9 people appear for CP Court hearings

DAVE MOSIER/independent editor

Nine people appeared in Van Wert County Common Pleas Court on Wednesday for criminal hearings.

Breana Blair, 19, of Van Wert, was given five years of community control, including up to six months in the Western Ohio Regional Treatment and Habilitation (WORTH) Center in Lima, on a charge of abusing harmful intoxicants, a felony of the fifth degree.

Judge Martin Burchfield also ordered her to complete a General Educational Development (GED) certificate, be assessed for drug court, and suspended her driver’s license for six months.

Three people also entered changes of plea on Wednesday.

David Meeker Sr., 53, of Van Wert, changed his plea to guilty to an amended charge of theft, a misdemeanor of the first degree (reduced from a felony theft count). Judge Burchfield scheduled sentencing for 9 a.m. Wednesday, August 17.

Deanna Lugabihl, 55, of Willshire, changed her plea to guilty to one count of attempted identity fraud, a first-degree misdemeanor (reduced from identity fraud, a felony of the fifth degree). Sentencing was set for 8:45 a.m. Wednesday, August 24.

Zachariah Germann, 28, of Van Wert, changed his plea to guilty to one count of theft, a felony of the fifth degree. One count of forgery, also a fifth-degree felony, was dismissed in exchange for his guilty plea to the theft charge. A presentence investigation was ordered and Germann will appear for sentencing at 9 a.m. Wednesday, August 31.

Three people also appeared on probation violation charges.

David Seibert, 23, of Van Wert, admitted to violating his probation by refusing treatment at the WORTH Center in Lima. He was then sentenced to serve his previously deferred nine-month prison term, with Judge Burchfield giving him credit for 46 days already served.

Sean Ramos, 22, of Van Wert, admitted to violating his probation by failing to report to probation, and failing to complete an alcohol assessment and treatment. Judge Burchfield sentenced him to serve his deferred 180-day jail sentence, and gave him credit for 40 days already served.

Charles Purdy II, 27, of St. Marys, denied violating his probation by failing to report to probation. A pretrial conference was set in the case for 9 a.m. Wednesday, August 10.

Also Wednesday, two people appeared for bond violation hearings.

Joshua Carroll, 28, of Van Wert, admitted to violating his bond by failing to report to probation for several weeks. He was re-released on a personal surety bond and the case was scheduled for a pretrial conference at 8 a.m. August 17.

Terrence Branson, 20, of Van Wert, admitted to violating his bond by failing to report for probation. He was ordered held on a $5,000 cash or commercial surety bond and a pretrial conference set for 8 a.m. August 31.