VW man given prison on sex charge

DAVE MOSIER/independent editor

A Van Wert man was given a six-year prison term on a sex charge during hearings held Wednesday in Van Wert County Common Pleas Court.

Matthew Peffley, 39, was given the sentence on a charge of unlawful sexual conduct with a minor, a felony of the second degree. Judge Charles D. Steele also designated Peffley as a Tier II sexual offender, which means he would have to register with the sheriff of a county he works and lives in every 180 days for the next 25 years.

Also sentenced on Wednesday was Rhonda Kline, 52, of Delphos, who was given three years of community control on two counts of aggravated trafficking in drugs, each a third-degree felony, and one count of trafficking in drugs, a felony of the fifth degree. Kline must also spend 60 days on electronically monitored house arrest, had her driver’s license suspended for six months and must undergo a substance abuse assessment.

Michael Supko, 22, of Lemoyne, Pa., was given three years of community control on a fifth-degree felony drug possession charge. He also had his driver’s license suspended for six months and will be transported to Pennsylvania, where he faces a parole violation charge.

Three people also entered plea changes during hearings held Wednesday.

Amber Baker, 23, of Van Wert, changed her plea to guilty on two counts of possession of drugs, each a felony of the fifth degree. She then requested, and was granted, treatment in lieu of conviction, and her sentenced stayed until she successfully completes a substance abuse treatment program.

Ryan Miller, 23, of Van Wert, changed his plea to two counts of theft, and one count each of theft by deception and aggravated possession of drugs, each a felony of the fifth degree. Two counts of receiving stolen property were dismissed in exchange for his guilty plea to the four remaining counts.

He the requested, and was granted, treatment in lieu of conviction by Judge Steele.

Joshua Rager, 28, of Van Wert, pleaded guilty to a charge of aggravated possession of drugs, a felony of the fifth degree. He also requested, and was granted, treatment in lieu of conviction and had his sentenced stayed until he successfully completes a substance abuse treatment program.

One person was also arraigned on Wednesday.

Demetrius Carter, 28, of Fort Wayne, Ind., entered a not guilty plea to a charge of possession of drugs, a felony of the fifth degree. He was released on an unsecured personal surety bond and a pretrial conference was scheduled for 8 a.m. Wednesday, September 4.