Delphos home invasion suspect arraigned

DAVE MOSIER/independent editor

A Fort Jennings man accused of a home invasion-style robbery was one of three people arraigned on Van Wert County Grand Jury indictments during hearings held Wednesday in Van Wert County Common Pleas Court.

Andrew Miller, 27, entered not guilty pleas to one count each of aggravated burglary, a felony of the first degree, and robbery, a second-degree felony offense.

Miller was indicted in connection with a home invasion-style robbery of a residence on South Canal Street in Delphos that occurred July 10. Two masked men entered the residence and one assaulted a teen before taking items from the home. The victim was taken to St. Rita’s Medical Center in Lima for treatment.

Miller was ordered held on a $100,000 cash bond and he will appear for a pretrial conference at 8 a.m. Wednesday, August 21.

Jonathan Wells, 32, of Sidney, pleaded not guilty to a charge of tampering with evidence, a felony of the third degree. He was released on a personal surety bond and will appear for a pretrial conference at 8 a.m. Wednesday, August 14.

Trey Eberle, 28, of Van Wert, entered a not guilty plea to a charge of possession of drugs, a felony of the fifth degree. He was released on a personal surety bond and a pretrial conference scheduled for 8 a.m. August 14.

Three people were also sentenced on Wednesday. They include the following:

Patrick Sweeten, 56, of Van Wert was sentenced to 15 months in prison for assault of a police officer, a felony of the fourth degree. Judge Charles D. Steele also gave Sweeten credit for 93 days already served while awaiting sentencing.

Courtney Estes, 25, of Defiance, was given two years of community control on a charge of trespass in a habitation, a felony of the fourth degree.

Angela Estes, 31, also of Defiance, was also given a two-year community control sentence on a charge of aggravated assault, a fourth-degree felony, with an extra stipulation that she spend 60 days on electronically monitored house arrest.

Two people also appeared on probation violations in Common Pleas Court.

Christopher Lindeman, 25, of Delphos, admitted to violating his probation by failing to report to his probation officer and by failing to complete counseling. He was ordered to serve 180 days in jail and pay a $1,000 fine that was previously deferred. He was given credit for 56 days already served.

Beth McCarthy, 44, of Convoy, admitted to violating her probation by failing to report to probation and not completing counseling. She was resentenced to three years of community control, with an additional condition that she serve a 30-day jail sentence.

Two people entered changes of plea on Wednesday. They include:

Stephanie Semer, 26, of Van Wert, changed her plea from not guilty to guilty to a reduced charge of attempted burglary, a felony of the fourth degree. She was originally charged with burglary, a felony of the third degree. Judge Steele ordered a presentence investigation and set sentencing for 9 a.m. Wednesday, September 11.

Drake Hitchcock, 30, of Van Wert, entered a guilty plea to a charge of possession of drugs, a felony of the fifth degree. A presentence investigation was ordered and sentencing scheduled for 9 a.m. September 11.