Forgery ring member sentenced to prison

DAVE MOSIER/independent editor

A Columbus woman who pleaded guilty to involvement in a check forging scheme was given a prison sentence on Wednesday in Van Wert County Common Pleas Court.

Tonya L. Moore, 32, was sentenced to four 12-month prison terms on three counts of forgery and one count of identity fraud. The forgery charges were fifth-degree felony offenses, while the identity fraud count was a fourth-degree felony offense.

According to court documents, Moore and other Columbus residents came to Van Wert in November 2010 and printed checks that purported to be from a local business. The checks were then cashed, or attempts were made to cash them, at other local businesses. The forgery ring also committed similar crimes in Auglaize County.

Judge Charles D. Steele ordered the prison sentences to run concurrently with each other and with sentences handed down in Auglaize County for similar offenses. Moore was also ordered to make restitution totaling $1,562.37 in the case and also pay court costs.

A Van Wert man who pleaded guilty to a charge of forgery, a fifth-degree felony, was allowed to enter a treatment program in lieu of conviction. Judge Steele granted the request made by Tyler D. Bochard, 20, but warned him that failure to successfully complete treatment could result in a prison term being assessed against him.

Former County Common Pleas Judge Sumner E. Walters, who was assigned cases against two men accused of stealing a bus by the Ohio Supreme Court, handed down jail sentences on Wednesday. On Jacob Strick, 25, of Ohio City, and Justin Tansy, 26, of Brownsburg, Ind.

Both men were sentenced to 10 days in jail on charges of unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, a first-degree misdemeanor offense.

According to court papers, Strick and Tansy were on an excursion bus operated by Advantage Limo Service in Delphos and stayed on the bus when the other passengers and bus driver went into the Rambler’s Roost to have breakfast at approximately 5 a.m. July 17.

When the driver and passengers finished eating, they found the bus and the two men were gone. The bus was recovered a short time later in Ohio City.

Judge Walters also ordered the two men to undergo substance abuse assessments and placed them on community control for one year.

Two men were arraigned during hearings held Wednesday in Common Pleas Court.

Robert D. Yuill, 40, of Columbus, pleaded not guilty to a multi-count indictment that includes two counts of forgery and two counts of identity fraud, all fifth-degree felony offenses.

No bond was set, since Yuill is currently in prison for convictions on similar crimes. A pretrial conference was scheduled for 8 a.m. Wednesday, August 31.

Kevin L. Clay, 26, of Van Wert, entered a not guilty plea to a charge of possession of drugs, a fifth-degree felony.

Judge Steele released Clay on an unsecured personal surety bond, but also acceded to a request by Assistant Prosecutor Kevin Taylor, who requested Clay be tested frequently for substance abuse, noting that, if not for a few friends, Clay might not be alive today. A pretrial conference was set for 8 a.m. August 31.

Also Wednesday, two men changed their pleas to guilty in Common Pleas Court.

James L. Leiendecker, 22, of Venedocia, entered a plea of guilty to a charge of receiving stolen property, a felony of the fourth degree. Leiendecker allegedly stole a motorcycle belonging to a Van Wert resident in May of this year. A presentence investigation was ordered by Judge Steele, who set a sentencing hearing for 9 a.m. Wednesday, October 5.

William Shinnaberry, 20, of Van Wert, pleaded guilty to a charge of having unlawful sexual conduct with a minor, a fourth-degree felony.

According to Van Wert police, Shinnaberry had sex with a girl older than 13, but young than 16, in April of this year.

A presentence investigation will be conducted and sentencing will take place at 9 a.m. October 5. As part of his sentence, Shinnaberry will be classified as a Tier 2 sex offender and will have to register with the sheriff of the county he lives and works in every 180 days for the next 25 years.