Moorman gets prison for raping girl

DAVE MOSIER/independent editor

A former Convoy man was given an additional 10 years in prison for the rape of a 12-year-old girl during a sentencing hearing held Wednesday in Van Wert County Common Pleas Court.

Ralph Moorman, 31, who is currently serving a prison term in Indiana, was sentenced to 10 years on each of two counts of rape, both felonies of the first degree.

The sentences are to run concurrently with each other, but consecutively to the Indiana prison term Moorman is now serving.

Judge Charles D. Steele also classified Moorman as a Tier 3 sex offender, meaning he will have to report to authorities every 90 days for the rest of his life.

Prior to Moorman’s sentencing, the victim’s mother addressed the court in a voice that vibrated with anguish and outrage.

“This guy did something so horrible: he took an innocent 12-year-old victim and for about nine months he raped her,” the woman said. For the rest of her life she has to pay, and so does the family, for what he has done.”

The victim’s mother was clearly angry about the actions of Moorman, who had been a family friend prior to the rape incidents. “We took this gentleman into our lives; this guy was in our wedding; we let him into our lives and he does this to our daughter and our family.”

The woman also talked about how she was struggling to forgive Moorman for raping her daughter.

Also on Wednesday, a man convicted of killing a couple in a drunk-driving accident was given six months in jail for violating his lifetime driver’s license suspension.

Luke Reinhart, 33, of Van Wert, admitted driving a vehicle, but said he did so because he needed to get to work and a ride didn’t come through. Stating that he was a changed man since being sentenced to eight years in prison for running a stop sign and causing the deaths of Kristian and Jade Amweg on September 3, 2005, Reinhart was given an early release from prison in November 2011.

Judge Steele continued the man’s three-year community control program, with the jail sentence an additional stipulation.

Others sentenced on Wednesday include the following:

Ashley Burk, 24, of Van Wert, was given three years of community control on a charge of possession of drugs, a fifth-degree felony. She must also spend 60 days on electronically monitored house arrest and had her driver’s license suspended for six months.

Cody Bigham, 28, of Van Wert, was given three years of community control on two counts of trafficking in drugs, both third-degree felonies. He also had his driver’s license suspended for six months and must pay $1,925 in reimbursement to law enforcement.

Alexandra Whisman, 19, of Van Wert, was given three years of community control on a fifth-degree felony drug possession charge. Her driver’s license was also suspended for six months.

Six people also changed their pleas to guilty on a variety of charges. They include:

Zachary Dominique, 24, of Van Wert, pleaded guilty to a charge of trafficking in drugs, a fifth-degree felony offense. A presentence investigation was ordered and sentencing scheduled for 9 a.m. Wednesday, January 30, 2013.

Zach Brooks, 19, of Van Wert, changed his plea to guilty on a charge of safecracking, a fourth-degree felony, and was granted his request for treatment in lieu of conviction.

Dennis Vickery, 62, of Van Wert, pleaded guilty to two counts of trafficking in marijuana, both felonies of the fifth degree. A presentence investigation was ordered and sentencing set for 9 a.m. January 30.

Matthew Southerland, 30, of Paulding, entered a guilty plea to a charge of aggravated possession of drugs, a fifth-degree felony. He was then granted his request for treatment in lieu of conviction.

Kenneth Myers III, 20, of Van Wert, pleaded guilty to a charge of theft, a fifth-degree felony, and was then granted a request for treatment in lieu of conviction.

Vicki Young, 58, of Van Wert, changed her plea to guilty on one count each of aggravated trafficking in drugs, reduced from a second-degree felony to a felony of the third degree; possession of heroin, a fifth-degree felony; and trafficking in heroin, a felony of the fourth degree. Judge Steele ordered a presentence investigation and ordered Young to appear for sentencing at 9 a.m. January 30.

In addition to Reinhart, five other people appeared on violation hearings. They include the following:

Jason Vanover, 32, of Van Wert, was found to have violated his personal surety bond by testing positive for drugs and driving under a license suspension. He was ordered held without bond until his sentencing at a later date.

Jesse Stemen, 23, of Van Wert, was found to have violated his personal surety bond by testing positive for marijuana, failing to report to probation and failing to complete counseling. The case was continued until today so that additional information could be obtained.

Randall Keller, 53, of Van Wert, violated his probation by not reporting his address to his probation officer, not reporting to probation, not completing counseling or community service. He was released on bond pending sentencing at a later date.

Jeff Willis, 31, of Lima, was found to have violated his diversion program by not paying child support. A presentence investigation was ordered and sentencing scheduled for 9 a.m. January 30.