The Van Wert County Courthouse

Thursday, Mar. 28, 2024

13 people appear in Common Pleas Court

DAVE MOSIER/independent editor

COVID-19 has not stopped criminal hearings in Van Wert County Common Pleas Court, with hearings held for 13 people this past week.

Three people were sentenced this week in Common Pleas Court.

Christine Hemker, 31, of Fort Jennings, was sentenced to 30 months in prison on a charge of failure to comply with the order of a police officer (fleeing), a felony of the third degree, and 18 months in prison on a charge of receiving stolen property, a felony of the fourth degree. Hemker was given credit for 132 days already served, with both sentences to run concurrent with each other (at the same time). A hearing will also be scheduled on possible restitution related to the case.

Ashley Lewis, 40, of Convoy, was sentenced to 60 months in prison on each of two counts of gross sexual imposition, each a felony of the third degree, with the sentenced to run consecutive to each other, for a total prison sentence of 120 months. Judge Martin D. Burchfield gave Lewis credit for 45 days already served, and also designated him as a Tier 2 sex offender, meaning he must register every 180 days for the next 25 years.

Nathan Dunn, 37, of Van Wert, was sentenced to 36 months in prison on a charge of complicity, a felony of the third degree, and 12 months in prison on one count each of permitting drug abuse and receiving stolen property, each a felony of the fifth degree. Judge Burchfield ordered all three sentences to run concurrently, for a total prison term of 36 months, and gave Dunn credit for 15 days already served. Dunn must also make restitution totaling $637 to the victim in the case.

One person was arraigned this week.

John Satek, 57, of Florence, Kentucky, pleaded not guilty to two counts of improper handling of a firearm in a motor vehicle, one a felony of the fourth degree, and the other a fifth-degree felony. Satek was released on an unsecured personal surety bond and will appear for a pretrial conference at 10 a.m. Friday, May 8. 

Four people entered plea changes in Common Pleas Court.

Ronald Harsh Sr., 49, of Paulding, changed his plea to guilty to an amended charge of theft, a misdemeanor of the first degree. He was then sentenced to 180 days in jail, all of which was suspended, and two years of community control. Harsh was ordered to pay restitution of $28 to the victim in the case, and must also undergo substance abuse and mental health assessments and any treatment recommended.

Chad Fowler, 34, of Van Wert, changed his plea to guilty to an amended charge of importuning, a felony of the fifth degree. A presentence investigation was ordered and sentencing scheduled for 11 a.m. Monday, April 27.

Charles Miller, 64, of Van Wert, changed his plea to guilty to an amended charge of theft from a person in a protected class, a felony of the fourth degree. Judge Burchfield then ordered a presentence investigation and set sentencing for 9 a.m. Wednesday, May 20.

Chad Diltz, 43, of Van Wert, changed his plea to guilty to one count of possession of heroin, a felony of the fifth degree. He then requested, and was granted, intervention in lieu of conviction. His case was ordered stayed until he successfully completed a substance abuse treatment program.

Also this week, Joshua Carroll, 32, of Van Wert, admitted to violating his community control by using methamphetamines. He was then sentenced to 180 days in jail on each of two counts, to run concurrently, with credit for 75 days already served.

Keith Bailey, 34, of Van Wert, admitted to violating his surety bond by failing to report to probation since July 2018. A $10,000 cash bond was then set in the case and a pretrial conference scheduled for 8 a.m. Wednesday, April 8.

Three people also signed waivers of their right to a speedy trial in Common Pleas Court.

Kim Miller, 54, of Van Wert, signed a written time waiver and requested additional time to prepare her case. The request was granted and a pretrial conference was set for 9 a.m. May 20. Miller’s bond was also downgraded to a personal surety bond.

Leiayre Freeman, 27, of Lima, signed a time waiver and requested more time to prepare his case. The motion was granted and a trial date of April 20 was continued. A pretrial will be set soon in the case.

Adam Stripe, 42, of Van Wert, signed a time waiver and requested more time to prepare his case. The motion was granted and a pretrial conference scheduled for 10 a.m. May 20.

POSTED: 03/18/20 at 3:19 pm. FILED UNDER: News