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Five Ohio men arraigned on charges in beard shearing
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Five members from a sect that was excommunicated by the Amish community were arraigned this morning on charges of kidnapping and aggravated burglary after authorities said they ganged up on an Amish man and chopped off his beard in Ohio, an assault that's considered sacrilegious for the group.
Charged are Daniel Mullet, 37, Johnny Mullet, 38, and Levi Miller, 53, of Bergholz, Lester S. Mullet, 26, of Hammondsville and Eli Miller, 32, address not known.
The men were arraigned this morning at Holmes County Municipal Court in Millersburg.
The five were released on bail this afternoon after they were arraigned.
Prosecuting attorney Steve Knowling said Samuel Mullet, believed to be the leader of the breakaway sect that the men belonged to, bailed all of the men out this. All were being held on $50,000 bond, cash or surety.
The five are charged in an Oct. 4 attack in Holmes County, when police said a gang of men broke into a 74-year-old man's house as he lay in bed with his wife. They held him to a chair, shearing his beard with scissors and clippers.
Poice are investigating similar incidents in the area. A grand jury is considering charges in an attack on Myron Miller in Mechanicstown, Carroll County, also on Oct. 4. Mr. Miller is bishop for the Mechanicstown Amish church. And charges may be filed against Levi Miller in a Sept. 24 attack on his brother-in-law.
Authorities say the group are members of a religious sect that has been excommunicated by the Amish and is headed by Samuel Mullet, 66, the father of Johnny and Lester Mullet.
First Published October 12, 2011 12:40 pm
