James Howard-George

A Butler man accused of helping another person burn and dispose of a woman's body after the other man allegedly shot her will remain detained not only on the new charges, but also on probation detainers after admitting to violating probation with the new charges, in Butler County Court on Monday.

James E. Howard-George, 23, was charged with conspiracy to commit homicide and misdemeanor counts of abuse of a corpse and tampering with physical evidence after being accused of helping Ishemer Ramsey, 21, dispose of the remains of Melissa Barto, 26, after Ramsey allegedly shot her to death on June 8.

Howard-George admitted to violating probation in several cases with the new charges before county Judge Timothy McCune.

Sentencing on the violations was continued pending disposition of the new charges, and he continues to be held in the Butler County Prison on the detainers, while bail was denied in the homicide case.

Howard-George's criminal history, which dates back to 2012 in Butler County, includes charges of robbery, felony gun possession, assault and possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, according to court records. Most of those were eventually pleaded down to lesser charges and probationary sentences.