16 arraigned in Common Pleas Court

DAVE MOSIER/independent editor

Two of three people accused of causing nearly a half-million dollars in damage to a crane being used to install wind turbines were among 16 people arraigned on related charges Wednesday in Van Wert County Common Pleas Court.

Dustin Gamble, 20, of Haviland, and Kyle Beech, 21, of Van Wert, both pleaded not guilty to an incident that included one count of breaking and entering, a fifth-degree felony, and two counts of vandalism, both felonies of the fourth degree.

Both were released on unsecured personal surety bonds, with pretrial conferences scheduled for 8 a.m. Wednesday, September 28, in the case. A third person involved in the case has not yet been taken into custody.

The charges stem from a Van Wert County Sheriff’s Department investigation into the damage done to the crane and other expensive lighting equipment at a wind turbine construction site. A man facing a charge of aggravated burglary for allegedly breaking into a Van Wert residence and assaulting a person living in the home was also arraigned on Wednesday. Ryan Homier, 31, of Van Wert, pleaded not guilty to the charge, which is a felony of the first degree.

City police allege that Homier entered a North Chestnut Street residence where a resident was injured. Assistant Prosecutor Kevin Taylor requested a high bond in the case, because of the seriousness of the crime, and Magistrate Joseph Quatman set a $250,000 cash bond. A pretrial conference was also set for 8 a.m. Wednesday, September 21.

Three people accused of cultivating marijuana in two separate instances were also arraigned Wednesday. Robert J. Olszewski, 43, of Van Wert entered not guilty pleas to one count each of having a weapon while under disability, a third-degree felony; endangering children, also a felony of the third degree; and illegal cultivation of marijuana, a fourth-degree felony offense.

Olszewski was ordered held on a $200,000 bond, with 10 percent of that amount to be paid in cash, and will appear for a pretrial conference at 8 a.m. September 21.

Two other defendants, Glenn Duval, 36, and Brandi Myers, 29, both of Willshire, each pleaded not guilty to a charge of illegal cultivation of marijuana, a second-degree felony offense, in connection with a marijuana grow found at a property on Hartsock Road in August.

The sheriff’s department conducted an investigation after receiving a tip that marijuana was being grown at the Hartsock Road property and seized a total of 31 marijuana plants at the site.

Both Duval and Myers were released on personal surety bonds, with pretrial conferences set by Magistrate Quatman for 8 a.m. September 28.

Others arraigned include the following:

• Kristopher T. Markley, 28, of Van Wert, entered a not guilty plea to a charge of illegal cultivation of marijuana, a second-degree felony offense. Markley was arrested by Van Wert police, who also seized marijuana plants and equipment used to cultivate it at a South Avenue residence where Markley was living. He was released on a personal surety bond and will appear for a pretrial conference at 8 a.m. September 28.
• Garrett Dienstberger, 26, of Delphos, pleaded not guilty to a charge of burglary, a felony of the second degree. According to Delphos police, Dienstberger allegedly entered a home on West Fifth Street in that city and took a crossbow from the residence. The magistrate ordered Dienstberger held on a $150,000 bond, 10 percent of that to be paid in cash, and a pretrial conference was scheduled for 8 a.m. September 21.
• John Snavely, 45, of Van Wert, entered a plea of not guilty to a charge of complicity to commit theft from an elderly person, a fifth-degree felony. He was released on a personal surety bond and a pretrial conference was set for 8 a.m. September 28.
• Nicholas K. Wheeler, 26, of Van Wert, pleaded not guilty to a charge of burglary, a second-degree felony offense. Taylor also sought a high bond against Wheeler, noting the defendant’s previous criminal record and the fact the burglary was to an occupied residence. A $150,000 cash bond was set in cash, and a pretrial conference scheduled for 8 a.m. September 21.
• Gregory Mitchener, 39, of Van Wert, entered a not guilty plea to a charge of theft from an elderly person, a fifth-degree felony. He was released on a personal surety bond but will also be on electronically monitored house arrest. A pretrial conference was set for 8 a.m. September 21.
• Michael A. Wooten, 28, of Ohio City, pleaded not guilty to an indictment charging him with violating a Civil Protection Order, a fifth-degree felony. He was released on a personal surety bond and a pretrial conference will take place at 8 a.m. September 28.
• Ronald T. Haiber, 50, of Lima, entered a not guilty plea to violating a protection order, also a fifth-degree felony offense. A $25,000 bond, 10 percent of which is to be paid in cash, was set in the case, with a pretrial conference scheduled for 8 a.m. September 28.
• Michelle Densel, 32, of Van Wert, pleaded not guilty to a charge of theft from an elderly person, a fourth-degree felony. She was released on a personal surety bond and will appear for a pretrial conference at 8 a.m. September 28.
• DeLaquan D. McClesky, 21, of Dayton, entered a not guilty plea to one count each of trafficking in heroin, a fourth-degree felony; and possession of heroin and possession of cocaine, both fifth-degree felonies. He was ordered held on a $50,000 bond, with 10 percent to be paid in cash, and will appear for a pretrial conference at 8 a.m. September 21.
• Erik Lehmkuhle, 30, of Van Wert, pleaded not guilty to a charge of telecommunications harassment, a fifth-degree felony. The prosecutor’s office asked for a cash bond because threats of violence were allegedly made, and Lehmkuhle was ordered held on a $25,000 bond, with 10 percent of that amount in cash. He will appear for a pretrial conference at 8 a.m. September 21.