VW man gets prison term on drug charges

DAVE MOSIER/independent editor

Two people were sentenced, with one getting prison time, during hearings held this past week in Van Wert County Common Pleas Court.

Charles Jenkins, 42, of Van Wert, was sentenced to 18 months in prison, with credit for 16 days already served, on a charge of aggravated trafficking in drugs, a felony of the third degree, and 12 months in prison, also with 16 days’ credit for time served, on one count of possession of heroin, a felony of the fifth degree. The sentences are to run concurrent to one another.

Judge Martin D. Burchfield also ordered Jenkins to forfeit $240 and a firearm used in the crimes to the Van Wert County Sheriff’s Office.

Candelario Jimmie Benavidez, 67, of Van Wert, was sentenced to three years of community control on a charge of illegal use of a minor in nudity oriented material or performance, a felony of the fifth degree, with 90 days in jail. He was also banned from using illegal drugs or alcohol, must undergo random testing, substance abuse and mental health assessments and any treatment recommended, and must have no contact with the victim. Benavidez was also classified as a Tier 1 sex offender and must register annually for the next 15 years. He will report to jail on February 10 to serve the 90-day sentence.

Scott Eckelbarger, 53, of Fort Wayne, Indiana, entered a not guilty plea to one count of operating a vehicle while impaired, a felony of the fourth degree, during an arraignment hearing Wednesday. He was released on a personal surety bond and will appear for a pretrial conference at 8 a.m. Wednesday, February 19. He was also banned from driving in the state of Ohio.

Also Wednesday, Abbey Eutsler, 33, of Venedocia, was found to be competent to stand trial during a hearing Wednesday. The ruling came after an evaluation of Eutsler by Court Diagnostic Services in Toledo. Judge Burchfield also rejected Eutsler’s plea of not guilty by reason of insanity. She then pleaded guilty to two counts of domestic violence, each a felony of the fourth degree. A presentence investigation was ordered and sentencing scheduled for 9 a.m. Wednesday, March 4.

Philip Vickery, 29, of Decatur, Indiana, admitted violating his unsecured personal surety bond by failing to appear since September 18, 2019. A $50,000 cash bond was set in the case and sentencing scheduled for 8 a.m. Tuesday, January 28.

Nathaniel Thomas, 41, of Van Wert, admitted to violating his bond by not reporting to probation since December 19, 2019. A $5,000 cash bond was set and he also appear for a pretrial conference at 8 a.m. Wednesday, with no further information on that hearing.