12 arraigned on grand jury indictments

DAVE MOSIER/independent editor

A total of 12 people were arraigned on grand jury indictments this week in Van Wert County Common Pleas Court.

Nathan Dunn, 37, of Van Wert, pleaded not guilty to two counts each of receiving stolen property and forgery, each a felony of the fifth degree. Dunn also admitted to violating his bond on two pending cases because he failed to report to probation. A new $10,000 cash bond was set and he will appear for a pretrial conference on all three cases at 8 a.m. Wednesday, February 5.

Others arraigned include the following:

Brandon Adkins, 24, of New Bavaria, entered a not guilty plea to one count of failure to provide notice of a change of address as a registered sex offender, a felony of the fourth degree. He was released on a surety bond and will appear for a pretrial conference at 8 a.m. February 5.

Judy Boyd, 43, of Van Wert, pleaded not guilty to one count each of aggravated trafficking in drugs, a felony of the fourth degree, and aggravated possession of drugs, a fifth-degree felony. She was released on a surety bond and will appear for a pretrial conference at 8 a.m. February 5.

Chad Diltz, 43, of Van Wert, entered a not guilty plea to one count 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. Wednesday, January 29.

Randall Dull, 58, of Wren, pleaded not guilty to one count of possession of cocaine, a felony of the fifth degree. He was released on a surety bond and will appear for a pretrial conference at 8 a.m. January 29.

Chad Fowler, 34, of Van Wert, entered a not guilty plea to one count of importuning, a felony of the fourth degree. A $25,000 cash bond was set in the case, with the further restriction that he have no contact with the alleged victim in the case. He will appear for a pretrial conference at 8 a.m. February 5.

Samantha Lacy, 27, of Van Wert, pleaded not guilty to one count of aggravated possession of drugs, a felony of the fifth degree. She was released on a surety bond and will appear for a pretrial conference at 8 a.m. February 5.

Theresa Parks, 40, of Van Wert, entered a not guilty plea to one count of aggravated possession of drugs, a felony of the fifth degree. She was released on a surety bond and will appear for a pretrial conference at 8 a.m. Wednesday, February 12.

Heather Pirani, 33, of Paulding, pleaded not guilty to one count of complicity to theft, a felony of the fourth degree. She was released on a surety bond and will appear for a pretrial conference at 8 a.m. February 12.

Jordan Vickery, 36, of Middle Point, entered a not guilty plea to one count of failure to provide notice of change of address as a registered sex offender, a felony of the third degree. A $10,000 cash bond was set in the case and he will appear for a pretrial conference at 8 a.m. Wednesday, January 22.

Felicia Dunn, 31, of Battle Creek, Michigan, pleaded not guilty to one count of aggravated possession of drugs, a felony of the fifth degree. She was released on a surety bond and will appear for a pretrial conference at 8 a.m. February 5.

Ronald Harsh Sr., 48, of Paulding, entered a not guilty plea to one count of theft of drugs, a felony of the fourth degree. He was released on a surety bond and a pretrial conference was scheduled for 8 a.m. February 5.

Four people were sentenced this past week. They include:

Thomas Rupert, 65, of Van Wert, was sentenced to 30 months each on two counts of gross sexual imposition, each a felony of the third degree, to be served consecutive to one another. He was not given any credit for time served on the sentence, which totals 60 months. He was also classified as a Tier 2 sex offender and will have to register every 180 days for the next 25 years. The sentences followed his conviction at an earlier jury trial.

Stephen Davies, 39, of Van Wert, was sentenced to 90 days in jail on one count each of possession of cocaine, a felony of the fifth degree, and assault, a first-degree misdemeanor. The sentences are to run concurrently, with credit for six days already served.

Jeremy Dunbar, 23, of Van Wert, was given three years of community control on one count of aggravated possession of drugs, a felony of the fifth degree. He must also spend up to six months in the Western Ohio Regional Treatment and Habilitation (WORTH) Center in Lima, and undergo a substance abuse assessment and any treatment recommended.

Brendan Bergman, 24, of Van Wert, was sentenced to three years of community control, on one count of aggravated possession of drugs, a felony of the third degree. The community control sentence is to include up to six months in the WORTH Center, as well as having to perform 200 hours of community service, and undergo substance abuse and mental health assessments and any treatment recommended. 

Bergman had earlier admitted to violating his surety bond by failing to report to probation. A $10,000 cash bond was set until his sentencing on Wednesday.

Also this week, Alexander Chorvas, 24, of Van Wert, was found not guilty of aggravated trafficking in drugs, a felony of the second degree, during a two-day jury trial held Monday and Tuesday.

Three people changed their pleas during hearings held in Common Pleas Court.

Mitchell Grote, 24, of Van Wert, changed his plea to guilty to an amended count of receiving stolen property, and one count of carrying a concealed weapon, each a first-degree misdemeanor. The weapons charge included a specification for forfeiture of a 9mm handgun and three magazines. Sentencing is scheduled for 9 a.m. Wednesday, February 19.

John Curts, 40, of Willshire, changed his plea to guilty to one count of identity fraud, a felony of the fifth degree. A presentence investigation was ordered by Judge Martin D. Burchfield and sentenced scheduled for 9 a.m. February 19.

David Youngpeter, 38, of Delphos, changed his plea to guilty to one count each of aggravated arson and felonious assault, each a felony of the second degree. A presentenced investigation was ordered and sentencing set for 10:30 a.m. Friday, March 6.

Chelsea Bok, 28, of Van Wert, was granted judicial (early) release from prison and was placed on three years of community control, with the condition that she have no illegal drugs or alcohol, and no prescription drugs without a prescription, must undergo random drug and alcohol testing, and undergo a substance abuse assessment and any treatment recommended. Authorities also have permission to search her residence, person, and vehicle at any time.