Crime Stories with Nancy Grace:

Beloved Granddad Dragged to Death by Carjacker, Karma Crushes Crook on Highway | Crime Alert 6AM 02.26.2026

Date: February 26, 2026
Host: Jennifer Gould (Crime Alert Hourly Update reporter for Nancy Grace’s Crime Stories)
Podcast: Crime Stories with Nancy Grace by iHeartPodcasts and CrimeOnline

Episode Overview

This episode delivers a gripping breakdown of several shocking crime headlines. The lead story recounts the harrowing carjacking and murder of a devoted Ohio grandfather, followed by the dramatic fate of the attacker on the highway. The episode also explores the controversial early prison release of a convicted vehicular manslaughter offender in California and ends with a lighter—but still criminal—tale of a failed trash-bin escape in Ohio. The tone is urgent, dramatic, and intense, echoing the justice-focused ethos of Nancy Grace’s reporting.

Key Story 1: Grandfather Dragged to Death During Violent Carjacking

Location: Toledo, Ohio
Victim: Donald Russell, 67
Suspect: Jesse Moats, 38, of West Virginia

Incident Recap

• Setting: Greyhound station on Emerald Avenue, Toledo
• Sequence of Events:
  • Donald Russell drops off granddaughter Anaya Fell at the bus station.
  • Jesse Moats violently attacks Russell during this routine gesture, drags him from his Ford Fusion.
  • Russell gets caught in his seatbelt and is dragged nearly half a mile along the road, suffering horrific injuries.
  • Anaya Fell witnesses the attack and later provides a statement.
• Injuries: “The brutal friction tore the clothes from his back and left him scraped raw with kidney failure and critical internal wounds.” (Jennifer Gould, 01:22)
• Outcome:
  • Russell falls into a coma and later succumbs to injury on February 23.

Family Impact & Eyewitness Account

• Anaya Fell’s Testimony:
  • “My grandpa was dragged out of the— somebody hijacked the car and was pulling him out of the car when I was just so scared.” (Anaya Fell, 01:17)

Culprit’s Fate: “Karma Crushes Crook”

• Chase & Realization of Justice:
  • Moats speeds onto I-75 in the stolen vehicle and crashes.
  • Attempts to flee on foot by leaping over a barrier but runs directly into a semi truck.
  • Moats is pronounced dead at the hospital.
• Narrative Style:
  • “Karma, however, did not miss its exit. Moats barreled onto northbound I75… sprinted directly into the path of a commercial semi truck. He was pronounced dead at the hospital shortly after.” (Jennifer Gould, 01:22)

Investigation

• No Known Motive Released: Police haven’t disclosed Moats’ intent or criminal history at this stage.
• Ongoing Investigation:
  • Police urge any witnesses to contact Crime Stoppers at 419-255-1111 for more information.

Key Story 2: “Scales of Justice Obliterated” — Early Release in Fatal Texting Crash

Location: Riverside County / Corona, California
Victim: Benjamin Montalvo, 21
Offender: Naomi Renee Vellotto, 28

Incident Recap

• Crime:
  • In 2020, Vellotto struck and killed Montalvo while texting and driving, then fled the scene.
  • She exchanged 24 texts around the time of impact and this was her fifth at-fault collision and fourth hit-and-run.

Family & Community Reaction

• Mother’s Outrage:
  • “Why do they give a sentence if it’s not going to be enforced? It’s a huge slap in the face. This was not a tragic accident. It was a lethal pattern of negligence.” (Kelly Montalvo, 06:15)
• Justice System Critique:
  • Despite a nine-year sentence, Vellotto walked free after less than three years thanks to “good merit credits.”

Systemic Issues Highlighted

• Good Behavior Controversy:

  • The release is characterized as a betrayal: “The scales of justice have not just tipped… they’ve been obliterated in a move described as a, quote, stab in the gut.” (Jennifer Gould, 05:54)

• Legislative Response:

  • The family now supports SB907, aiming to class vehicular manslaughter as a violent felony, to prevent similar early releases.

• Memorable Moment:

  • After the crash, Vellotto was seen “toasting in Las Vegas, captioned quote, living our best life, end quote. While the Montalvos were shopping for a casket.” (Jennifer Gould, 06:35)

• Lingering Questions:

  • The episode stresses the apparent lack of rehabilitation and the danger posed by the released offender.

Key Story 3: “Trash-bin Hideout Fails” — Ohio Fleeing Suspect’s Embarrassing Arrest

Location: Huber Heights, Ohio

Incident Recap

• Pursuit:

  • Suspect flees a traffic stop and vanishes, only to hide in a trash/recycling bin.

• Comedic Turn:

  • When a sanitation worker flips the lid, the suspect is found “literally running out of his shoes.”
  • Dubbed “Oscar the Grinch” for his failed garbage-inspired hideout. (Jennifer Gould, 08:35)

• Resolution:

  • “Officers did not let him linger long… picked up the trail and hauled him off to jail. His stinky getaway plan was officially now in the can.” (Jennifer Gould, 08:55)

Notable Quotes & Timestamps

• On the Toledo carjacking’s horror:
  • “Imagine saying goodbye to your grandkid… only to have a savage stranger yank you from your car and drag your body like roadkill for nearly half a mile.” — Jennifer Gould (00:03)
• Family’s witness account:
  • “My grandpa was dragged out of the— somebody hijacked the car and was pulling him out of the car when I was just so scared.” — Anaya Fell (01:17)
• On the carjacker’s fate:
  • “Karma, however, did not miss its exit.” — Jennifer Gould (01:22)
• Grieving mother’s anger:
  • “Why do they give a sentence if it’s not going to be enforced? It's a huge slap in the face.” — Kelly Montalvo (06:15)
• On justice system failure:
  • “The scales of justice have not just tipped… they’ve been obliterated.” — Jennifer Gould (05:54)
• Comedic crime recap:
  • “Oscar the Grinch popped his head out and bolted, literally running out of his shoes.” — Jennifer Gould (08:43)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [00:03] – [02:35]: Toledo Grandfather Carjacked & Dragged; Perp Dies on Highway
• [05:54] – [08:55]: Early Release in Texting Crash Tragedy; Parole Criticized
• [08:55] – [09:16]: Trash-bin Hideout Arrest; Ohio Police Capture Fleeing Driver

Summary

This episode of Crime Stories with Nancy Grace (Crime Alert update hosted by Jennifer Gould) spotlights the raw devastation wrought by sudden violent crime, failures in the justice system, and moments of unintended comedy in crime news. Through vivid, empathetic storytelling and direct quotes from grieving families, the episode paints a stirring picture of lives irrevocably changed by violence and questions about accountability—while ending with a lighter, humorous criminal misfortune. The tone remains intense, passionate, and committed to justice for victims throughout.