PAULDING, Ohio — A Paulding County man has been charged with two counts of murder after a wife and husband were found dead Thursday in a Latty Township barn, according to a sheriff’s office statement.

Clay Dockery, 23, was arrested by Ashtabula County sheriff’s deputies, who had a vehicle owned by the couple. He also was charged with theft.

The Paulding County deputies were sent to a Latty Township address about noon Thursday to check on Celecitas Pelegrino Williams, 60, because she had not reported to work in two days and could not be reached, the sheriff’s office reported.

Deputies found the bodies of Mrs. Williams and her husband, Bruce B. Williams, 81, in a barn. While deputies were at the scene, the sheriff’s office received a call from Ashtabula County deputies about Mr. Dockery.

After court proceedings in Ashtabula County, Mr. Dockery will be sent to Paulding County. An arraignment in Paulding Municipal Court will be scheduled then.

Latty Township is more than 75 miles southwest of Toledo.

First Published December 9, 2022, 2:49 a.m.