VW woman gets prison for drug charges

DAVE MOSIER/independent editor

Several people were sentenced this week during hearings held in Van Wert County Common Pleas Court.

Judge Charles D. Steele handed down what amounts to a two-year prison term for Stephanie Fannon, 31, of Van Wert, on drug-related charges. Although Fannon made much of the fact that the father of her children took his life while she was incarcerated, and the fact that her children were now having to stay with her mother, Judge Steele noted her extensive criminal history in determining she was not amenable to community control, which was what her attorney, Kelly Rauch had requested.

The judge handed down a two-year sentence on one count of possession of heroin, a third-degree felony offense; and 12 months on five other drug possession charges, all felonies of the fifth degree, and ordered the sentences be served at the same time.

During a sentencing hearing held Wednesday, Ashley Sheets, 27, of Van Wert, received a three-year community control sentence on a charge of possession of drugs, a fifth-degree felony.

Judge Steele also gave Sheets 60 days of electronically monitored house arrest as part of her sentence and ordered her to undergo a substance abuse assessment and complete any treatment recommended.

Her driver’s license was also suspended for six months.

A Monroeville, Ind., man already in an in-house drug rehabilitation program was given a three-year community control sentence by Judge Steele.

Seth Vanosdale, 23, who is presently in the Shepherd House rehabilitation program in Fort Wayne, Ind., must also perform 200 hours of community service and complete a substance abuse assessment as part of his community control program.

His driver’s license was also suspended for six months.

Also Wednesday, two people entered plea changes in Common Pleas Court.

Leonard Lash, 45, of Elyria, pleaded guilty to a felony drunk driving count. Because of previous OVI convictions, Lash faces a maximum sentence of 30 months in prison and a fine of up to $10,500. The Elyria man, who was arrested on January 16 for the offense, if also currently on probation in Lorain County. Sentencing was set for 9 a.m. July 27.

Jose A. Sanchez, 33, of Van Wert, entered a plea of guilty to a charge of domestic violence, a first-degree misdemeanor. The offense was downgraded from a felony offense through plea negotiations. The charge stems from a domestic dispute on May 9. Sanchez will be sentenced at 9 a.m. July 6.

Ronald Dillingham Jr., 43, of Lima, entered guilty pleas to one count of trafficking in crack cocaine, a fifth-degree felony, and trafficking in cocaine, a felony of the fourth degree.

The charges were downgraded from a fourth-degree felony trafficking in cocaine count and a third-degree felony cocaine trafficking charge in exchange for his guilty plea.

Dillingham was charged with selling crack cocaine on October 23, 2010, and cocaine on November 23, 2010.

Sentencing will be on August 17 at 9 a.m.

Bradley D. Smith, 34, of Edgerton, entered a plea of not guilty to three counts of forgery, and one count of receiving stolen property, all fifth-degree felony offenses.

Judge Steele set a $2,500 cash bond in the case and scheduled a pretrial conference for Wednesday, June 29, at 8 a.m.