Ernest Moore, 39, of Columbus turned himself in late Thursday after police announced they were looking for him because they thought he may have information about the missing women, according to WBNS-TV in Columbus.
Moore entered a not guilty plea today and is being held in lieu of $750,000 bond in the Ross County Jail on suspicion of kidnapping and assault after he was indicted by a county grand jury. WBNS said police told them the charges are not related to the missing women and that he is not considered a person of interest in those cases.
Four women have died under suspicious circumstances since May 2014, and two others remain missing. The women were all drug addicts who sometimes prostituted themselves.
FIRST REPORT, June 29:
In a little more than a year, six women have gone missing in Chillicothe, and bodies of four have been found in creeks or stream around the town.
There’s been talks that a serial killer may be responsible. But officials have yet to confirm that as they continue to search for clues in hopes of solving the murders and finding the remaining two women.
Both are presumed dead, officials have said, nothing that all the women were drug addicts and prostitutes.
On Monday afternoon, law enforcement from the around region held a joint press conference to announce their efforts to rid the town of its burgeoning drug problems and things they are doing behind the scenes to solve the murders and find the missing women. Police Chief Keith Washburn said effective immediately they are launching their Reinvestment Initiative, which is aimed at gathering information that will help them solve the cases and bring closure to the women’s families. The initiative is also aimed at riding the area of crime and drugs.
“This is our town, let’s take it back,” Washburn said to a cheering crowd. “We are going to clean this town up and we are going to get justice for these missing ladies.”
Sonny Large, president of the Southern Ohio Crimestoppers, said his organization is offering $5,000 for information leading to the whereabouts of each missing woman. Tipsters can call 1-800-222-TIPS anonymously.