Woman pleads guilty to aiding robbery

DAVE MOSIER/independent editor

A Lima woman accused of helping commit a robbery at the Pak-A-Sak convenience store on North Washington Street changed her plea to guilty to the charge against her during a hearing Wednesday in Van Wert County Common Pleas Court.

Ashley N. Woten, 24, entered a guilty plea to a charge of complicity to commit robbery, a felony of the third degree, for her part in the robbery on November 1.

According to reports, Woten drove the getaway vehicle used by Colt Morris, also 24, of Lima, after he allegedly robbed the store and fled on foot.

Woten faces a maximum prison term of 36 months and a fine of up to $10,000 when sentenced on December 21, at 9 a.m. Judge Charles D. Steele ordered a presentence investigation in the case and also agreed with a request by Woten’s attorney, W. Edward Hatcher, to allow Woten released on a personal surety bond if authorities in Allen County, where she is currently jailed, do the same.

A Willshire man also changed his plea to a pair of felony offenses during a hearing held Wednesday morning.

Ryan Woodall, 37, entered guilty pleas to one count each of robbery and driving under the influence, both third-degree felonies. The felony DUI count stems from a traffic stop on August 7, while the robbery charge was filed in connection with an incident on August 21 where he allegedly used force, or the threat or force, during the commission of a theft. The DUI charge is a felony because of previous DUI convictions.

Woodall could face a maximum sentence of eight years in prison and a fine of up to $20,000 when sentenced. Judge Steele, who placed the Willshire man on electronically monitored house arrest until he is sentenced on December 21, also ordered a presentence investigation in the case.

A Rockford man received a 180-day jail sentence as part of three years of community control when sentenced Wednesday on a charge of failure to comply with the order of a police officer, a third-degree felony offense.

Gabriel G. Spradlin, 26, was indicted after he fled from a Van Wert police officer on July 10 at a high rate of speed and lost control of his car after it became airborne at the railroad crossing on North Race Street. The car then slewed across Main Street and broke off a power pole at the intersection with Central Avenue before smashing into a house in the 200 block of South Race Street.

Judge Steele left open the possibility that Spradlin could be admitted to an in-house substance abuse treatment program, in lieu of jail time, but ordered the Rockford man to pay restitution of $1,085 for damage to the house, $2,769 to AEP for damage to the power pole and transmission lines and suspended his driver’s license for three years.

A Van Wert man earlier pleaded guilty to a charge of unlawful sexual conduct with a minor, a felony of the fourth degree, was sentenced on Wednesday to three years of community control.

Brandon S. Hershey, 24, was given a 180-day jail sentence as part of his community control and also classified as a Tier 1 sex offender, which requires him to register once a year with the sheriff of the county in which he lives and works for the next 15 years.

Hershey was accused of having sex with a person between the ages of 13 and 15 in April of this year.

Austin S. Bortel, 19, of Paulding, was sentenced to a year of community control on a charge of theft, a first-degree misdemeanor.

As part of his community control sentence, Bortel will serve 30 days on electronically monitored house arrest. He already made restitution to the victim of the theft.

A Delphos man who admitted to violating some terms of his community control program, was remanded into custody until information can be received on drunk driving and resisting arrest charges filed in Allen County. Probation Officer Stacy Widmer said Andrew Sterling violated four terms of his community control by not reporting since July, moving without permission, and using marijuana and alcohol. Judge Steele ordered Sterling held without bond until a status conference is held in two weeks.

Bridgette Channell, 43, of Van Wert, entered a plea of guilty to a charge of theft, a first-degree misdemeanor. Channell, who allegedly took $99.05 on September 2, was originally charged with a felony theft count, but the charge was later downgraded by the Van Wert County Prosecutor’s Office.