6 people arraigned in County CP Court

DAVE MOSIER/independent editor

Six people were arraigned Wednesday in Van Wert County Common Pleas on grand jury indictments, while four other people appeared for plea changes or violation hearings.

Those arraigned include Dustin Garrett, 31, of Grover Hill, who entered not guilty pleas to six counts of pandering sexually oriented material involving a minor, and two counts of pandering obscenity involving a minor. Each count is a felony of the second degree.

Judge Martin Burchfield released Garrett on a personal surety bond, with the added conditions that he have no Internet access, terminate his Internet account, and have no contact with minor children. A pretrial conference was scheduled for 8 a.m. Wednesday, April 20.

Ann Radel, 51, of Scott, pleaded not guilty to a charge of improper handling of a firearm in a motor vehicle, a felony of the fourth degree. She was released on a surety bond and will appear for a pretrial conference at 8 a.m. April 20.

Brittney Williams, 25, of Lima, entered a not guilty plea to one count of aggravated possession of drugs, a felony of the fifth degree. She was released on a surety bond and will appear for a pretrial conference at 8 a.m. April 20.

Christina McHugh, 43, of Van Wert, pleaded not guilty to a charge of passing bad checks, a felony of the fifth degree. She was released on a surety bond and a pretrial conference was scheduled for 8 a.m. April 20.

Tyler Pessefall, 18, and Douglas Billingham, 18, both of Van Wert, entered not guilty pleas to one count each of breaking and entering and vandalism, each a felony of the fifth degree. They were released on a surety bond, with the condition that he have no contact with the alleged victim or his property. A pretrial conference was set for each defendant for 8 a.m. April 20.

Two people also changed their pleas during hearings held Wednesday.

Sean Ramos, 22, of Van Wert, changed his plea to guilty to a charge of domestic violence, a first-degree misdemeanor (reduced from a felony of the fourth degree). A presentence investigation was ordered and sentencing scheduled for 9 a.m. Wednesday, May 11.

Danny Mullins, 58, of Van Wert, changed his plea to guilty to two counts of possession of heroin, each a felony of the fifth degree. Three other drug charges were dismissed in exchange for his guilty plea, while he requested, and was granted, treatment in lieu of conviction. Judge Burchfield stayed the case pending Mullins’ successful completion of a substance abuse treatment program.

Two people also appeared for violation hearings on Wednesday.

Zachariah Germann, 28, of Van Wert, admitted to violating his bond by failing to report to probation as ordered. Sentencing was scheduled for 9 a.m. Wednesday, April 27.

Kitti Johnson, 28, of Convoy, admitted to violating her treatment in lieu of conviction program by failing to complete counseling at Westwood Behavioral Health Center in Van Wert. Judge Burchfield scheduled sentencing for 9 a.m. May 11.