COLUMBIANA COUNTY, Ohio - A former East Palestine police officer is facing six felony and 11 misdemeanor charges for allegedly threatening and harassing four people, including a Columbiana County judge.

According to a secret indictment, 44-year-old Matthew Elser is accused of threatening harm to the victims, including Columbiana County Municipal Judge Timothy McNicol, between June 24 and 25 of this year.

The document said Elser knowingly caused the victims to believe that he would cause serious harm to one of them or their property. Another count accuses Elser of making threats through a telecommunications device.

Other counts said there was reason to believe that Elser would cause physical harm to Judge McNicol, his property or the Columbiana County Prosecutor's Office.

In total, Elser was indicted on 17 counts including:

  • Five counts of telecommunications harassment
  • Five counts of aggravated menacing
  • Four counts of retaliation
  • One count of intimidation
  • One count of unlawful restraint
  • One count of intimidation of an attorney, victim or witness in a criminal case

An arraignment hearing is set for July 31 at 1 p.m.