Convicted VW drug dealer sentenced

DAVE MOSIER/independent editor

A Van Wert woman with a long history of drug-related offenses was sentenced to 4 ½ years in prison during a hearing held Wednesday in Van Wert County Common Pleas Court.

Judge Charles D. Steele sentenced Kelly McKenzie, 48, to three consecutive 18-month prison terms on drug trafficking and counterfeit drug trafficking charges, bringing the total she must serve to 54 months, minus credit for 85 days already served while awaiting sentencing.

McKenzie was convicted on separate counts of aggravated trafficking in drugs, trafficking in a counterfeit controlled substance and trafficking in heroin related to a traffic stop January 30 on South Washington Street. The traffic stop stemmed from a tip police receiving that McKenzie was bringing heroin back to Van Wert from Dayton.

A search was conducted and 5.3 grams of heroin was found on her.

Also Wednesday, Timothy Wollet, 30, of Van Wert was sentenced to 180 days in jail as part of a three-year term of community control handed down on a charge of trafficking in heroin. Judge Steele told Wollet that, while it appeared the defendant was trying to turn his life around with drug treatment and counseling, his lengthy previous criminal record mandated that he be given time in jail or prison.

Wollet was given 82 days credit for time served while awaiting sentencing, must undergo a substance abuse assessment and his driver’s license was suspended for six months.

A Rockford man received one year of community control, but must make restitution of $1,000 to the local Walmart store as a result of a theft incident at the store. Andrew Snyder, 18, received the sentence on a first-degree misdemeanor theft charge filed in the case.

In other court news Wednesday:

Delbert Drew, 21, of Van Wert, was found competent to stand trial following a hearing on Wednesday. Judge Steele relied on an assessment done by Court Diagnostics of Toledo before making his decision on whether Drew was competent. A pretrial conference will be held next week in the case.

Ruth Napier, 19, no address listed, was also in court for a competency hearing and was also found competent to stand trial after a review of an assessment conducted by Court Diagnostics.

She will appear for a pretrial conference on Wednesday, May 2, at 8 a.m.

Dale Wright Jr., 19, of Van Wert, was given three years of community control that included 30 days in jail on a charge of grand theft, a felony of the fifth degree.

Judge Steele ordered that Wright be given 12 days credit for time served in jail awaiting sentencing.

Three people were arraigned on Wednesday.

McCauley Potts Swann, 20, of Defiance, pleaded not guilty to a charge of vandalism, a fifth-degree felony, during his arraignment hearing on Wednesday. He was released on a personal surety bond and a pretrial conference was scheduled for 8 a.m. May 2.

Robin Hamilton, 45, of Delphos, entered a not guilty plea to a charge of passing bad checks, a misdemeanor of the first degree. She was released on a personal surety bond and will appear for a pretrial conference on May 2.

Tyler Dirham, 19, of Van Wert, pleaded not guilty to one count of possession of marijuana, a fifth-degree felony offense. He was released on a personal surety bond and a pretrial conference was set for 8 a.m. May 2.

Cody Stout, 21, changed his plea to guilty to a charge of possession of drugs, a fifth-degree felony offense. He also requested, and was granted, treatment in lieu of conviction.

Seth May, 19, of Van Wert, pleaded guilty to a charge of grand theft, a fourth-degree felony offense, and also was granted treatment in lieu of conviction.

Moses Wilder, 29, of Van Wert, entered a guilty plea to an amended charge of domestic violence, a fourth-degree felony. He was previously charged with a third-degree felony count of domestic violence, but that was downgraded to the fourth-degree felony charge in exchange of Wilder’s guilty plea. A presentence investigation was ordered and sentencing scheduled for 9 a.m. Wednesday, June 13. Judge Steele also granted Wilder the right to be released on electronically monitored house arrest if he can make the necessary arrangements.

Lyle Diltz, 44, of Delphos, was resentenced to three years of community control during a probation violation hearing held Wednesday. He also was given an additional 90 days in jail as part of his new sentence.

Kareem Howard, 35, of Van Wert, was granted early release from prison during a hearing held Wednesday. His 18-month prison sentence was amended to a three-year term of community control and he must also serve up to six months in the Western Ohio Regional Treatment and Habiltation (WORTH) Center in Lima.