11 arraigned on grand jury indictments

DAVE MOSIER/independent editor

A total of 11 people were arraigned Wednesday on charges handed down in the January session of the Van Wert County Grand Jury, while three other people appeared in County Common Pleas Court for other hearings. Judge Martin Burchfield presided over all 14 hearings.

A couple charged with food stamp fraud were among those arraigned on Wednesday.

Clarence Durden, 42, and Joy Durden, 38, both of Van Wert, pleaded not guilty to one count each of illegal use of food stamps, a felony of the third degree, and tampering with evidence, a fourth-degree felony offense.

Both Durdens were released on personal surety bonds, while a pretrial conference will be scheduled later with a visiting judge.

Candice Huffman, 30, of Van Wert, entered a not guilty plea to a charge of burglary, a felony of the second degree. She was released on a personal surety bond, with the stipulation she have no contact with the alleged victim in the case. A pretrial conference was set for 8 a.m. Wednesday, January 27.

Sean Ramos, 21, of Van Wert, pleaded not guilty to a charge of domestic violence, a fourth-degree felony. He was released on a surety bond, with the stipulation he have no contact with the alleged victim in the case.

Josh Sargent, 34, of Van Wert, entered a not guilty plea to a charge of domestic violence, a felony of the third degree. He was also released on a surety bond and will appear for a pretrial conference at 8 a.m. January 27.

Sara Boroff, 33, of Van Wert, pleaded not guilty to a charge of trafficking in heroin, a fourth-degree felony. She was released on a surety bond and will appear for a pretrial conference at 8 a.m. January 27.

Danny Mullins, 58, of Van Wert, entered not guilty pleas to two counts of trafficking in heroin, two counts of possession of heroin, and one count of aggravated possession of drugs, all fifth-degree felonies. He was released on a surety bond and will appear for a pretrial conference at 8 a.m. January 27.

Elige Johnson, 54, of Van Wert, pleaded not guilty to a charge of operating a vehicle while under the influence, a felony of the third degree. He was released on a surety bond, with the added stipulation he not operate any vehicle, and a pretrial conference scheduled for 8 a.m. January 27.

Jacinto Carvajal, 31, of Van Wert, entered a not guilty plea to a charge of aggravated possession of drugs, a felony of the fifth degree. He was released on a surety bond, with the condition he be on electronically monitored house arrest and undergo an evaluation at Westwood Behavioral Health Center. A pretrial conference was set for 8 a.m. January 27.

Lorenzo Frye, 27, of Van Wert, pleaded not guilty to a charge of domestic violence, a third-degree felony offense. He was released on a surety bond, with the condition that he make no threats or assaults, and a pretrial conference was scheduled for 8 a.m. January 27.

Marissa Kreischer, 30, of Van Wert, entered not guilty pleas to one count each of possession of heroin and possession of drugs, both felonies of the fifth degree. She was released on a surety bond and will appear for a pretrial conference at 8 a.m. January 27.

Two people also appeared for change of plea hearings on Wednesday.

Don Carter, 40, of Middle Point, changed his plea to guilty to two counts of interference with custody, each a first-degree misdemeanor (reduced from felony charges of interference with custody). A presentence investigation was ordered and sentencing scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, February 10.

Allen Kline, 26, of Van Wert, changed his plea to guilty to one count of aggravated possession of drugs. He then requested, and was granted, treatment in lieu of conviction and his case was stayed pending successful completion of a treatment program.

Also Wednesday, Dawnja Sol Fuentes, 27, of Van Wert, signed a waiver of her right to a speedy trial in open court and requested a continuance of her trial, originally scheduled for February, on charges of aggravated possession of drugs and tampering with evidence.