Pair given prison terms in local CP Court

DAVE MOSIER/independent editor

Two people were given prison sentences during hearings held Wednesday in Van Wert County Common Pleas Court.

Kyle Sterrett, 35, of Van Wert, was sentenced to 15 months in prison on a charge of aggravated trafficking in drugs, a felony of the fourth degree, while Jerad Caldwell, 28, of Van Wert, was given a nine-month prison term on a charge of trafficking in heroin, a fifth-degree felony. Caldwell was also given credit for five days already served.

Two other people were also sentenced on Wednesday.

Haley Ehrsam, 22, of Ohio City, was given five years of community control on a charge of aggravated trafficking in drugs, a felony of the fourth degree. She also had her driver’s license suspended for six months.

Amanda Buzzard, 31, of Van Wert, was given five years of community control on a charge of possession of heroin, a felony of the fifth degree. Buzzard also had her driver’s license suspended for six months and was ordered to complete all recommended programs, including drug court, if eligible.

Three people also entered changes of plea during Wednesday’s Common Pleas Court hearings.

Adam Partin, 22, of Van Wert, changed his plea to guilty to a charge of unlawful sexual conduct with a minor, a first-degree misdemeanor (reduced from two fourth-degree felony counts of unlawful sexual conduct with a minor).

Joshua Carroll, 27, of Van Wert, changed his plea to guilty to a charge of domestic violence, a first-degree misdemeanor (downgraded from a fourth-degree felony).

Austin Zuver, 18, of Grover Hill, changed his plea to guilty to a charge of unlawful sexual conduct with a minor, a felony of the fourth degree.

Judge Martin Burchfield ordered a presentence investigation in all three cases and scheduled sentencing for the three defendants for 9 a.m. Wednesday, September 9.