Executive Summary
- Jacob Dively indicted on charges of involuntary manslaughter and drug trafficking.
- Charges stem from the January 2024 fentanyl-related death of Jessica Dickman.
- Alleged trafficking offenses occurred in the vicinity of a school zone.
- Bond set at $50,000 with electronic monitoring and no-contact orders in place.
An Erie County, Ohio, grand jury has indicted a Howland Township man on multiple felony charges, including involuntary manslaughter, following an investigation into the fatal overdose of a Sandusky woman earlier this year. The indictment marks a significant development in the case surrounding the death of 41-year-old Jessica Dickman.
Jacob Dively, 44, faces a four-count indictment that includes involuntary manslaughter, corrupting another with drugs, and drug trafficking. According to court filings, Dively is accused of providing fentanyl and alprazolam to Dickman, which allegedly caused her death on January 13, 2024. Dickman was a mother of two and worked as a mental health counselor in the community.
The Perkins Township Police Department led the year-long inquiry into the incident before presenting their findings to the grand jury. Investigators allege that the drug offenses took place within the vicinity of a school, a factor that can enhance criminal penalties under Ohio state law. Law enforcement agencies from Trumbull County assisted Perkins Township detectives in apprehending Dively at his residence.
Records from the Erie County Court of Common Pleas indicate that a judge has set Dively’s bond at $50,000. Should he be released from the Trumbull County Jail pending trial, he will be required to wear an electronic monitoring device. The court has also issued a protection order prohibiting Dively from having any contact with the victim’s family.
Judicial Proceedings and Statutory Implications
The indictment of Dively on involuntary manslaughter charges reflects a continued trend in the judicial system to hold alleged narcotics distributors criminally liable for fatal overdoses. By including charges related to trafficking near a school zone, prosecutors have invoked statutory provisions that may significantly increase potential sentencing guidelines. As the case proceeds to the Court of Common Pleas, the legal focus will likely center on establishing the chain of custody regarding the controlled substances and their direct link to the victim’s fatality. It is important to note that all individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
