Area couple sentenced on drug counts

DAVE MOSIER/independent editor

A Willshire couple were both given community control sentences on drug-related charges during hearings held Wednesday in Van Wert County Common Pleas Court.

Tracy Vincent, 50, and Todd Vincent, 47, were each given three years of community control on identical charges of attempted corrupting of another with drugs, a felony of the third degree; and one count each of possession of cocaine and permitting drug abuse, both felonies of the fifth degree.

As part of her sentence, Tracy Vincent must serve 90 days in jail, undergo a substance abuse assessment and treatment, as well as a psychological assessment; take prescription medications as ordered; and have no contact with her daughter, the victim in the case, until approved by her probation officer. Her driver’s license was also suspended for six months.

Todd Vincent must spend 180 days in jail, while also undergoing a substance abuse assessment and treatment. He also cannot have any contact with the victim until cleared by probation and his driver’s license was also suspended for six months.

Tracy Vincent’s daughter spoke during the hearing, and tearfully talked of her mother’s irresponsibility.

Two other people were also sentenced in Wednesday, with both of those earning time in the Western Ohio Regional Treatment and Habilitation (WORTH) Center in Lima.

Joshua Watson, 21, of Delphos, was given three years of community control on a charge of theft, a felony of the fourth degree. In addition to spending up to six months at the WORTH Center, Watson must also make restitution totaling $634.45 to three victims in the case.

Drake Hitchcock, 30, of Van Wert, was given three years of community control on a charge of possession of drugs, a fifth-degree felony offense.

In addition to his stay in the WORTH Center, Hitchcock was also given a six-month driver’s license suspension.

Seven people were also arraigned on Wednesday, and will appear for pretrial conferences on Wednesday, September 25. They include the following:

Jean Sweet, 38, of Van Wert, was ordered held on a $20,000 cash bond after she entered not guilty pleas to two counts of burglary, each a felony of the second degree, and one count of theft, a first-degree misdemeanor.

Jesse Blackburn, 21, of Delphos, pleaded not guilty to a charge of trafficking in heroin, a felony of the fourth degree. He was released on a personal surety bond.

Nathaniel Thomas, 35, of Van Wert, entered not guilty pleas to one count each of operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol, a fourth-degree felony, and driving under an OVI license suspension, a misdemeanor of the first degree. He was released on a surety bond.

Harold Eldridge, 37, of Paulding, pleaded not guilty to a charge of possession of drugs, a felony of the fifth degree. He was ordered released on a surety bond.

Shane Carroll, no age listed, entered a not guilty plea to a charge of unlawful sexual conduct with a minor, a felony of the fourth degree. He was released on a personal surety bond, but was also ordered to have no contact with the alleged victim in the case.

Candy Brooks, 49, of Delphos, pleaded not guilty to three counts of trafficking in heroin, all felonies of the fifth degree. She was released on a surety bond.

Jami Renner, 29, of Willshire, entered a plea of not guilty to a charge of improper handling of a firearm in a motor vehicle, a fourth-degree felony. She was also released on a personal surety bond.

Also Wednesday, Patricia Bigham, 30, of Van Wert, was re-sentenced to three years of community control, to include up to six months at the WORTH Center, after she admitted to violating her probation by testing positive for heroin use.