4 appear for hearings in County CP Court

Van Wert independent

Four people appeared for criminal hearings Wednesday in Van Wert County Common Pleas Court.

Judge Martin Burchfield presided over three of the hearings.

Kory Stewart, 38, of Van Wert, changed his plea to guilty to a charge of attempted cultivation of marijuana, a felony of the fourth degree (reduced from cultivation of marijuana, a third-degree felony). He then requested, and was granted, treatment in lieu of conviction, and his case was stayed pending successful completion of a substance abuse treatment program.

Kenneth Lewis, 43, of Oakwood, admitted to violating his probation by failing to report to the probation office. He was released on a personal surety bond with strict reporting requirements. Lewis also requested a continued of his December trial date, and signed a waiver of his rights to a speedy trial.

Joshua McGinnis, 34, of Delphos, was sentenced to five years of community control, including up to six months at the Western Ohio Regional Treatment and Habilitation (WORTH) Center in Lima, on a charge of attempted child endangerment, a felony of the fourth degree.

McGinnis must also obtain his General Educational Development (GED) certificate and take parenting classes.

County Probate-Juvenile Judge Kevin Taylor heard one case on Wednesday. Jeremy Whitaker, 35, of Delphos, entered not guilty pleas to two counts of trafficking in heroin, each a felony of the fourth degree. He was released on a surety bond and a pretrial conference was scheduled for 8 a.m. Wednesday, December 16.