8 in Common Pleas Court for hearings

DAVE MOSIER/independent editor

Two people were sentenced, four entered plea changes, one admitted to violating probation and another waived her right to a speedy trial during hearings held Wednesday in Van Wert County Common Pleas Court.

Shawn Thomas, 28, of Van Wert, was given three years of community control, including 60 days of electronically monitored house arrest, and a six-month driver’s license suspension on a charge of trafficking in drugs, a felony of the fourth degree.

Jean Sweet, 38, of Van Wert, was resentenced to a three-year community control term on two counts of trespass in a habitation, each a felony of the fourth degree, and one count of theft, a first-degree misdemeanor.

As part of her sentence, Sweet must serve 30 days on electronically monitored house arrest, is banned from Rural King stores, and must pay restitution of $330.50 to Rural King.

Four people also changed their pleas during hearings on Wednesday. They include:

Jesse Blackburn, 22, of Delphos, changed his plea from not guilty to guilty to a charge of trafficking in heroin, a felony of the fifth degree. The charge was downgraded from a fourth-degree felony in exchange for Blackburn’s guilty plea. He then requested, and was granted, treatment in lieu of conviction and will be under the supervision of the Adult Probation Department until his treatment program is completed.

Jordan Vickery, 30, of Middle Point, entered guilty pleas to 20 counts of identity fraud, all felonies of the fifth degree. A presentence investigation was ordered and sentencing scheduled for 9 a.m. Wednesday, February 12, 2014.

James H. Yoder, 19, of Dalton, entered a plea of no contest to a charge of failure to stop after an accident. The charge was reduced from a fifth-degree felony to a first-degree misdemeanor as part of a plea negotiation. Yoder entered the no contest plea because it cannot be used against him in a civil case filed in connection with the accident. Judge Charles D. Steele found Yoder guilty of the charge and ordered a presentence investigation in the case. Yoder will appear for sentencing at 9 a.m. Wednesday, January 8.

James Partin, 40, of Ohio City, pleaded guilty to two counts of trafficking in heroin, each a felony of the fifth degree, and one count of possession of heroin, also a fifth-degree felony offense. Partin then requested, and was granted, treatment in lieu of conviction.

Also Wednesday, Rodney Walker, 42, of Van Wert, was resentenced to three years of community control, with an additional 60 days in jail, after he admitted to violating his community control by engaging in criminal conduct and by consuming alcohol.

Savannah Williams, 27, of Mendon, signed a waiver of her right to a speedy trial in open court and requested a continuance of her trial on a charge of complicity to burglary that was scheduled for January 13.