Van Wert teen pleads to 9 counts of arson

DAVE MOSIER/independent editor

A Van Wert teen charged with nine counts of arson was among 11 people arraigned Wednesday in Van Wert County Common Pleas Court before Judge Martin Burchfield.

Noah Girod, 18, entered not guilty pleas to six counts of aggravated arson, all felonies of the first degree; two counts of aggravated arson, both second-degree felonies; and one count of arson, a felony of the fourth degree; as part of grand jury arraignments held Wednesday.

Girod was ordered held on a $500,000 cash bond and will appear for a pretrial conference at 8 a.m. Wednesday, August 31.

According to Van Wert County Sheriff Thomas M. Riggenbach, Girod, who has been in a juvenile detention facility since April, when his office’s investigation into a series of suspected arson fires was completed, was recently ordered bound over to the grand jury during an amenability hearing in Van Wert County Juvenile Court.

The arson counts were filed in connection with three fires that occurred in Hoaglin Township back in April at two different properties within a 24-hour period. The first-degree arson charges were filed in connection with fires that posed a substantial risk of physical harm to other people, while the second-degree arson charges were filed as the result of fires with a substantial risk to property worth at least $1,000 without the owner’s consent.

The Ohio State Fire Marshal’s Office assisted in the investigation.

Jacob Thomas, 24, of Ohio City, pleaded not guilty to one count of gross sexual imposition, a felony of the fourth degree. He was released on a personal surety bond, with the added condition that he not have any contact with the alleged victim in the case. He will appear for a pretrial conference at 8 a.m. August 31.

Christopher McLemore, 39, of Convoy, entered not guilty pleas to seven counts of receiving stolen property, all felonies of the fourth degree, and three fifth-degree felony counts of the same charge. He was released on a surety bond, and will appear for a pretrial conference at 8 a.m. August 31.

David Haught Jr., 30, of Ada, pleaded not guilty to one count of aggravated possession of drugs, a felony of the fifth degree. He was released on a surety bond and a pretrial conference was scheduled for 8 a.m. Wednesday, August 24.

Jeremy Grenzebach, 35, of Van Wert, entered a not guilty plea to one count of domestic violence, a felony of the fourth degree. He was released on a surety bond and a pretrial conference was set for 8 a.m. Wednesday, August 17.

Amanda Miller, 29, and Kobediah Miller Jr., 36, both of Van Wert, pleaded not guilty to one count of illegal cultivation of marijuana, a felony of the second degree. Both were released on a surety bond and will appear for a pretrial conference at 8 a.m. August 31.

Chad Snavely, 45, of Haviland, entered a not guilty plea to one count of domestic violence, a fourth-degree felony offense. He was released on a surety bond and a pretrial conference was scheduled for 8 a.m. August 24.

James Ramirez, 26, of Van Wert, pleaded not guilty to one count of breaking and entering, a felony of the fifth degree. He was released on a surety bond and a pretrial conference set for 8 a.m. August 31.

Brandon Reynolds, 20, of Van Wert, entered a not guilty plea to one count of importuning, a fifth-degree felony. He was released on a surety bond and will appear for a pretrial conference at 8 a.m. August 24.

Kevin Davies Jr., 26, of Van Wert, pleaded not guilty to one count of possession of heroin, a felony of the fifth degree. He was released on a surety bond and a pretrial conference was scheduled for 8 a.m. August 31.

Two people entered changes of plea on Wednesday.

Shawn English, 35, of Van Wert, changed his plea to guilty to one count of theft, a fifth-degree felony. Judge Burchfield ordered a presentence investigation and scheduled sentencing for 9 a.m. Wednesday, September 28.

Nathan Egly, 30, of Fort Wayne, Indiana, changed his plea to guilty to possession of heroin, a fourth-degree felony offense, (reduced from a third-degree felony). 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.

Judge Burchfield also heard two probation violation cases.

Charles Purdy, 27, of St. Marys, admitted to violating his probation by failing to report to probation. He was resentenced to five years of community control, with an added condition that he spend 30 days in jail, with credit for 24 days already served.

Jessica Leppard, 27, of Van Wert, admitted to violating her probation by testing positive for drugs. Her case was set for a further hearing at 9 a.m. Wednesday, September 7.

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

Jered Couch, 29, of Van Wert, admitted to violating his probation by testing positive for cocaine. He was resentenced to three years of community control, with an additional 30 days in jail to be served at a later date.

Tommie Pruitt, 39, of Dayton, admitted to violating his probation by failing to report to probation. He was resentenced to three years of probation, with an additional 60 days in jail. He must also undergo a drug court assessment.

Casey McMillen, 32, of Van Wert, admitted to violating his probation by testing positive for opiates. He was resentenced to three years of community control, with the addition of 60 days in jail and a drug court assessment.