The Earlier Attack
The courthouse chaos came after a February 14, 2025, attack in St. Clair Township. Court records say Timothy J. Reaggle, 21, of Wellsville, Ohio, headbutted a woman in the face after she told him to leave, tackled and beat a man outside the residence, held a knife to another man’s neck while threatening him, and then fled from police. In July, Reaggle pleaded guilty to reduced charges that included third-degree felony aggravated burglary, fourth-degree felony aggravated assault, misdemeanor failure to comply, aggravated menacing, and two counts of assault. He remained out on bond until his sentencing hearing.
A Twelve-Month Sentence
On Monday afternoon, Reaggle appeared before Judge Scott Washam in Columbiana County Common Pleas Court. The prosecutor requested 15 months, but the judge imposed a 12-month sentence. According to Salem News, as bailiff Keith Thorn, who also serves as a Wellsville village councilman, cuffed Reaggle in front and began escorting him from the courtroom, Reaggle muttered that the sentence was “f*ing bull**.” The judge heard him, stopped the proceedings, and dressed him down. Reaggle was crying as he left the courtroom. The courtroom portion was over, but the hallway portion was just beginning.
Handcuffs Snap in the Hallway
In the hallway, Reaggle broke his front handcuffs, spun around, and throat-punched Thorn, knocking him to the floor. One deputy was later seen bloodied and holding a paper towel to his face. Reaggle then charged at full speed and slammed into security bailiff Steve Boyd before barreling into the stairwell. Deputy Nick Rusyn chased him down the stairs, while Deputy Coltan Vollnogle and Detective Jesse Smith tried to stop him at the bottom. Reaggle broke free again.
He Nearly Reached the Front Doors
After breaking away from the officers in the stairwell, Reaggle ran for the courthouse’s front doors. He was tased just before reaching the outside and wrestled back into custody. He never made it out of the building. The attempted escape turned a sentencing hearing into a full courthouse response, with multiple officers forced to chase and restrain a defendant who had already attacked two people while trying to get away.
Injuries and New Charges Await
Sheriff Brian McLaughlin confirmed that both deputies suffered broken bones. They were treated at a hospital and released, but neither was back at work the next day. New charges are expected to include felony assault on peace officers, felony escape, and resisting arrest, with the case proceeding through the grand jury. WFMJ reports that Reaggle is being transported to prison to begin serving the original 12-month sentence while the new case moves forward.
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