A state fire marshal investigation into the illegal sale of fireworks by an unlicensed individual has led to charges against a Morrow County resident. Frank V. Darst of Marengo has been indicted on one misdemeanor and two felony charges of violating Ohio's fireworks laws.

"The regulation of fireworks by the department of Commerce is essential to the health and safety of the public," said Gary C. Suhadolnik, director of Commerce, the parent agency of the State Fire Marshal. "I commend Morrow County Prosecutor Greg Perry for helping us end this potentially dangerous operation, and hope it sends a message to would be bootleggers that we will not tolerate violations of Ohio's fireworks laws."

While reviewing records of fireworks exhibitions in 1998, state fire marshal code enforcement officials noticed several instances where the fireworks supplier was listed as Green River Display Co., Inc. Only licensed fireworks manufacturers/wholesalers can sell fireworks in Ohio. Further investigation revealed that Green River held no such license and that Darst had illegally sold, purchased and used fireworks. Darst was trying to operate the company under a license that had already been surrendered by Columbus Fireworks Display Co. in 1997 as part of a plea agreement with federal officials.

The SFM presented its case against Darst to the Morrow County Grand Jury in late February.

The nine person grand jury returned a three count indictment on March 4. The indictment included the following counts: operating a fireworks plant without a license, a third degree felony; unauthorized possession, sale or discharge of fireworks, a first degree misdemeanor; and the wholesale sale of fireworks without a license, a fourth degree felony.

Darst was arraigned in the Morrow County Court of Common Pleas March 12, where he entered a plea of not guilty to the charges. No court date has been set.

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