8 people appear in Common Pleas Court

DAVE MOSIER/independent editor

Eight people appeared Wednesday in Van Wert County Common Pleas Court for a variety of criminal hearings.

David Phinney, 21, of Delphos, entered not guilty pleas to three counts of trafficking in marijuana and one count of possession of marijuana, all felonies of the fifth degree, as well as having a weapon while under disability, a third-degree felony.

He was released on a personal surety bond, with a pretrial conference scheduled for 8 a.m. Wednesday, September 28.

Donald O’Day, 39, of Van Wert, was sentenced to 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 possession of cocaine, a felony of the fourth degree.

His driver’s license was also suspended for six months.

Five people changed their pleas during hearings held Wednesday.

Sandra Conley, 53, of Sylvania, pleaded guilty to a charge of deception to obtain a dangerous drug, a felony of the fourth degree. She then requested, and was granted, treatment in lieu of conviction. Her case was stayed pending successful completion of a substance abuse treatment program.

Consuelo Pardo, 43, of Van Wert, changed her plea to guilty to one count of theft, a misdemeanor of the first degree (downgraded from a fifth-degree felony). Three other charges were also dismissed in exchange for her guilty plea to the theft count. Sentencing was scheduled for 9 a.m. September 28.

Chad Snavely, 45, of Haviland, changed his plea to no contest on a charge of domestic violence (reduced to a first-degree misdemeanor from a fourth-degree felony). Judge Martin Burchfield found Snavely guilty of the charge and set sentencing for 9 a.m. September 28.

Brandon Reynolds, 20, of Van Wert, changed his plea to guilty to one count of importuning, a felony of the fifth degree. Judge Burchfield ordered a presentence investigation and Reynolds will appear for sentencing at 9 a.m. Wednesday, October 26. Reynolds’ bond was also amended to allow him to attend an in-house treatment program in Pennsylvania.

Justin Taylor, 31, of Van Wert, changed his plea to guilty to a charge of attempted having a weapon while under disability, a felony of the fourth degree (reduced from having a weapon under disability, a third-degree felony). He was then sentenced to 18 months in prison, with credit for 41 days served.

Also Wednesday, Jessica Leppard, 27, of Van Wert, admitted to violating her bond by consuming intoxicants or possessing drugs. She was rereleased on a surety bond, with the additional conditions that she not leave Van Wert County and that she abide by a curfew during the hours of 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. every day.

Judge Burchfield ordered a presentence investigation and set a sentencing hearing for 9 a.m. October 26.