Woman gets prison for probation miscues

VW independent information

A Van Wert woman sent to prison for violating her probation was one of three people who appeared Wednesday for hearings in Van Wert County Common Pleas Court.

Ruth Ann Napier Caldwell, 23, of Van Wert, was sentenced by Judge Martin Burchfield to serve her previously deferred 36-month prison sentence after she admitted to violating her probation by leaving her residential treatment program without permission, and by associating with a convicted felon.

Judge Burchfield gave Caldwell credit for 119 days already served.

Drew Dembickie, 22, of Paulding, changed his plea to guilty to a charge of possession of cocaine, a felony of the fifth degree.

He then requested, and was granted, treatment in lieu of conviction, and his case was stayed pending successful completion of a substance abuse treatment program.

Aron Lichtenberger, 37, of Lima, signed a waiver of his constitutional right to a speedy trial and then was granted a continuance of his trial date so that he could hire a new attorney.