Van Wert man given prison sentences

DAVE MOSIER/independent editor

A Van Wert man was sentenced to prison on two felony charges during one of several hearings held Wednesday in Van Wert County Common Pleas Court.

Matthew Parr, 20, was given two concurrent 12-month sentences on one count each of breaking and entering and possession of criminal tools. Both are felonies of the fifth degree.

Judge Charles D. Steele also gave Parr credit for 71 days already served while awaiting sentencing.

Also sentenced Wednesday was Lacey N. Warren, 22, of Van Wert, who was given three years of community control on a charge of breaking and entering, a fifth-degree felony. Warren was sentenced to 90 days in jail as part of her community control sentence, but was also given 66 days credit for time already served.

Three people also entered changes of plea during hearings held Wednesday.

Kenneth Wright, 26, of Van Wert, changed his plea to guilty to five separate charges: two counts of burglary, each a third-degree felony; and one count each of attempted burglary (Felony 4); having weapons under a disability (Felony 3); and breaking and entering (Felony 5). A presentence investigation was ordered in the case and sentencing set for 9 a.m. Wednesday, November 27.

Drew Kenny, 20, of Van Wert, changed his plea to guilty to charges of trafficking in drugs and possession of methamphetamine, each felonies of the fifth degree. Three other trafficking charges were dismissed in exchange for his guilty plea. A presentence investigation was ordered and sentencing scheduled for 9 a.m. Wednesday, November 20.

Harold Eldridge, 38, of Paulding, entered a guilty plea to a charge of possession of drugs, a fifth-degree felony offense. A presentence investigation was ordered and sentencing set for 9 a.m. November 27.

Also Wednesday, Beth McCarthy, 44, of Convoy, admitted to violating her probation by failing a drug test and was ordered held without bond until a pretrial conference scheduled for next Wednesday.