Probation violations earn prison terms

DAVE MOSIER/independent editor

Two people were given prison sentences for violating their community control programs during hearings held Wednesday in Van Wert County Common Pleas Court.

Kareem Howard, 37, of Van Wert, was found to have violated his community control program by not reporting, failing to notify his supervising officer of a change of address and refusing to undergo a substance abuse assessment and attend programs as recommended.

Judge Charles D. Steele reinstated an 18-month prison term originally handed down in July 2010 on a felony charge of domestic violence. Credit was given for 41 days already served while awaiting final disposition of the probation violation case.

Joel L. Crawford, 23, of Van Wert, was also found to have violated his community control sanctions by voluntarily checking out of the Western Ohio Regional Treatment and Habilitation (WORTH) Center in Lima.

Judge Steele sentenced Crawford to a one-year prison term on one count and six months each on four other counts. The six-month prison terms are to run concurrent to each other, but consecutive to the one-year prison term, resulting in an 18-month prison term. The judge also gave Crawford credit for 277 days already served in jail while awaiting sentencing in the matter.

Three people were given community control sanctions during hearings held Wednesday. They include:

James D. Ramirez, 21, of Van Wert, was given three years of community control on a charge of burglary, a fourth-degree felony. The judge included 90 days of electronically monitored house arrest and restitution of $100 to the victim in the case. According to Van Wert police, Ramirez allegedly forced his way into a city apartment on July 26 and allegedly took a video game from the residence.

Bradley D. Smith, 34, of Edgerton, was given one year of community control on a charge of attempted receiving stolen property, a first-degree misdemeanor offense. As part of his community control sentence, Smith was ordered to spend 60 days on electronically monitored house arrest and make restitution to the victim in the amount of $275.

Skyler D. Leugers, 20, of Celina, was placed on three years of community control on a charge of grand theft, a fourth-degree felony. According to Van Wert police, Leugers allegedly purchased a vehicle by check in April from a local resident, but was later found to have taken the check without permission from his parents. Also, when the vehicle was recovered, it was damaged beyond repair. As part of his community control, Leugers must pay the victim $2,800 in restitution by April 1, 2012 and also spend 60 days on electronically monitored house arrest.

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

Gabriel G. Spradlin, 26, of Rockford, pleaded guilty to a charge of failure to comply with a signal from a law enforcement officer to stop (eluding and fleeing), a third-degree felony.

According to police, Spradlin attempted to flee from police in July after an officer turned on his flashing lights, reaching high speeds in town and finally crashing into a city residence. Spradlin sustained severe injuries in the crash and had to be extracted from the vehicle. A presentence investigation was ordered and sentencing scheduled for 9 a.m. Wednesday, November 9.

Kevin L. Clay, 26, of Van Wert, entered a guilty plea to a charge of possession of drugs, a felony of the fifth degree.

According to county prosecutors, Clay used or possessed heroin on January 8.

A presentence investigation was ordered and sentencing set for 9 a.m. Wednesday, December 14.