Man who refuses probation gets prison

Van Wert independent/submitted information

A total of 10 people appeared in Van Wert County Common Pleas Court on Wednesday for criminal hearings, including two sentencings. Judge Martin Burchfield heard nine of the cases, while County Probate-Juvenile Court Judge Kevin Taylor heard one probation violation case.

Jeremy Workman, 35, of Van Wert, was sentenced to prison after he refused to be placed on community control following his jury trial two weeks ago on a charge of possession of heroin, a felony of the fifth degree.

Judge Martin Burchfield sentenced Workman to 11 months in prison, while also giving him credit for 67 days already served.

Zachariah Germann, 28, of Van Wert, was placed on five years of community control, including 60 days in jail, with work release, on a charge of theft, a fifth-degree felony offense.

Germann must also complete all recommended programs, including drug court.

A Delphos man was also resentenced on a charge of theft from a person in a protected class and forgery, both felonies of the fifth degree. William Estle, 30, was given five years of community control, must undergo mental health and substance abuse assessments and complete any recommended programs.

Two people were also arraigned Wednesday on grand jury indictments.

Jami Lynn Melcher, 34, of Convoy, entered a not guilty plea to a charge of operating a vehicle while under the influence, a misdemeanor of the first degree, and failure to comply with the order of a law enforcement officer (fleeing and eluding), a third-degree felony offense.

She was released on a personal surety bond, with the condition that she not drive except during certain specified times. A pretrial conference was scheduled for 8 a.m. Wednesday, September 7.

Kenneth Lewis, 43, of Defiance, pleaded guilty to a charge of failure to appear, a first-degree misdemeanor. A sentencing hearing was set for 9 a.m. Wednesday, September 28.

Tyler Roth, 29, of Van Wert, pleaded guilty to a prosecutor’s bill of information charging him with assault, a misdemeanor of the first degree, and unlawful restraint, a third-degree misdemeanor offense. Sentencing was scheduled for 9 a.m. September 28, and previous charges filed against Roth were dismissed in exchange for his guilty plea.

Also Wednesday, Eric Kangas, 39, of Delphos, waived his constitutional right to a speedy trial to allow his attorney to have more time to prepare his case.

Crystal Protsman, 22, of Van Wert, admitted to violating her bond and treatment in lieu of conviction program by failing to complete counseling at Westwood Behavioral Health Center in Van Wert. Her treatment in lieu program was continued for one additional year to that she can complete all requirements.

Andria Temple, 35, of Van Wert, admitted to violating her probation by being convicted of domestic violence in Van Wert Municipal Court. She was sentenced to 180 days in jail, with credit for 128 days already served.

Dezmond Bywaters, 24, of Van Wert, admitted in front of Judge Taylor that he violated his probation by testing positive for drugs and failing to comply with other testing. Judge Taylor sentenced him to serve his deferred sentence of 12 months in prison, with credit for 100 days already served.