7 people have hearings in Van Wert court

DAVE MOSIER/independent editor

Seven people appeared in Van Wert County Common Pleas Court on Wednesday for a variety of criminal hearings.

Three people admitted to probation or bond violations, with one person receiving a jail sentence in connection with the offense.

Jared Caldwell, 31, of Van Wert, admitted to violating his probation by testing positive for cocaine and methamphetamines. He was sentenced to 120 days in jail, with credit for 21 days already served.

Greg Glander Jr., 35, of Van Wert, admitted to violating his personal surety bond by failing to appear and sign bond papers, and also by appearing in court drunk last week. He also changed his plea to guilty to an underlying charge of aggravated possession of drugs, a felony of the fifth degree.

Judge Martin D. Burchfield ordered a presentence investigation in the case and scheduled sentencing for 11 a.m. Tuesday, April 24.

A $10,000 cash/commercial surety bond was set in the case until sentencing.

Johnny Ray Bowersock, 53, of Van Wert, admitted to violating his bond by having contact with the alleged victim in the case against him, as well as by consuming alcohol.

His bond was revoked and reset at $25,000 cash or commercial surety, with a continued order to have no contact with the alleged victim.

A trial date will be set for a later date in the case.

Joshua Bunker, 23, of Van Wert, requested that his bond be reduced from a cash/commercial surety bond to a personal surety bond. Judge Burchfield denied the request and scheduled a pretrial conference in the case for 8 a.m. Wednesday, April 11.

Two people also entered changes of plea on Wednesday.

Brenden Bergman, 22, of Van Wert, pleaded not guilty to a prosecutor’s bill of information charging him with aggravated possession of drugs, a felony of the fifth degree. He will appear for a pretrial conference at 8 a.m. Wednesday, April 4.

Spencer Davis, 26, of Van Wert, changed his plea to guilty to a charge of grand theft, a felony of the third degree. Other similar charges were dismissed in exchange for his guilty plea. A presentence investigation was ordered in the case and sentencing scheduled for 9 a.m. April 25.

Anthony Sexton, 53, of Van Wert, waived his constitutional right to a speedy trial and requested more time to prepare his case. A pretrial conference was scheduled for April 4 in the case.