VW man arraigned on sex-related counts

DAVE MOSIER/independent editor

A Van Wert man charged with 13-count indictment that includes eight counts of rape was ordered held on a $500,000 cash bond during his arraignment hearing held Wednesday in Van Wert County Common Pleas Court.

Erik R. Lehmkuhle, 33, was indicted on eight counts of rape, all first-degree felonies; one count of attempted rape, a felony of the second degree; and four counts of gross sexual imposition, all third-degree felonies as a result of an investigation by the Van Wert Police Department.

A pretrial conference was scheduled for Wednesday, November 23, at 8 a.m.

Two people indicted for a robbery that occurred at the Pak-A-Sak convenience store on October 31 were also arraigned on Wednesday.

Colt Morris, 24, of Lima, entered a not guilty plea to a charge of robbery, a first-degree felony, while Ashley Woten, 24, also of Lima, pleaded not guilty to a charge of complicity to commit robbery, also a first-degree felony.

Morris allegedly entered Pak-A-Sak with his face partially covered, indicated that he had a weapon in his pocket and demanded money from the clerk, who complied. The following morning, two convenience stores in Allen County, in Allentown and Spencerville, were also robbed in a similar manner and the same person was believed responsible. A similar robbery was also committed in Decatur, Ind.

Both Morris and Woten were arrested by the Allen County (Ohio) Sheriff’s Department after an investigation by deputies there and police in Decatur.

Both were wearing gray striped jump suits from the Allen County Jail, where they were incarcerated following their arrest by Allen County deputies. A pretrial conference was set for both Morris and Woten for 8 a.m. November 23.

A Lima man who operates I&K Distributors in Delphos found himself in jail after he was seen using a cell phone after Judge Charles D. Steele had banned him from making telephone calls as part of his bond requirements.

Robert Fishbein, 48, had entered a not guilty plea to 23 counts of telecommunications harassment, 21 of those fifth-degree felonies, and the other two first-degree misdemeanors, for allegedly making harassing calls to a former I&K employee.

Judge Steele had first ordered Fishbein not to have any contact with the alleged victim in the case as part of his original bond conditions, and later revoked his original bond when it was found that he had attempted to contact the person a number of times by cell phone.

A $200,000 cash bond was then set, with the added requirement that he make no phone calls, even for business, without another person actually dialing and supervising the call.

Following his arraignment Wednesday, Fishbein was seen making calls on his cell phone in the Common Pleas Court lobby and was later arrested at I&K. He is currently in the Van Wert County Correctional Facility and a bond hearing is expected to take place early next week.

Others arraigned on Wednesday include the following:

Bridget Channell, 42, of Van Wert, pleaded not guilty to one count of theft, a fifth-degree felony. She was released on a personal surety bond and a pretrial conference scheduled for 8 a.m. November 23.

Jennifer Burk, 21, of Van Wert, entered a not guilty plea to a charge of trespassing in a place of habitation, a fourth-degree felony. She was ordered held in jail until she has a place of residence, then will be released on a personal surety bond. A pretrial conference was scheduled for 8 a.m. November 23.

Ryan Woodall, 37, of Willshire, pleaded not guilty to a charge of robbery, a felony of the third degree. Woodall allegedly robbed a restaurant in Willshire, according to a Van Wert County Sheriff’s Department investigation. Woodall is being held on a $150,000 bond, with 10 percent of that amount to be paid in cash. He will appear for a pretrial conference at 8 a.m. November 23.

Dominic Eddins, 32, of Van Wert, entered a not guilty plea to two counts of burglary and was also ordered held on a $150,000 bond, with 10 percent of that amount to be paid in cash.  A pretrial conference was scheduled for 8 a.m. November 23.

Cory L. Maynard, 33, of Grover Hill, pleaded not guilty to a charge of receiving stolen property, a fifth-degree felony offense. Maynard was ordered held on a $50,000 bond, with 10 percent of that amount in cash, and is scheduled to appear for a pretrial conference at 8 a.m. November 23.

Dylien A. Redding, 20, of Convoy, entered a not guilty plea to a charge of theft, a fifth-degree felony. He was released on a personal surety bond and a pretrial conference was scheduled for 8 a.m. November 23.

In a hearing held Wednesday, Garrett Dienstberger, 26, of Delphos, was sentenced to two years in prison on a third-degree felony charge of burglary.

Dienstberger was charged by Delphos police with entering a West Fifth Street home in that city, where he took a crossbow belonging to a relative.

Judge Steele gave the Delphos man credit for 35 days already served while awaiting sentencing.

Donald C. Sharp, 52, of Van Wert, changed his plea to guilty on a charge of burglary, a fifth-degree felony offense. Judge Steele ordered a presentence investigation and scheduled sentencing for 9 a.m. Wednesday, January 4, 2012.

Jeffrey T. Stocklin, 30, of Delphos, pleaded guilty to a charge of burglary, a second-degree felony. A presentence investigation was also ordered in the case, and sentencing set for 9 a.m. January 4, 2012.