Trial continued for former Bistro manager

DAVE MOSIER/independent editor

With hearings canceled earlier in the week because of inclement weather, Van Wert County Common Pleas Court added some hearing dates to its docket to deal with the clogged up caseloads.

In a special session held Thursday, a man who formerly managed the Black Swamp Bistro in Van Wert appeared for a hearing on his request to have his trial continued. Michael Gregory Johnson, 55, of Van Wert, waived his right to a speedy trial in order to have his trial date moved back. Probate-Juvenile Judge Kevin Taylor, acting for Judge Charles D. Steele, who recused himself from the case, then granted Johnson’s request.

Retired Champaign County Common Pleas Judge Roger Wilson has been selected by the Ohio Supreme Court to hear the case.

Johnson, who also faces charges of bigamy, was indicted on seven counts by the Van Wert County Grand Jury, including four counts of forgery and one count each of theft by deception, theft and passing bad checks. All seven counts are felonies of the fifth degree.

Also in Common Pleas Court on Thursday were the following:

William L. Smith, 37, of Delphos, was sentenced to three years of community control, including up to six months at the Western Ohio Regional Treatment and Habilitation (WORTH) Center in Lima, on three counts of trafficking in heroin, each a felony of the fifth degree.

His driver’s license was also suspended for six months.

Two people also entered changes of plea during hearings held Thursday in Common Pleas Court.

Todd Hundley, 41, of Van Wert, changed his plea to guilty to a charge of failure to register as a sex offender, a felony of the fourth degree.

Lorenzo Frye, 25, of Van Wert, entered a guilty plea to a charge of domestic violence, a felony of the fourth degree.

Judge Steele ordered presentence investigations in both cases and scheduled sentencing for both men for 9 a.m. Wednesday, February 12.

According to Court Reporter Michael Kirkendall, additional hearings will be set for Monday and Tuesday of next week in order to finish up pending cases prior to arraignments on Wednesday for indictments handed down today during the grand jury’s regular January session.