The Van Wert County Courthouse

Friday, Mar. 29, 2024

2 get prison in Common Pleas Court

DAVE MOSIER/independent editor

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

Andrew Miller listens as he is sentenced Wednesday in Van Wert County Common Pleas Court. (Dave Mosier/Van Wert independent)
Andrew Miller listens as he is sentenced Wednesday in Van Wert County Common Pleas Court. (Dave Mosier/Van Wert independent)

Andrew Miller, 27, of Fort Jennings, was sentenced to four years in prison on a charge of aggravated burglary, a felony of the second degree. Miller was given credit for 103 days already served while awaiting sentencing.

Miller and another man assaulted a teen during a home invasion burglary at a Delphos residence on July 10. The pair then took a television and some cash and cell phones, as well as other items from the residence.

Prosecutor Charles F. Kennedy III had earlier made a recommendation that Miller be given a maximum sentence of four years in prison on the charge.

Kelcey Frye, 22, of Rockford, was given two years in prison, with credit for 321 days already served, after he was previously found to have violated his community control program. Frye pleaded guilty to a charge of robbery, for taking a backpack containing $450 in cash from another person on December 7, 2010.

Others sentenced on Wednesday include the following:

  • Peter Lockett, 58, of Dunbar, W.Va., was given three years of community control on a charge of possession of cocaine, a felony of the fifth degree. As part of his community control sentence, Lockett was given 30 days in jail, but also credited for 30 days of jail time already served. He also had his driver’s license suspended for six months.
  • Ashley McKee, 30, of Van Wert, was sentenced to five years of community control, including up to six months in the Western Ohio Regional Treatment and Habilitation (WORTH) Center in Lima and a six-month driver’s license suspension. McKee’s WORTH Center stay has been postponed until she returns from Florida, where she faces other charges.
  • Jeffrey Craft, 29, of Van Wert, was re-sentenced to three years of community control, and must also spend 330 days in the Van Wert County Correctional Facility, but was credited with 127 days already served and could receive work release, if he qualifies.

Three people also changed their pleas from not guilty to guilty. They include:

  • Matthew Foehl, 28, of Convoy, who pleaded guilty to one count each of trafficking in drugs, with the additional specification that he used a Dodge Intrepid automobile in the commission of the crime, and possession of drugs. Both are fifth-degree felony offenses.  Another drug trafficking count was dismissed in exchange for his guilty plea. A presentence investigation was ordered and sentencing scheduled for 9 a.m. Wednesday, December 11.
  • Kristin Heath, 25, of Rockford, changed her plea to guilty to one count each of attempted burglary and attempted grand theft, both felonies of the fourth degree. Both charges were reduced from third-degree felony offenses, while a charge of failure to appear, a felony of the fourth degree, was dismissed in exchange for her guilty plea to the other two charges. A presentence investigation was ordered and Heath will appear for sentencing at 9 a.m. December 11.
  • Tyler Levos, 28, of Paulding, entered a guilty plea to a charge of attempted illegal assembly of drugs, a fourth-degree felony offense, which was reduced from a charge of illegal assembly of drugs, a felony of the third degree. He then requested, and was granted, treatment in lieu of conviction and his case was stayed until he successfully completes a treatment program.

Also Wednesday, Michael Carter Jr., 30, of Dayton, admitted to several violations of his probation, including having a new conviction for another crime, failing to report that arrest to his probation officer, failing to maintain employment, failing to pay court costs and failure to complete his community service requirement. He was released on a personal surety bond until a sentencing date yet to be scheduled.

Amber Somerton, 20, of Van Wert, was released on a surety bond until a hearing with a visiting judge can be scheduled on an alleged violation of her treatment in lieu of conviction program.

POSTED: 10/31/13 at 7:17 am. FILED UNDER: News