity, felonies of the first and second degree.

Investigators said that since 2011, a group of people, referred to as travelers, would drive together each month to Florida, to visit doctors in the Tampa/Lakeland area. 

It is alleged that the travelers would obtain written prescriptions for pain and other medications, which would then be filled in several states, including Ohio, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, and Pennsylvania.

Officials said that some of the pills would then be turned over to the alleged main organizer and funder, Terry Jacobs, of Knox County.

Investigators said Terry's wife, Heather, participated by allegedly making vehicle rental arrangements and hotel reservations for travelers.

A Cleveland-area resident, Christopher Matheson, is also alleged to be one of the funders of the criminal enterprise.

The pills include more than 100,000 Percocet, Methadone, Alprazolam, and other pills, with a street value of about $2 million.

The suspects indicted include:

• Terry N. Jacobs, 42, Mount Vernon, was indicted on one count each of engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity, and aggravated funding of drug trafficking, and 36 counts of aggravated trafficking in drugs.
• Heather L. Jacobs, 36, Mount Vernon, was indicted on one count each of engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity and aggravated drug trafficking, and 36 counts of complicity.
• Christopher J. Matheson, 35, Mount Vernon, was indicted on one count of engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity, and 59 counts of aggravated trafficking in drugs.
• Tammy S. Ingles, 49, Mount Vernon, was indicted on 50 counts of aggravated trafficking in drugs.
• Joey W. Howard, 47, of Howard, was indicted on 49 counts of aggravated trafficking in drugs.
• Teresa A. Manuel, 40, Columbus, was indicted on 33 counts of aggravated trafficking in drugs.
• Darrell D. Stumbo, Jr., 35, Columbus, was indicted on 31 counts of aggravated trafficking in drugs.
• Katrina D. Climer, 33, Gambier, was indicted on 29 counts of aggravated trafficking in drugs.
• David L. Yankovich, 44, Columbus, was indicted on 25 counts of aggravated trafficking in drugs.
• Brent A. Turner, 54, Mount Vernon, was indicted on 24 counts of aggravated trafficking in drugs.
• Rachel R. Greer, 29, Columbus, was indicted on 23 counts of aggravated trafficking in drugs.
• Marsha A. Smith, 48, Columbus, was indicted on four counts of aggravated trafficking in drugs.

The Knox County Sheriff’s Office arrested the suspects Monday with the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office arresting the Columbus defendants.

Arraignment hearings are scheduled for May 2 at 9 a.m.