Van Wert woman given prison sentence

Van Wert independent staff

A local woman sentenced to prison on drug trafficking charges was one of five criminal cases heard Wednesday in Van Wert County Common Pleas Court.

Brittnie Garwood, 27, of Van Wert, was sentenced to nine months in prison on a charge of trafficking in a counterfeit controlled substance. The charge is a felony of the fifth degree.

Judge Martin Burchfield also ordered Garwood to pay $140 in restitution to the West Central Ohio Crime Task Force.

Also Wednesday, Joseph Mohr Jr., 39, of Van Wert, waived his right to a speedy trial and requested a continuance of his trial, originally scheduled for January 2016. The continuance was granted and a pretrial conference set for 2 p.m. Tuesday, December 1.

Aaron Deffenbaugh, 20, of Van Wert, entered a guilty plea to a prosecutor’s bill of information charging him with trespass in a habitation, a felony of the fourth degree. A second-degree felony charge of burglary was dismissed in exchange for his guilty plea. He then requested, and was granted, treatment in lieu of conviction. His case was stayed pending successful completion of a treatment program.

Crystal Protsman, 21, of Van Wert, changed her plea to guilty to a charge of theft, a felony of the fifth degree. She also requested, and was granted, treatment in lieu of conviction. Her case was stayed pending completion of a treatment program.

Jordan Black, 28, of Van Wert, requested that his bond be changed to a persona surety bond. Judge Burchfield granted the request on the conditions that Black has no contact with his grandparents, passes regular drug tests and obeys an 8 p.m. to 8 a.m. curfew.