News Release

DELAWARE COUNTY, OHIO — Following a five day trial, a Delaware County, Ohio, jury found 32-year-old Brandon Toleque guilty of two counts of murder with firearm specifications, one count of kidnapping and one count of rape.

Brandon Toleque

The two counts of murder are both unclassified felonies. The count of kidnapping is a felony of the first degree and the count of rape is also a felony of the first degree.

Toleque shot and killed a guest in his Powell home in November of 2023. Following the murder, Toleque then forced another guest to leave with him as he fled the central Ohio area. Toleque sexually assaulted this individual as he drove across Ohio before he was ultimately stopped by police in Indiana.

A sentencing hearing was set for 3:15 p.m. Monday, May 12 in front of Judge James P. Schuck.

This case was investigated by the Powell Police Department with assistance from the Marshall County Indiana Police, Delaware County, Ohio Sheriff’s Office and the Ohio Attorney General’s Bureau of Criminal Investigation. The case was prosecuted by Chief Criminal Assistant Prosecutor Mark Sleeper and Major Crimes Assistant Prosecutor Daniel Cogley.

Local Arrest

Toleque was arrested by Marshall County Sheriff’s officers as he was fleeing Ohio around 6 a.m. Monday, Nov. 13, 2023, when an officer with the department attempted to make a traffic stop for speeding in the area of US 30 and Michigan Road.

The vehicle fled from the traffic stop and a pursuit began. While pursuing the vehicle a passenger could be seen attempting to exit the vehicle multiple times. The pursuit ended at the Marathon Gas Station in Wanatah. The passenger of the vehicle made claims of being taken against her will and other crimes that were committed. Brandon M. Toleque was then taken to the Marshall County Sheriff’s Department on criminal charges.

During the investigation, it was revealed that Toleque was allegedly involved in a murder in Powell, Ohio. Marshall County Sheriff’s Department made contact with the Powell Police Department.

Officers and detectives went to an address within Powell, Ohio, and discovered a deceased man in a residence. A joint investigation then began with Marshall County Sheriff’s Department, Marshall County Prosecutor’s Office, along with the Powell Police Department.