A local attorney seeking to become a judge in Coshocton County has been indicted on four felony charges.

Candidate William Drown is challenging sitting Judge Robert Batchelor in the upcoming Republican May primary.

According to court documents, Drown is charged with one count of robbery, one count of tampering with evidence and two counts of theft in office. Additional details about his alleged crimes were not immediately available.

Drown previously ran for judge in 2012 and lost. He has served as a solicitor for multiple villages.

In 2005, he was appointed as a Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Trustee for the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Ohio.

It is unclear if Coshocton County Prosecutor Jason Given signed the indictment or if a special prosecutor was assigned the case.

A special judge will likely be assigned as Judge Batchelor, Drown’s opponent, would be disqualified due to a conflict of interest.

To prevent the appearance of political interference in criminal indictments, federal prosecutors typically do not charge individuals within 30 to 60 days before an election. No such standard exists in state court.

Y-City News is working to obtain more information. Drown is scheduled to be arraigned on April 25 at 9 a.m.

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