(9-22-25) Two men were booked today on felony charges in Mercer County.

Kenneth Hamlin (28) of Columbus was booked by the Mercer County Sheriff’s Office on a 5th degree felony of theft deception and a 5th degree forgery, utter, possess with purpose to utter.

He is being held in the Mercer County Adult Detention Center with no bond and awaiting a Mercer County Common Pleas Court hearing.

In Ohio, theft by deception is a 5th-degree felony if the value of the property or services obtained is between $1,000 and $7,500, carrying potential penalties of 6-12 months in prison and a fine up to $2,500. To convict, the prosecution must prove the defendant used false statements to induce the victim to give up property, and the victim relied on those false statements

Monty Milner (72) was booked by the Mercer County Sheriff’s Office a 5th degree felony of possession of drugs, obtain, possess or use.

In Ohio, a fifth-degree felony (F5) for possession of drugs is defined under Ohio Revised Code § 2925.11 and applies in specific situations involving controlled substances. The severity of the charge depends heavily on the type and quantity of the drug involved. 

Penalties for an F5 possession charge

A fifth-degree felony in Ohio is the least severe felony level but still carries serious consequences. A conviction can lead to: 

  • Prison sentence: 6 to 12 months in prison.
  • Fines: Up to $2,500.
  • Probation: A court may also impose up to five years of community control (probation) in addition to, or in place of, prison time.
  • Other consequences: A felony conviction can result in a permanent criminal record, a driver’s license suspension, and the loss of certain rights, such as the right to vote, bear arms, and run for office

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