NEW CUMBERLAND — A Stark County man’s criminal adjudication across the state line is not concluded and could not be for some time.

Van Keith Jones II of Canton appeared Tuesday morning before Hancock County Magistrate Steve Svokas, without any legal counsel, through Zoom from Stark County Jail.

Herman Lantz was representing the Hancock County prosecutor’s office, with Chester Patrolman Kyle Swan, the arresting officer, also present.

After some brief housekeeping issues to update the record, Svokas continued the hearing due to Jones’ lack of counsel. However, it is unknown how long the wait may be, as Jones is set to face trial on other charges in November.

Jones was before Svokas for his felony and two misdemeanor charges, stemming from his allegedly driving a stolen vehicle across state lines on Aug. 31, fleeing a police officer and driving while license suspended.

Swan was the arresting officer when Jones, who was on U.S. Route 30, crossed the Jennings-Randolph Bridge with a Columbiana County deputy and East Liverpool police officer in pursuit into Chester.

Jones missed his initial preliminary hearing after he managed to post bond and get extradited to Stark County on charges ranging from kidnapping and strangulation to violation of a protection order and domestic violence.

Jones told the court that he is being represented on his Ohio charges by attorney Spencer Geraghty.

Attempts to verify Geraghty’s credentials to practice law in West Virginia courts, where Jones currently has four pending cases, were unsuccessful. His website didn’t provide insight, and his phone voice mail was not able to take messages.

When asked Tuesday morning if he wanted to waive time, Jones said that he already did that before being extradited to Stark County. The court was able to verify this by examining Jones’ court file.

He also drew additional charges in West Virginia while incarcerated in the West Virginia Northern Regional Jail — violating a protection order by calling the alleged victim of his Ohio-based charges 28 times while in Marshall County. The November trial is in relation to those charges.

Svokas is going to attempt to reach Geraghty before scheduling the next hearing date.

The Hancock County grand jury next convenes in January, which is potentially when they could hear Jones’ felony case.