CHILLICOTHE, Ohio — A man from Chillicothe is facing charges after allegedly expressing a desire for the hair of a Chillicothe City School Resource Officer/City Council member to use in a voodoo doll.
The Chillicothe Police Department reports that Julie Preston contacted officers, claiming she was threatened by Dwayne Lytle. Preston reportedly showed officers a screenshot of a Facebook post allegedly made by Lytle, which stated, “I will pay $500 for a piece of hair from Ballentine (Chillicothe High School Principal) or Julie Preston.”
According to the department, Preston perceived this as a direct threat and expressed her intention to pursue charges. Dwayne Lytle is the brother of Jason Lytle, who is currently being held on a $1 million bond for attempted murder.
The department’s report recounts how Lytle was apprehended at his home on charges of menacing. Lytle asserted that the post was not a threat, but rather a part of his religious practice. He told officers that he practices voodoo and that “having someone’s hair helps him cast a spell to prevent them from doing any evil.”
Lytle was transported to the Ross County Jail, where jailers refused to admit him due to a back injury that Lytle reportedly had.
He was issued a summons to appear in court.
EDITOR’S NOTE: All information for this story came from the report provided by police. Any discrepancies should be directed to the reporting agency.