Beginning June 18, 2023, the Marion County Sheriff's Office began investigating threatening phone calls and texts that were being reported by a local resident. During the course of the investigation the same person placing these calls began calling in shootings and hostage type situations to addresses in Marion County and City.
On June 20, 2023, another call was received from this same subject reporting another shooting and persons being killed at a Marion address and that law enforcement would also be shot when they responded. The investigative unit of the Marion County Sheriff’s Office was able to determine that all of the calls were coming from “Spoofed” numbers and were able to pinpoint an IP address being used by the perpetrator. Through a diligent investigation the IP address was traced to a Red Roof Inn hotel in Middleburg Heights, Ohio.
With the cooperation of the Middleburg Heights Police Department a suspect was located at the hotel. The Marion County Sheriff’s Office Investigative Unit responded to Middleburg and a search warrant for the suspects room was granted and a search conducted. Evidence of criminal activity was located at this location.
The suspect was found to be Ronnie L. McCallister who had been staying at this hotel for several months. It was also found that McCallister was wanted by Columbiana County Ohio, and the States of Arkansas and Missouri for various charges including making Terroristic Threats! McCallister was arrested by the Middleburg Heights Police Department and taken to jail on the outstanding warrants.
Sheriff Matt Bayles stated, “This should be a notice to those that make these types of Swatting Calls, that we will find you and you will be arrested.” These types of calls are dangerous to the community and the law enforcement personnel that respond to these reported calls for help!
The case has been submitted to Marion County Prosecutor Ray Grogan for the charges of: Making Terroristic Threats, Swatting, Inducing Panic, Menacing by Stalking and Aggravated Menacing.