2 sentenced, 4 change pleas in CP Court

DAVE MOSIER/independent editor

One person was sentenced and four people changed their pleas during criminal hearings held over the past week in Van Wert County Common Pleas Court.

Amanda LaBounty, 36, of Payne, was sentenced to nine days on each of two counts of falsification, both misdemeanors of the first degree. Judge Martin D. Burchfield then gave LaBounty credit for nine days already served.

A sentencing hearing for Stephen Davies, 39, of Van Wert, was continued to 9 a.m. Wednesday, January 8, 2020, due to illness of Davies’ attorney.

Those who entered changes of plea include the following:

Danny Felger Jr., 56, of Ohio City, changed his plea to guilty to an amended charge of attempted retaliation, a felony of the fourth degree. He was released on an unsecured personal surety bond, with the condition he have no contact with Judge Jill Straley or Van Wert Municipal Court and he cannot be on State Route 118.  A presentence investigation was also ordered and sentencing scheduled for 9:30 a.m. Friday, February 7, 2020.

Devin Siano, 27, of Van Wert, changed his plea to guilty to one count of aggravated possession of drugs, a felony of the fifth degree. He then requested, and was granted, intervention in lieu of conviction and his case was stayed pending successful completion of a substance abuse treatment program.

Jered Panning, 21, of Van Wert, changed his plea to guilty to two counts of aggravated trafficking in drugs, each a felony of the fourth degree. Judge Burchfield ordered a presentence investigation and Panning will appear for sentencing at 9 a.m. Tuesday, January 28, 2020.

Trei Geiser, 23, of Huntertown, Indiana, changed his plea to guilty to one count of theft, a felony of the fifth degree. Judge Burchfield then sentenced Geiser to 60 days in jail with credit for 59 days already served, and also ordered him to pay $4,096 in restitution to the local Walmart store. Geiser was also ordered transferred to Defiance County on warrants issued in that county.

Also this week, Charles Miller, 64, of Van Wert, admitted to violating his probation by failing to report to probation and failing to complete a treatment assessment. He was sentenced to 180 days in jail, with credit for 68 days already served, and must pay a prior restitution order.