Man faces arson, insurance fraud counts

DAVE MOSIER/independent editor

A man facing felony arson charges was among eight people arraigned Wednesday on grand jury indictments in Van Wert County Common Pleas Court.

Alex Helt, 40, of Convoy, entered not guilty pleas to one count each of aggravated arson, a first-degree felony; aggravated arson, a felony of the second degree; and insurance fraud, a fourth-degree felony.

Judge Kevin Taylor, hearing Wednesday’s cases on assignment, set a personal surety bond in the case and scheduled a pretrial conference for 10 a.m. Wednesday, February 25.

Others arraigned on Wednesday include the following:

Norman Haynie, 36, of Middle Point, pleaded not guilty to two counts of trafficking in heroin, one a fourth-degree felony and the other a felony of the fifth degree; and one count each of possession of heroin, a third-degree felony; possession of marijuana, a felony of the fifth degree, and child endangering, a first-degree misdemeanor.

Judge Taylor released Haynie on a personal surety bond, with the stipulation that he follow all requirements of a pending case in Van Wert County Juvenile Court. Haynie will appear for a pretrial conference at 8 a.m. February 25.

Joseph Mohr Jr., 38, of Van Wert, entered not guilty pleas to one count each of aggravated assault, a fourth-degree felony, and vandalism, a felony of the fifth degree. He was released on a $10,000 bond, with 10 percent to be paid in cash, which was originally set in Van Wert Municipal Court.

Kyle Heiser, 23, of Celina, pleaded not guilty to one count each of breaking and entering, a fifth-degree felony, and theft, a first-degree misdemeanor.

He was released on a surety bond and will appear for a pretrial conference at 8 a.m. Wednesday, February 18.

Matthew Foehl, 29, of Van Wert, entered a not guilty plea to a charge of possession of heroin, a fourth-degree felony offense. He was released on a surety bond and a pretrial conference was scheduled for 8 a.m. February 18.

Bobby Fueling, 42, of Van Wert, pleaded not guilty to a charge of possession of heroin, a felony of the fifth degree. He was released on a surety bond and will appear for a pretrial conference at 8 a.m. February 18.

Arizona Harting, 54, of Convoy, entered a not guilty plea to one count of domestic violence, a felony of the fourth degree. He was released on a surety bond, with the additional stipulation that he have no contact with the alleged victim in the case. A pretrial conference was set for 8 a.m. February 18.

Joshua Lane, 28, of Van Wert, pleaded not guilty to two counts of trafficking in drugs in the vicinity of a school, each a fourth-degree felony. He was released on a surety bond and will appear for a pretrial conference at 8 a.m. February 18.