Knox County Prosecuting Attorney John C. Thatcher offered this Q&A to the local media Tuesday afternoon.
Q. With what offense is Hoffman currently charged?
A. Kidnapping, a first-degree felony.
Q. What is the possible sentence?
A. A definite prison term of 3 years up to 10 years.
Q. Is Hoffman still being investigated by law enforcement authorities?
A. Yes.
Q. What is the next step in the criminal proceeding?
A. A bond was established today in the amount of $1 million, cash or surety, without application of the ten percent provision. The municipal court scheduled a preliminary hearing for November 23 at 2:30 p.m. The preliminary hearing determination is whether there is probable cause to believe the accusation that Hoffman committed the offense of Kidnapping.
Q. After the preliminary hearing, what is the next step in the criminal proceeding?
A. If the municipal court finds probable cause to support the kidnapping charge jurisdiction in the Hoffman case will be transferred to the Knox County Court of Common Pleas, and a case will be presented to a Knox County Grand Jury. Hoffman will remain in jail, in the meantime.
Q. When will the case be presented to a Grand Jury?
A. In December or early January.
Q. Will charges other than kidnapping be presented to the grand jury?
A. Since the investigation is still in progress, it is possible other charges will be presented. I cannot speculate on what those charges might be without knowing what evidence the ongoing investigation may reveal.
I urge anyone with information about the disappearance of Tina Herrmann, Stephanie Sprang and Kody Maynard to contact the Knox County Sheriffs Office at 740-397-3333 to assist the investigation.
Q. What role has the prosecutors office had in this investigation?
A. The prosecutors office has given legal guidance to the investigators; prepared search warrants to assist in the investigation (the search warrants are sealed by court order because the investigation in ongoing); prepared the pending charge; and the Prosecutors Office will represent the State of Ohio in the court proceedings and in the Grand Jury.
Q. What can you say about Hoffman?
A. Hoffman is 30 years old; single; lives at 49 Columbus Road, Mount Vernon, Ohio; 3730 Apple Valley Drive, Howard, Ohio, is the address on his current drivers license; and he was arrested on Sunday morning, November 14, by the Knox County Sheriffs Office.
http://www2.nbc4i.com/news/2010/nov/16/22/mt-vernon-mom-son-friend-still-missing-ar-292197/