VW man gets prison on child porn charges

DAVE MOSIER/independent editor

A man who earlier pleaded guilty to multiple child pornography offenses received a net of approximately four years in prison during sentencing Wednesday in Van Wert County Common Pleas Court.

Paul Susralski, 48, of Van Wert, received four years in prison on each of the following: five counts of illegal use of a minor in nudity-oriented material or performance, four counts of pandering sexually oriented material involving a minor, three counts of pandering obscenity involving a minor, all felonies of the second degree. He also received a 12-month prison term on a fifth-degree felony count of possession of criminal tools.

All of the prison terms were to be served concurrently, meaning four years is the most Susralski would have to serve, while Judge Charles D. Steele also gave the city man credit for 204 days already served while awaiting sentencing.

Susralski was also classified as a Tier 2 sex offender, meaning he will have to register in any county in which he resides, works or goes to school every 180 days for 25 years.

The charges stem from a raid on Susralski’s Blaine Street residence in June 2013, after the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation obtained information he was downloading child pornography on a computer at his home.

During the hearing, Susralski apologized for his actions, while his attorney, Christopher Bucio, unsuccessfully sought a lesser sentence.

Eight people were also arraigned in Common Pleas Court on Wednesday. They include:

Arnold Deleon, 44, of Convoy, who pleaded not guilty to one count of operating a vehicle while impaired (OVI), a fourth-degree felony because of five prior drunk driving convictions in the past 20 years. He was released on a personal surety bond.

Donna Cole, 44, of Wren, entered a not guilty plea to obstructing justice, a fifth-degree felony. She was released on a surety bond.

Joshua Sargent, 32, of Van Wert, pleaded not guilty to two counts of domestic violence, both felonies of the fourth degree. He was released on a surety bond, but can have no contact with the alleged victim.

Jeremia Hubbell, 26, of Van Wert, entered a not guilty plea to a charge of possession of methamphetamines, a felony of the fifth degree. He was released on a surety bond.

Tyler Kast, 21, of Van Wert, pleaded not guilty to a fifth-degree charge of vandalism. He was released on a personal surety bond.

Tim Schlatman, 32, of Van Wert, entered not guilty pleas to two counts of possession of drugs, both felonies of the fifth degree. He was released on a surety bond.

Erin Bradford, 21, of Celina, pleaded not guilty to a charge of obstruction of justice, a felony of the fifth degree. She was released on a surety bond.

Todd Wheeler, 43, of Elida, entered a not guilty plea to theft, a fifth-degree felony. He was released on a surety bond.

All will appear for pretrial conferences at 8 a.m. Wednesday, March 5.

Four people were also in Common Pleas Court on Wednesday on probation, treatment in lieu of conviction and bond violations. They include:

Steven Parsons Jr., 34, of Van Wert, admitted to violating his probation by failing to report an arrest and failing to report to his probation officer. He was resentenced to three years of community control.

Brenda Schwartz, 28, of Decatur, Ind., admitted to violating her probation by being convicted of escape in Indiana. She was resentenced to three years of community control.

Adam Partin, 20, of Delphos, admitted to violating his treatment in lieu of conviction program by not completing counseling. A presentence investigation was ordered and sentencing scheduled for 9 a.m. Wednesday, March 26.

Kyle Goodwin, 25, of Van Wert, admitted to violating his bond by testing positive for morphine. A $10,000 cash bond was set in the case and a pretrial conference will be scheduled at a later date.

In addition to Susralski, three other people were also sentenced on Wednesday, they include:

Jordan Vickery, 30, of Middle Point, was given 12 months on each of 20 counts of identity fraud, each a felony of the fifth degree. The terms were to run concurrently, while Vickery also received 94 days credit for time already served.

Todd Hundley, 41, of Van Wert, was given six months in prison on a charge of failure to register as a sex offender, a fourth-degree felony offense. He received credit for two days already served.

Lorenzo Frye, 25, of Van Wert, was given three years of community control, including 90 days in jail, with possible work release, on a felony charge of domestic violence.