Man gets prison term on drug count

DAVE MOSIER/independent editor

Four people were sentenced, one was released from prison early, three people entered changes of plea and one person’s bond was revoked during hearings held Wednesday in Van Wert County Common Pleas Court.

Joe Quevedo, 48, of Van Wert, was sentenced to six months in prison, with 57 days credit for time served while awaiting sentencing, on a charge of possession of drugs, a fifth-degree felony. Quevedo, who has an extensive prior criminal record, also had his driver’s license suspended for six months and must pay court costs.

Three people were given community control sentences in Common Pleas Court on Wednesday. They include:

Jeffrey Willis, 31, of Lima, who was given three years of community control on a charge of non-support of dependents. Judge Charles D. Steele also sentenced him to serve 30 days in jail immediately, and ordered Willis to obtain a job within 30 days following his release from jail. He must also become current in his child support in that same 30 days.

Vicki Young, 58, of Van Wert, was given three years of community control on three separate charges: aggravated trafficking in drugs, a third-degree felony; trafficking in heroin, a felony of the fourth degree; and possession of heroin, a fifth-degree felony offense. The community control terms are to run concurrently and she must also spend 30 days on electronically monitored house arrest. Her driver’s license was suspended for six months and she must undergo a substance abuse assessment and any recommended treatment.

Casey McMillen, 28, of Van Wert, was given three years of community control, including 30 days on electronically monitored house arrest. His driver’s license was also suspended for six months and he must undergo a substance abuse assessment and any recommended treatment.

Also Wednesday, Jessica Thompson, 27, of Van Wert, was granted an early release from prison and also placed on three years of community control, with the added condition of a six-month driver’s license suspension.

Brittnie Garwood, 24, of Van Wert, had her personal surety bond revoked by the judge for being arrested for operating a vehicle while impaired (OVI). Judge Steele ordered her held on a $100,000 cash bond until her sentencing on March 6 on a drug trafficking charge.

Three people also changed their pleas from not guilty to guilty.

Bronson Pate, 31, of Van Wert, entered a plea of guilty to an amended charge of trafficking in heroin, which was downgraded from a fourth-degree felony to a felony of the fifth degree. A presentence investigation was ordered and sentencing scheduled for 9 a.m. Wednesday, March 13.

Kimberly Coplin Mileto, 55, of Van Wert, changed her plea to guilty to a reduced charge of attempted forgery, a misdemeanor of the first degree. She was originally charged with forgery, a fifth-degree felony. A presentence investigation was ordered and sentencing set for 9 a.m. Wednesday, February 13.

Joel Crawford, 24, of Van Wert, entered guilty pleas in two separate cases. He pleaded guilty to possession of heroin, a felony of the fifth degree, and theft, a misdemeanor of the first degree, downgraded from a fifth-degree felony.

A presentence investigation was ordered in the case and sentencing scheduled for Wednesday, March 20, at 9 a.m.