11 arraigned in Common Pleas Court

DAVE MOSIER/independent editor

An Ohio City teenager charged with rape and two other sex-related counts and the former manager of the Black Swamp Bistro were among 11 people arraigned Wednesday on indictments handed down Friday by the Van Wert County Grand Jury.

Harley Maroney, 18, entered not guilty pleas to an indictment charging him with rape, a felony of the first degree, and two counts of gross sexual imposition, both third-degree felony offenses. Maroney was ordered released on a personal surety bond, with the further stipulation that he have no contact with the alleged victim in the case, and will appear for a pretrial conference at 8 a.m. Wednesday, November 20.

Michael Gregory Johnson, 55, of Van Wert, pleaded not guilty to a seven-count indictment that includes one count of theft by deception, one count of theft, one count of passing bad checks and four counts of forgery. The charges are all fifth-degree felony offenses.

On recommendation of the Van Wert County Prosecutor’s Office, a $250,000 cash bond was set in the case, largely because Johnson has no ties to the local community. He will appear for a pretrial conference at 8 a.m. Wednesday, November 13.

Also arraigned on Wednesday were the following:

Daniel Burke, 38, or Reynoldsburg, pleaded not guilty to a charge of burglary, a felony of the second degree. He was ordered held on a $250,000 cash bond and a pretrial conference was scheduled for 8 a.m. November 13.

Savannah Williams, 27, of Mendon, entered a not guilty plea to a charge of complicity to burglary, a felony of the second degree. She was ordered held on a $100,000 cash bond and will appear for a pretrial conference at 8 a.m. November 13.

Robert Keipper, 18, of Van Wert, pleaded not guilty to two counts of burglary, each a felony of the second degree, and one count of breaking and entering, a fifth-degree felony. He was released on a personal surety bond and will appear for a pretrial conference at 8 a.m. November 20.

Logan Linton, 21, of Van Wert, entered a not guilty plea to a charge of abusing harmful intoxicants, a felony of the fifth degree. A $25,000 cash bond was set in the case and Linton will appear for a pretrial conference at 8 a.m. November 13.

Nicholas Bendele, 30, of Van Wert, pleaded not guilty to a charge of possession of drugs, a fifth-degree felony offense. He was released on a surety bond and will appear for a pretrial conference at 8 a.m. November 20.

Stacy Young, 36, of Van Wert, entered a not guilty plea to one count each of possession of methamphetamine and possession of drugs, both felonies of the fifth degree. She was released on a personal surety bond and will appear for a pretrial conference at 8 a.m. November 20.

Grant Albright, 37, of Van Wert, pleaded not guilty to one count of possession of methamphetamines, a fifth-degree felony. He was released on a surety bond and a pretrial conference scheduled for 8 a.m. November 20.

Tausha Walsh, 40, of Van Wert, entered a not guilty plea to one count of possession of methamphetamine, a fifth-degree felony. She was released on a surety bond and will appear for a pretrial conference at 8 a.m. November 20.

Robert Stoller, 31, of Van Wert, pleaded not guilty to a charge of endangering children, a felony of the second degree. He was released on a personal surety bond and will appear for a pretrial conference at 8 a.m. November 20.