Ohio trio pleads not guilty to drugs, laundering charges

The accused Cincinnati trio in a recent drug bust on Interstate 70 appeared before Putnam Circuit Court Judge Matthew Headley Monday afternoon.

Amy M. Steffen, Richard J. Williams and Jonah J. Halvorson each face multiple felony counts after Putnam County sheriff's deputies found approximately a quarter-pound of marijuana, a small amount of methamphetamine and $327,000 in cash during an early-morning traffic stop on Thursday, Feb. 7.

Steffen, 48, Williams, 19, and Halvorson, 20, are all charged with conspiracy to commit money laundering, a Class C felony, and possession of marijuana (more than 30 grams) and possession of methamphetamine, both Class D felonies.

Steffen also faces an additional Class C felony charge of money laundering. Both men denied ownership and knowledge of the money.

Appearing in court by video from the Putnam County Jail, all three defendants entered not-guilty pleas during the Monday initial hearing.

Headley set a pre-trial conference date of 10:30 a.m. Thursday, April 11. Bond was set at $20,000 with 10 percent cash allowed.

Class C felonies carry a sentence of between two and eight years. Class D felonies are punishable by six months to three years in prison.

The felony charges began as a traffic stop around midnight on Thursday, when PCSD Lt. Dwight Simmons observed a 2012 Volkwagen Passat traveling 64 mph in a 70-mph zone, a violation when the vehicle is using the passing lane.

While following the vehicle, Simmons observed it slow to 60 mph and cross well left of center onto the middle shoulder.

When Simmons changed lanes to get directly behind the Volkswagen, it crossed right of the fog line while changing to the right lane.

Making the traffic stop at Exit 41, Simmons "was immediately confronted with a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage emitting from within the passenger compartment, as well as an overwhelming and pungent odor of raw marijuana."

A subsequent search of the vehicle by Simmons, Sgt. Craig Sibbitt and Deputy Mike Downing yielded the drugs and extensive amounts of U.S. currency.

The marijuana was located in a baggie in the vehicle's glove box, as well as in concealed in three cans with false compartments found in the trunk of the car.

A small glass bottle containing methamphetamine was found in a makeup bag.

The money was found in a number of containers in the vehicle's back seat and trunk, all in rubber-banded bundles. Besides finding bundles in a couple of bags and a cardboard box, police found a large black nylon suitcase completely full of bundles of cash.

Federal agents from the Drug Enforcement Agency conducted interviews with all three suspects at the Putnam County Jail, confiscating the money as well as a number of other items found in the vehicle.