7 arraigned on grand jury indictments

DAVE MOSIER/independent editor

Seven people were arraigned, four people sentenced, and a total of 19 people appeared for hearings in Vann Wert County Common Pleas Court on Wednesday.

Those arraigned before Judge Martin Burchfield include the following:

Deanna Lugabihl, 55, of Willshire, entered a not guilty plea to a charge of identity fraud, a felony of the fifth degree. She was released on a personal surety bond and a pretrial conference scheduled for 8 a.m. Wednesday, August 3.

Shawn P. English, 35, of Van Wert, pleaded not guilty to a charge of theft, a fifth-degree felony. He was ordered held on a $50,000 cash bond, and will appear for a pretrial conference at 8 a.m. August 3.

Zacharia Germann, 28, of Van Wert, entered not guilty pleas to one count each of forgery, and theft, both felonies of the fifth degree. He was released on a surety bond and will appear for a pretrial conference at 8 a.m. August 3.

Terrance Branson, 20, of Van Wert, pleaded not guilty to one count each of theft, a felony of the fifth degree, and misuse of a credit card, a first-degree misdemeanor. He was released on a personal surety bond and a pretrial conference set for 8 a.m. August 3.

Joshua Carroll, 28, of Van Wert, entered a not guilty plea to one count of domestic violence, a misdemeanor of the first degree. He was released on a surety bond and will appear for a pretrial conference at 8 a.m. August 3.

David Meeker Sr., 53, of Van Wert, pleaded not guilty to one count of theft, a felony of the fifth degree. He was released on a surety bond, with the additional specification that he have no contact with Ronald Wannemacher or Gale Davis. A pretrial conference was scheduled for 8 a.m. Wednesday, August 10.

Melissa Nihiser, 30, of Van Wert, entered a not guilty plea to one count each of forgery and theft, both felonies of the fifth degree. She was released on a surety bond and will appear for a pretrial conference at 8 a.m. August 3.

Those sentenced on Wednesday include the following:

Alisha Elder, 37, of Van Wert, was given five years of community control on one count each of forgery and theft, both felonies of the fifth degree. She was also ordered to pay restitution totaling $967.33 to Walmart.

Janet St. John, 33, of Fort Wayne, Indiana, was given two years of community control on a charge of operating a vehicle while impaired, a first-degree misdemeanor. She was also fined $375 and her driver’s license was suspended for six months.

Cody Teman, 32, of Delphos, who previously admitted to violating his probation by being in possession of an illegal substance, was given five years of community control, under the same terms as before, plus must participate in drug court.

Thomas Keller, 50, of Delphos, was given three years of community control on a charge of attempted theft, a first-degree misdemeanor. He must also serve 60 days on electronic house arrest and make restitution totaling $6,000 to the Department of Job and Family Services.

Two people also entered plea changes on Wednesday. They include:

Brittney Williams, 25, of Lima, changed her plea to guilty to a charge of aggravated possession of drugs, a felony of the fifth degree. She then requested, and was granted, treatment in lieu of conviction and her case was stayed pending completion of a substance abuse treatment program.

William Estle, 30, of Delphos, changed his plea to guilty to one count each of theft from a person in a protected class and forgery, both felonies of the fifth degree. Judge Burchfield ordered a presentence investigation and scheduled sentencing for 9 a.m. Wednesday, August 17.

Judge Burchfield also presided over one probation violation hearing. Jose Sanchez, 37, of Van Wert, admitted to violating his probation by refusing to provide a urine sample when requested by the probation department. The judge sentenced him to 16 months in prison, with credit for 124 days already served.

Two defendants also appeared in court to waive their constitutional right to a speedy trial. They include:

Andrew Thomas, 34, of Ohio City, requested additional time to prepare his defense and signed a waiver of his rights to a speedy trial.

Donald O’Day, 39, of Van Wert, requested additional time to find a new attorney and also signed a waiver of his rights to a speedy trial.

Van Wert County Probate-Juvenile Judge Kevin Taylor also heard three probation violation cases on Wednesday.

Ashley McKee, 32, of Van Wert, admitted to violating her probation by testing positive for drugs. She was sentenced to three years community control, including up to six months in the Western Ohio Regional Treatment and Habilitation (WORTH) Center in Lima.

Joe Quevedo, 51, of Van Wert, admitted to violating his probation by testing positive for drug use. He was also given three months of community control, including up to six months at the WORTH Center.

Josh Sargent, 34, of Van Wert, denied allegations that he violated his probation by being convicted of another crime and failing to complete court-ordered evaluations. A hearing will be scheduled at a later date to hear evidence in the case.