Pair face sex-related charges in CP Court

DAVE MOSIER/independent editor

A Van Wert man charged with rape was among six people arraigned in Van Wert County Common Pleas Court Wednesday on grand jury indictments.

Dale W. Wright Jr., 23, of Van Wert, entered not guilty pleas to two counts of rape, both with a specification noting that the victim was under the age of 10, and one count of gross sexual imposition. The rape charges are both felonies of the first degree, while the gross sexual imposition count is a fourth-degree felony offense.

Wright was released on a personal surety bond, with the stipulation he have no contact with the alleged victim. A pretrial conference was scheduled for 8 a.m. Wednesday, October 21.

Charles M. Purdy II, 27, of St. Marys, pleaded not guilty to two counts of importuning, each a felony of the fifth degree, as well as one count of criminal child enticement, a misdemeanor of the first degree. A $25,000 bond was set in the case, with 10 percent of that amount to be paid in cash. A pretrial conference was set for 8 a.m. Wednesday, October 14.

Kitti Johnson, 28, of Van Wert, entered a not guilty plea to one count each of passing bad checks and theft, each a felony of the fifth degree. She was released on a surety bond and will appear for a pretrial conference at 8 a.m. October 14.

Alec Thomas, 31, of Convoy, 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. October 14.

Kristi L. Trejo, 38, of Van Wert, entered a not guilty plea to a charge of identity fraud, a fifth-degree felony offense. She was released on a surety bond and a pretrial conference scheduled for 8 a.m. October 21.

Craig Marks, 34, of Convoy, pleaded not guilty to a charge of trespass in a habitation, a felony of the fourth degree. Marks was released on a surety bond, with the specification he have no contact with the alleged victim, and a pretrial conference was set for 8 a.m. October 21.

Also Wednesday, three people changed their plea to guilty in Common Pleas Court. They were as follows:

Jeremy Busbey, 36, of Lima, pleaded guilty to a charge of possession of heroin, a felony of the fifth degree. He then requested, and was granted, treatment in lieu of conviction and his sentence was stayed for a year while he completes a substance abuse treatment program.

David T.E. Seibert, 22, of Van Wert, entered a guilty plea to a charge of attempted corrupting another with drugs, a fifth degree felony, which was reduced from one count of corrupting another with drugs, a felony of the fourth degree. He then requested, and was granted, treatment in lieu of conviction.

Brittnie Garwood, 27, of Van Wert, changed her plea to guilty to a charge of trafficking in a counterfeit controlled substance, a fifth-degree felony. A presentence investigation was ordered and sentencing scheduled for 9 a.m. Wednesday, November 18.

The arraignment hearings and changes of plea were all presided over by Judge Martin Burchfield.

County Probate-Juvenile Judge Kevin Taylor sentenced one person and heard a probation violation case on Wednesday.

Judge Taylor sentenced Kareem Howard, 40, of Van Wert, to 11 months in prison on a charge of trafficking in cocaine, a felony of the fifth degree.

Bronson Pate, 33, of Van Wert, admitted to violating his probation by having two positive drug screens, He was resentenced to three years of community control, plus 60 days in jail, with 10 days jail to be served immediately while he is evaluated for the drug court program. Pate was granted work release while in jail.