2 sentenced on light day in CP Court

DAVE MOSIER/independent editor

It was a relatively light day for criminal hearings in Van Wert County Common Pleas Court, with two sentencings, a treatment in lieu of conviction violation and a change of plea handled on Wednesday.

Stephanie Semer, 26, of Van Wert, was sentenced to three years of community control on a charge of attempted burglary, a felony of the fourth degree.  She must also undergo a substance abuse assessment and any treatment recommended.

Semer was also given credit for restitution already paid, while also being ordered to pay court costs and make partial reimbursement for court-appointed attorney fees.

Austin Coyne, 20, of Convoy, was given one year of community control on a charge of attempted breaking and entering, a first-degree misdemeanor offense.

Coyne was also given 60 days in jail, with credit for 50 days already served, and must pay restitution of $1,000 to the victim in the case.

Zachary Brooks, 20, of Van Wert, admitted to violating his treatment in lieu of conviction program by testing positive for marijuana use and also failing to report to probation on a weekly basis. The matter was continued to a later date and Brooks was released on a personal surety bond.

Also Wednesday, Justin Diltz, 59, of Delphos, entered a change of plea to drug-related charges.

Diltz changed his plea to guilty to two counts of trafficking in heroin, each a fourth degree felony and both containing a specification that he used a 1999 Oldsmobile in the commission of the crime.

Five similar counts were dismissed in exchange for Diltz’ guilty pleas to those two counts.

Judge Charles D. Steele ordered a presentence investigation and scheduled sentencing for 9 a.m. Wednesday, November 20.