2021 Report of Our Cases

On October 6, 2025, District 4 police responded to the report of a shooting. The victim was taken to the hospital where he died. No obvious reason for the shooting or identification of the shooter(s) was available at the victim's location. The media ran the story and published a picture of the victim.Based on the media information, a tipster called the anonymous tip line. Since it was about 2 AM when the call with the name and address of the potential shooter was made, overnight operators (paid for by Crime Stoppers) took the message and made sure the police received the information. The tipster's comment to the operator was, "I knew he was nasty and hated {the victim} but I had no idea he would kill him."The police followed up on the tip and found not one but three people involved in the original murder. They also found the most likely reason for the shooting: $35,000 worth of drugs, $6,000 in cash, and 4 weapons valued at $1,500. Crime Stoppers paid the tipster a reward. We do not know who the tipster was nor does the tipster know about the reason or the people behind the killing.

This success story illustrates very clearly the value of all the moving pieces of this system of getting information leading to removing drugs, guns, and criminals from our Greater Cincinnati area. Without police action, media reporting, tip line coverage, and money to pay tipsters this set of drug dealers would still be on the streets selling death and shooting people that angered them. Therefore, we thank the many Greater Cincinnati media outlets exposing these criminals, multiple law enforcement agencies in this area handling all the investigations and arrests, and our volunteers that raise money to pay the tipsters. We also want the citizens of this area to know how much is done behind the scenes to make their lives safer. Each year the tips we pay approaches $65,000. So here is where Crime Stoppers gets part of the money and requests your help in getting the rest of the money. We have two fund raisers each year. A shred event coming towards the end of April and an Awards Breakfast in October. Businesses can purchase advertising for either event and we will publish the company name and slogan at the event and on our website.

The shred event warrants several THANK YOUS. Furniture Fair allows us the use of their parking lots. Shred-it and Royal Document Destruction provide the shredding services. WCPO-9 covers the event and lets the public know where to bring their shredding. Walgreens provides much of the labor for the event. We cannot over thank these groups. The shred event provided over 55% of the funds needed for the rewards approved. The remainder was funded by corporations and individual donations, most of which were the result of the solicitation work of our volunteers.

	2025 STATISTICS
CODE NUMBERS ISSUED:	1,461	97,962

CASES SOLVED:	183	17,811
Homicide	10	637
Felonious/Aggravated Assault	21	253
Kidnapping/Abduction	4	187
Assault (since 2003)	1	104
Rape	3	260
Domestic Violence	2	436
Aggravated Robbery	6	1,321
Robbery	2	480
Bank Robbery (since 2003)	0	133
Theft	11	1,260
Auto Theft	2	278
Receiving Stolen Property	3	681
Aggravated Burglary (since 2003)	0	127
Burglary	5	942
Breaking & Entering	2	534
Narcotics	26	3,577
Vice	2	467
Forgery/Fraud	3	1,150
Arson	4	111
Traffic (since 2003)	0	408
Parole Violation/Other Felony	50	2,493
Probation Violation	13	3,633
Sexual Based Offense Adult (Since 2/07)	2	96
Sexual Based Offense Juvenile (Since 2/07)	1	11
Other Felony	11	199

GUNS
Involved	33	971
Recovered	14	443

PERSONS ARRESTED:	79	13,0141
REWARDS	$65,150	$2+ MILLIONS

Success Stories

On November 21st, 2025, the tipster provided information that led to the arrest of Ashlee Steele. Ms. Steele was wanted by multiple law enforcement agencies since 2018. Ashlee Steele had open warrants for Felony Theft, Felony Tampering with Records, Felony Taking Identity of Another and Felony Forgery. Ms. Steele was arrested in Woodlawn, Ohio by Hamilton County Fugitive Unit.

Tipster provided information that led to the arrest of a suspect wanted Butler County for Felony Parole Violation. The suspect was originally charged with homicide. James Ray Carrol was arrested in Middletown, Ohio by the US Marshals SOFAST unit.

On July 26, 2025, a violent altercation dubbed “The Cincinnati Brawl” took place at 4th and Elm Street in the Central Business District. Thanks to information provided by a Crime Stoppers tipster, who saw the video played by the media, investigators were able to identify Jermaine Matthews as one of the individuals involve in the brawl. Jermaine Matthews can be seen viciously punching and kicking multiple victims. Matthews was arrested on July 31, 2025, and charged with two counts of felonious assault and one count of misdemeanor assault.

On June 4, 2025, at approximately 4:00 AM, District One officers were dispatched to the 100 block of East McMicken Avenue for a report of a stabbing. Upon arrival, officers located a male victim suffering from a stab wound. The Cincinnati Fire Department transported the victim to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center where he succumbed to his injuries. During the Cincinnati Police Homicide Unit’s investigation, it was discovered the murder was a result of an aggravated burglary. Based off the Tipster’s information, Homicide Detectives were able to identify the suspect which resulted in the apprehension and arrest of Mr. Mordecai Black.

Tipster provided information on a suspect selling Cocaine and Fentanyl from a car dealership at Eastgate Auto Mall. The Clermont County narcotics unit investigated the tip which resulted in a search warrant and arrest of Donzell Shirley, and the recovery of 3 rifles, 6 handguns, Cocaine, Xanax pills and THC products.

Tipster worked with the US Marshal’s Office and provided information that led to the arrest of Joseph Sebastian who was wanted for Burglary, Discharging of a Firearm, Endangerment, and Violation of a Protection Order. Joseph Sebastian is in the Kenton County Jail.

On April 19, 2024, District One officers were dispatched to the 500 block of York Street

for a report of two people shot. Upon arrival officers located two individuals suffering from gunshot wounds. One of the victims was pronounced deceased. The victim has been identified as Angela McNeil, 61 years of age. On January 1, 2025, the Cincinnati Police Department’s Homicide Unit with assistance from the Fugitive Apprehension Squad arrested Mr. Sergio Fain, 29 years of age, for Murder. On January 8, 2025, the Cincinnati Police Department’s Homicide Unit with assistance from the Fugitive Apprehension Squad, United States Marshals Office, the Covington Police Department, the Florence Police Department and the Boone County Sheriff’s Office arrested Mr. Jeromy Jones, 32 years of age, and Mr. Willie Jones, 34 years of age, for Murder.