New Straitsville police chief's trial delayed

LOGAN – Two pretrial motions have delayed the trial date for New Straitsville Police Chief Kevin Groves and his wife, Angela, who are facing felony charges for allegedly tampering with government records.

Logan attorney Ryan Shepler, who represents Angela Groves, filed a motion to sever the two cases and try both Groves and his wife separately.

Shepler declined to comment on the pending case.

Kevin Groves' attorney Tim Gleeson filed a motion in January to dismiss charges in a separate case related to tampering with records and unlawful use of Ohio Law Enforcement Gateway.

Use of the gateway, an online evidence gathering platform used to help solve and prevent crime, while off duty is a felony offense. He faces up to 14 years in that case.

No hearings or trial dates have yet been scheduled as the motions await the judge's ruling.

Groves, a Logan resident and former Hocking County sheriff's deputy, and his wife, Angela, 36, pleaded not guilty in December in Hocking County Common Pleas Court to claims they tampered with classified records to steal food stamp benefits, according to the seven counts included in their indictment.

If convicted, Angela Groves faces up to 12 years in prison for the fraudulent food aid, valued at more than $7,500 but less than $150,000. Her felony charges include two counts of tampering with records, grand theft, and Medicaid eligibility fraud.

Kevin Groves could face seven years in prison for his alleged complicity in the theft, tampering with records and complicity in the commission of Medicaid eligibility fraud.

Kevin Groves is still the New Straitsville police chief. He could not be reached for comment.

The Groves have been released on a $25,000 bond.