Venedocia woman given prison terms

DAVE MOSIER/independent editor

A Venedocia woman who was one of five people sentenced on Wednesday was given a prison term during a hearing held in Van Wert County Common Pleas Court.

Eva Leiendecker, 27, was sentenced to 12 months in prison on each of three counts of harassment by an inmate, with credit given for 51 days already served. The sentences are to run concurrently.

Following that sentence, Judge Charles D. Steele resentenced Leiendecker three years of community control on two counts of assault (felonies of the fourth degree), and one count of vandalism related to her medical discharge from the Western Ohio Regional Treatment and Habilitation (WORTH) Center in Lima.

Others sentenced on Wednesday include the following:

Ronald McBride, 43, of Bryan, was given five years of community control, including 60 days of electronically monitored house arrest, during his sentencing on four counts of unlawful possession of dangerous ordnance. McBride, tossed four improvised explosive devices (IEDs) on the lawn of a county residence on September 12, 2012. One device exploded, while the other three were disarmed by the Allen County bomb squad.

Judge Steele also ordered that McBride have no contact with the victims in the case and that he not be within 1,000 yards of them at any time, nor can he enter Van Wert County without permission from the adult probation department.

Lester Sulfridge Jr., 54, of Van Wert, was sentenced to three years community control, including up to six months in the WORTH Center and 60 days jail time, on a charge of operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol, a felony of the fourth degree. His driver’s license was also suspended for five years, and he was given a mandatory fine of $1,350.

Jason Kremer, 30, of Van Wert, was given three years of community control on a charge of trafficking in drugs, a felony of the fifth degree. His sentence includes 90 days of electronically monitored house arrest and a six-month license suspension.

Landon Grayless, 31, of Fort Wayne, Ind., was given three years of community control on a charge of possession of heroin, a fifth-degree felony. As part of his sentence, Grayless must spend 60 days on electronically monitored house arrest and undergo a six-month license suspension.

Also Wednesday, there were six changes of plea accepted by Judge Steele. They include:

Lacey Warren, 22, of Van Wert, changed her plea to guilty on a charge of breaking and entering, a felony of the fifth degree. A second charge of possession of criminal tools was dismissed in exchange for her guilty plea. A presentence investigation was ordered and sentencing set for 9 a.m. Wednesday, October 16.

Matthew Parr, 20, of Van Wert, pleaded guilty to one count each of breaking and entering and possession of criminal tools, each a felony of the fifth degree. A third charge of tampering with evidence was dismissed. A presentence investigation was ordered and he will also appear for sentencing at 9 a.m. October 16.

Jonathan Wells, 32, of Sidney, entered a guilty plea to a prosecutor’s bill of information charging him with obstruction of official business, a misdemeanor of the second degree. A felony count of tampering with evidence was dismissed in exchange for his guilty plea. A presentence investigation was ordered and Wells will appear for sentencing at 9 a.m. Wednesday, September 25.

Dyllen Redding, 22, of Convoy, pleaded guilty 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. October 16.

Robert Seibert, 26, of Van Wert, entered a guilty plea to fourth- and fifth-degree counts of possession of heroin. He then requested, and was granted, treatment in lieu of conviction.

Dustyn Taylor, 22, of Convoy, pleaded guilty to a charge of criminal trespass, a misdemeanor of the fourth degree, which was reduced from a felony count of breaking and entering. A presentence investigation was ordered and sentencing will be held at 9 a.m. September 25.