Woman who stole from VW firm sentenced

DAVE MOSIER/independent editor

Three people were sent to prison and a woman who stole money from an employer was given probation and a stay at the WORTH Center during hearings held Wednesday in Van Wert County Common Pleas Court.

Shay Ringwald, 26, of Middle Point, was given 12 months in prison on a charge of possession of heroin, a fifth-degree felony offense. Probate-Juvenile Court Judge Kevin Taylor also ordered that Ringwald be given credit for three days already served.

David L. Boff Jr., 22, of Van Wert, was also sentenced to 12 months in prison on a charge of illegal use of a minor in a nudity-oriented performance, a felony of the fourth degree. Judge Charles D. Steele also gave Boff credit for 13 days already served and classified him as a Tier 1 sexual offender, who must register with the county sheriff’s office once a year for 15 years.

Jerad Smith, 26, of Van Wert was given nine months in prison on a charge of theft of a credit card, a fifth-degree felony, and must make restitution totaling $462 to the victim in the case.

Tiffany Riley, 25, of Van Wert, was given three years of community control on a charge of theft, a felony of the fifth degree, for stealing money from a former employer, Young’s Waste Service of Van Wert. Riley must also spend up to six months in the Western Ohio Regional Treatment and Habilitation (WORTH) Center in Lima and must make restitution in the amount of $14,733 to the company.

Others who appeared in Common Pleas Court on Wednesday include the following:

Jonathon Mattix, 28, of Van Wert, was given three years of community control, including 180 days in jail, on a charge of failure to register as a sex offender, a fourth-degree felony. He must also undergo a psychosexual assessment and treatment.

Countez Kelly, 22, of Lima, was given three years of community control, to include up to six months at the WORTH Center, on a charge of possession of cocaine, a felony of the fourth degree.

Kelly must also obtain his General Educational Development (GED) certificate and obtain employment after he is released from the WORTH Center.

Bronson Pate, 33, of Van Wert, appeared for sentencing, but requested a new attorney. After a hearing on the matter, Judge Taylor granted the request and rescheduled sentencing for 9 a.m. Wednesday, April 8.

Tawnie Johnson, 26, of Van Wert, admitted to violating her probation by following to follow rules related to a court furlough. She was ordered held in jail until she can be sent to the WORTH Center for up to six months.

Amber Smith, 33, of Van Wert, pleaded guilty to a prosecutor’s bill of information on a charge of possession of heroin, a fifth-degree felony. She requested, and was granted, treatment in lieu of conviction and her case was stayed, pending completed of a substance abuse treatment plan.