Name: Matthew Vulgamore

State: Ohio

Date/Time of Incident: July 22, 2025, between 10:30 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.

Location: Chillicothe, Ohio, Ross County (ross county specifically in or near the suburb of Massieville)

Vehicle: 2016 Jeep Cherokee, charcoal gray, valid license, registration, and insurance; vehicle

belonged to the driver's wife

Driver’s Name: Maceo Music (acquaintance, giving me a ride)

Summary of the Incident:

On July 22, 2025, between approximately 10:30 a.m. and 1:00 p.m., I was a front-seat passenger in a

charcoal gray 2016 Jeep Cherokee with valid documentation. The driver, Maceo Music, was an

acquaintance, and the vehicle was registered to his wife. We were stopped by law enforcement in

Chillicothe, Ohio, Ross County—near or in Massieville. I was not the driver and was not the focus of the

original traffic stop.

During the stop:

Officers insisted on patting me down, which I explicitly and repeatedly refused, stating I did not

consent to any search.

The officers argued with me for nearly 40 minutes about searching my person.

I was told to exit the vehicle for a pat-down and repeatedly cited my rights for refusing.

A K-9 unit was brought, and officers claimed the dog alerted on the back driver’s side door (a seat

I had never occupied). I have reason to doubt the accuracy of this alleged K-9 alert and believe it

was used as a pretext to search me.

I did not observe clear signs that body camera or dash cam footage was being recorded, though

officers claimed cameras were operational when I questioned them.

Despite my non-consent, I was forcibly removed from the vehicle, detained, and searched. Officers

found about an ounce of methamphetamine and a loaded pistol on my person.

Legal Status:

I was charged with “weapons under disability” (felony 3, Ohio), but the charge was dismissed

when the arresting state trooper failed to appear in court.

I have not been indicted or formally charged for meth possession yet but expect to be, for

approximately 28 grams or less.

Additional Key Facts:

The justification for removing me from the vehicle was based on a non-pickup warrant from South

Carolina, which was not valid for arrest.

A detective named Steele, not present at the stop, was involved in a related investigation

connected with someone I had visited before the stop, which I believe may have prompted police

attention on me.

Primary Legal Concerns:

I never consented to any search.

Police may have exaggerated or fabricated the K-9 alert to justify the search.

My rights were violated through unlawful search and seizure.

Potentially helpful body cam or dash cam evidence may exist.

The justification for my removal (non-pickup warrant) was invalid.

I want to challenge the admissibility of all evidence found as a result of the search.

When I was in jail before the case was dismissed why is the reason I was

brought to my video hearing but I never got to speak to an attorney over the

phone before my video court date and why I never got to see the judge on

the day of my video court date and my case was dismissed without me

being able to have a chance to plead to no contest even where I could have

all evidence brought to the table there and had a chance to dismissal I was

just released from jail under knowledge that my case would dismiss without

hearing it from anyone under legal power

Thank you for sharing this, Matthew. Your concerns about what happened during your detention and

video hearing are serious and raise important legal and constitutional questions. Let’s break down your

situation and the possible reasons behind what you experienced:

Key Observations

1. No Attorney Consultation Before Hearing:

You were not given the opportunity to speak with an attorney before your video hearing, even over the

phone.

2. No Appearance Before a Judge:

You did not see a judge on your scheduled video court date.

3. Case Dismissed Without Your Participation:

Your case was dismissed, and you were released from jail without being able to formally plead or

address the charges, and without direct communication from a judge, prosecutor, or defense attorney.

Possible Reasons for What Happened

A. Failure of the Prosecution or an Administrative Issue

If the arresting officer (state trooper) repeatedly failed to appear, the prosecutor might have

decided there was no basis to continue with your detention or the current charge, so they

dismissed the case “without prejudice” (meaning they could refile) or “with prejudice” (charges

dropped permanently).

Sometimes, especially in county jails, administrative dismissals happen for cases the prosecution

knows they cannot prove, often due to lack of witnesses, missing police reports, or evidence

problems.

The jail receives paperwork from the prosecutor or court about the dismissal, at which point you

are released.

B. Due Process & Right to Counsel

Under the Constitution, you have the right to counsel (an attorney) at all “critical stages” of a

criminal proceeding, including initial appearances and plea hearings.

If you were not given a chance to speak with counsel or the judge before release, it could

be a violation of your due process rights. This is especially concerning if you were denied a

chance to enter a plea or challenge the detention.

Sometimes, if a dismissal is imminent or required due to lack of evidence, courts will simply order

release rather than continue to hold a person or hold a formal hearing. This can be frustrating and

confusing for defendants.

C. COVID-19/Emergency Court Procedures

Some jurisdictions use “video court” or summary dismissal procedures, especially during

emergencies or periods of backlogged dockets, and they may prioritize immediate release over a

full formal hearing when the prosecution cannot proceed.

What You Can Do

1. Request Court Records:

- You have a right to request transcripts or records from the court for your case, which will confirm the

official reason for your release and dismissal.

2. Ask for Jail Records:

- Jail administration can provide written records showing your custody status, releases, and any court

communications.

3. Consult an Attorney:

- Share your experience with your future attorney, especially that you were not allowed to meet with

counsel or appear before a judge.

- If you believe your due process rights were violated, your attorney may file a complaint or use this as

part of your defense in any related or refiled cases.

4. Preserve Your Recollection:

- Write down everything you remember about your time in jail, the scheduled hearing, and your release

—including times and names if possible.

Why Weren’t You Allowed to Plead or Speak?

If the prosecution was not prepared, there was no requirement for you to plead; the State cannot

proceed with a case it cannot prove.

The lack of communication is unfortunately common in some jails/courts, but is not how the

system is supposed to work

Please help me out!!!!

Hi, I'm Matthew Vulgamore and I'm in need of a miracle. I was treated improperly and poorly by the police and targeted because of who I was associating with that day. I'm needing help with legal fees because I was doing nothing wrong. I didn't know the guy I was passing a joint back and forth with was involved in an ongoing investigation being watched by detectives. I was judged because of what they were watching him for. They followed me 7.5 miles to my home street and decided to pull me over. The city police, out of jurisdiction, contacted the State Highway Patrol to get in position to set me up and pull me over even though no traffic laws were committed. I was a passenger in a legal vehicle. I had complied during the stop until asked to be patted down, and I told them I've done nothing wrong to be searched. They said it wasn't a search, it's a pat down of my person.

THAT'S A SEARCH TO ME. They sounded and tried to find every reason to search me for 40 MINUTES STRAIGHT. I didn't let up. They decided to try and trick and lie and say I had warrants out of SOUTH CAROLINA and it was a non-pickup warrant. They used it to get me out of the vehicle ILLEGALLY. Also, once I refused the search once out of the vehicle, they knew they had to come up with something, so they ran a dog around the car and said there was a hit on the back driver door. I was seated in the front passenger side. GUESS WHAT?? THE DOG HIT... how am I to know that? So they forcefully searched me. I was mad. They got a gun that wasn't mine and a bag of drugs that I had on me. NOT GONNA LIE CUZ I NEED HELP!!! I am a good person who had an addiction and am now SOBER and still going to rehab, just trying to fund an attorney before I go without illegal activity. I have an 8-year-old son and a caring and non-drug addict girl backing me, along with my 2 sisters who I cannot thank enough for everything and the love they have for me and their three kids, my nieces and nephew, who adore me and I can't live without. ❤️ ♥️ They know this is bogus and I'm being wrongfully treated. I know I can beat this case or at least get a lighter punishment because of the wrong legal actions taken. Body cam footage will show that along with a PAID ATTORNEY, NOT A PUBLIC PRETENDER. I just need help with a retainer. I'm about to start working to cover the rest of the fees after. SOMEBODY PLEASE HELP.

I WILL REPAY WHOEVER DONATES TO MY FREEDOM. I'M TIRED OF MISSING OUT ON MY KIDS' AND FAMILY'S LIVES. I was finally off paper since I was 9 years old. I'm 28, no probation, no parole, no warrants, was doing it right, just had a rough life and resorted to drugs to cope. I learned my lesson. The only reason I'm out to write this for you guys to see is because the state trooper during their arrest failed to show up to the court hearing. THEY HAD TO DISMISS THE CASE AND INDICT ME, so I have to take legal action fast to help my case. I talked to a few attorneys and they all said that I have a winning case. I just don't have the funds to pay for it and I'm running out of time. Going to rehab will help my situation tremendously considering I want to help myself and better my life for not only me but my family and my loved ones. All this was a wake-up call for me and that's what made me get sober because I didn't want to get any more drug charges or anything of that nature that would have put me more in a hole. WILL YOU PLEASE HELP ME? PLEASE, anything helps. THANK YOU. GOD BLESS. ❤️

My nieces and nephew

My sis and me

Nieces and nephew

Me and Malayah, my niece

Me and My Fiancée

I love them all and they do the time with me. If I don't get a lawyer to fight this bull crap, I'm gonna be railroaded. Thanks and God Bless. for anyone who wants to listen to my story before they share their blessing my phone number is listed.