Toledo man gets prison, 11 arraigned

DAVE MOSIER/independent editor

A Toledo man with an extensive criminal history was given a prison sentence during hearings held in Van Wert County Common Pleas Court on Wednesday. Eleven people indicted by the February session of the county grand jury were also arraigned yesterday.

Gilbert Gomez, 41, was sentenced to six months in prison on a charge of possession of drugs, a fifth-degree felony offense.

Prior to handing down the sentence, Judge Charles Steele noted for the record that Gomez had a criminal history dating back to 1983.

The charges stem from an accident that took place May 9, 2010, in which the driver was killed and Gomez severely injured. The Toledo man was still on crutches Wednesday from injuries received in the crash more than a year ago.

Troopers from the Van Wert Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol found an illegal controlled substance on Gomez as he was taken from the vehicle involved in the accident, according to court documents.

Judge Steele granted a motion by Gomez’ attorney, Shane Lee, to delay imposition of the sentence pending the outcome of an appeal filed over a suppression hearing held earlier in the case.

Also Wednesday, 11 people were arraigned on indictments handed down by the county grand jury, most at the February session. Those arraigned include the following:

Steven Darnell, 23, and Joel Crawford, 22, both of Van Wert, pleaded not guilty to a charge of aggravated burglary, a felony of the first degree, related to their entering a house on West First Street and assaulting a resident who lived there.

Both men were ordered held on a $200,000 bond, with 10 percent of that amount to be paid in cash, as well as a $5,000 unsecured personal surety bond.

A pretrial conference was scheduled for both men at 8 a.m. Wednesday, March 2.

Billy Ray Gibson, 41, of Van Wert, entered a not guilty plea to a charge of domestic violence, a third-degree felony offense. Judge Steele ordered Gibson held on a $100,000 bond, with 10 percent to be paid in cash, along with a personal surety bond. The high bond was set because of two previous instances where Gibson failed to appear in court as ordered.

A pretrial conference was set for 8 a.m. March 2.

Nathaniel Thomas, 32, of Van Wert, pleaded not guilty to a charge of domestic violence, a fourth-degree felony offense. He was released on a personal surety bond, with the condition he have no contact with the alleged victim in the case. He is also scheduled to appear for a pretrial conference at 8 a.m. March 2.

Alvin S. Hammons, 46, of Van Wert, entered a not guilty plea to a charge of possession of drugs, a fifth-degree felony. He was released on a personal surety bond and a pretrial conference scheduled for 8 a.m. Wednesday, March 9.

Ashley Burk, 22, of Van Wert, pleaded not guilty to a charge of possession of heroin, a fifth-degree felony offense. She was released on a personal surety bond and will appear in court for a pretrial conference at 8 a.m. March 9.

Eric R. Byer, 26, of Van Wert, entered a not guilty plea to one count of falsification to purchase a firearm, a fifth-degree felony offense. Byer was released on a personal surety bond and a pretrial conference set for 8 a.m. March 9.

Tiffany Alltop, 31, of Bellevue, pleaded not guilty to a two-count indictment charging her with identity fraud and deception to obtain dangerous drugs, both fifth-degree felony offenses. Alltop was indicted in November 2008 on the charges, but wasn’t arrested until recently. She is also wanted by Urbana authorities on a misdemeanor theft charge.

Alltop was released on a personal surety bond, with the condition that the Urbana theft charge be taken care of first. She is scheduled to appear for a pretrial conference at 8 a.m. March 9.

Taren DeCamp, 31, of Van Wert, entered a not guilty plea to a charge of passing bad checks, a fifth-degree felony offense. She was released on a personal surety bond and will appear for a pretrial conference at 9 a.m. March 9.

Spencer Stein, 20, of Van Wert, pleaded not guilty to a charge of possession of heroin, a fifth-degree felony. He was released on a personal surety bond and a pretrial conference scheduled for 8 a.m. March 9.

Alisha L. Elder, 32, of Van Wert, entered a plea of not guilty to a charge of theft from an elderly person, a felony of the fifth degree.

She was released on a personal surety bond and will appear for a pretrial conference at 8 a.m. March 9.

Also Wednesday, Miranda Caldwell, 23, of Van Wert, was sentenced to a year of community control on a charge of criminal trespass, a misdemeanor of the fourth degree.

Caldwell reportedly trespassed in the home of a former boyfriend and damaged property .

As part of her community control sentence, Caldwell as ordered to make restitution totaling $522 by July 1 for the damage caused.

Jordan M. Black, 23, of Van Wert, had his personal surety bond revoked and was ordered held on a $10,000 bond, 10 percent of which must be paid in cash, for violating the terms of his bond by using marijuana.

Black was out on bond after being indicted on a drug charge.

A pretrial conference was scheduled for 8 a.m. March 9.

Jessica R. Rhine, 23, of Van Wert, changed her plea to guilty on a misdemeanor theft count, which had been downgraded from a fifth-degree felony as part of a plea negotiation.

According to Van Wert police, Rhine took a purse belonging to a Walmart employee in October 2010 that contained a small amount of cash, ID information and personal items.

Rhine made restitution to the victim in the amount of $320 as part of the plea agreement. After her plea was accepted by Judge Steele, he then sentenced her to a year of community control.