1 sentenced, 4 appear in County CP Court

Van Wert independent

Four people appeared in Van Wert County Common Pleas Court on Wednesday, including a Van Wert man sentenced on a drunk driving charge.

Judge Martin Burchfield sentenced Elige Johnson, 55, to two years of community control, including 60 days in jail, and his license was suspended for three years, on a charge of operating a vehicle while under the influence, a misdemeanor of the first degree.

Johnson also had to pay a fine of $375, plus restitution to Mary Jane Schweller totaling $500, and had to undergo substance abuse assessment and treatment.

Levar Reed, 19, of Atlanta, Georgia, changed his plea to guilty to a charge of attempted tampering with evidence, a felony of the fourth degree (reduced from tampering with evidence, a felony of the third degree). A second count of trafficking in marijuana was also dismissed in exchange for his guilty plea.

Judge Burchfield ordered a presentence investigation and scheduled sentencing for 9 a.m. Wednesday, May 18.

Thomas Keller, 49, of Delphos, also appeared in court to request additional time to retain an attorney. Judge Burchfield granted the request and continued Keller’s pretrial conference until 8 a.m. Wednesday, May 4.

County Probate-Juvenile Court Judge Kevin Taylor also presided over a probation violation hearing for Joshua Sargent, 34, of Van Wert. Following the hearing, Judge Taylor took the matter under advisement.