Man gets prison sentence on sex counts

DAVE MOSIER/independent editor

One man was given a total of 30 months in prison on sex-related charges during hearings held Tuesday in Van Wert County Common Pleas Court.

Jerry Cornwell, 55, of Chillicothe, was sentenced Tuesday on two counts of importuning, each a felony of the third degree, and one count of disseminating matter harmful to juveniles, a fifth-degree felony. Cornwell was given 30 months on each of the importuning counts, and 11 months on the disseminating charge, all to be served concurrently with each other, as well as with a sentence he is currently serving from a conviction in Ross County.

Two counts of importuning and one count of disseminating matter were dismissed earlier as part of a plea negotiation with Cornwell.

Two others were given community control sentences on Tuesday.

Lola Busch, 65, of Delphos, was sentenced to three years of community control on a third-degree drug trafficking charge and two fourth-degree counts of drug trafficking.

Busch was also ordered to undergo a substance abuse assessment and treatment and can not have more than two months’ supply of pain medication. Her driver’s license was also suspended for six months and she was ordered to pay $1,400 in restitution to the West Central Ohio Crime Task Force.

Beth McCarthy, 44, of Convoy, was given a one-year community control sentence on a charge of attempted forgery, a misdemeanor of the first degree. She must also undergo a substance abuse assessment and complete a drug treatment program at the Nova House. McCarthy must also pay $122.79 in restitution to a victim in the case and to not have any contact with that person.

Two people also entered changes of plea on Tuesday.

William L. Smith, 37, of Delphos, changed his plea to guilty to three counts of trafficking in heroin, each a felony of the fifth degree. The charges were reduced in severity from fourth-degree felony offenses. A presentence investigation was ordered and sentencing scheduled for 9 a.m. Wednesday, January 8, 2014.

Adam Parting, 20, of Delphos, pleaded guilty to a charge of possession of cocaine, a felony of the fifth degree, and was granted a request for treatment in lieu of conviction.

In an arraignment hearing held Tuesday, Joel Crawford, 25, of Van Wert, entered a not guilty plea to a charge of vandalism, a felony of the fifth degree. A $10,000 cash bond was set in the case and a pretrial conference scheduled for 8 a.m. Wednesday, November 27.

Also Tuesday, Jean Sweet, 38, of Van Wert, was found to have violated her bond by failing to report to probation. She was ordered held until she qualifies for electronically monitored house arrest. Sentencing on her original charge is scheduled for 9 a.m. November 27.