Judge Kevin P. Braig of the Logan County Court of Common Pleas today sentenced Brandy N. Durnell to 5 to 7.5 years in prison on her convictions of engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity, a felony of the second degree, and seven counts of breaking and entering, felonies of the fifth degree.
Some of the offenses arose out of thefts that occurred after the tornado that struck Lakeview, Ohio, in March of 2024.
Other offenses were the result of thefts from storage facilities before the tornado. Judge Braig previously sentenced Durnell’s co-defendants, Jeffrey Rivers and Edward Langley, to identical prison terms of 5 to 7.5 years.
In handing down the sentence Judge Braig considered the purposes and principles of felony sentencing. He found that Durnell’s offenses were committed as part of organized crime and that the victims suffered significant economic loss.
The pre-sentence investigation report showed Durnell sold stolen items in yard sales and on Facebook Marketplace.
Logan County Assistant Prosecutor Nathan Yohey represented the State of Ohio and provided recorded calls Durnell had with Langley while Langley was in the Logan County Jail which showed Durnell was an active participant in the organized crime ring.
He recommended that the Court sentence Durnell to the same prison terms Rivers and Langley received.
“You actively participated in a criminal business that victimized innocent people who were already victims of a natural disaster,” Judge Braig said. “Your conduct was calculated and predatory.”
Defense counsel Addie King of Urbana, Ohio represented Durnell.
