Trio gets prison in Common Pleas Court

DAVE MOSIER/independent editor

Three people received prison sentences during sentencing hearings held this week in Van Wert County Common Pleas Court.

Phillip Vickery, 29, of Decatur, Indiana, was sentenced to 24 months in prison on each of two counts of aggravated trafficking in drugs, each a felony of the third degree, and 18 months on one count of trafficking in a Fentanyl-related compound, a fourth-degree felony. The sentences are to run concurrently, with credit for 21 days already served. Vickery must also forfeit $60 to the Van Wert County Sheriff’s Office.

Jered Panning, 21, of Van Wert, was sentenced to 16 months in prison on each of two counts of aggravated trafficking in drugs, each a felony of the fourth degree. The sentences will run concurrently, and Panning was given credit for 94 days already served.

Phillip Graves, 26, of Columbus, was sentenced to nine months in prison on a charge of failure to register as a sex offender, a felony of the fourth degree. He was given credit for 82 days already served.

Kimberly Miller, 54, of Van Wert, pleaded not guilty to one count of theft from a person in a protected class, a felony of the third degree. She was released on an unsecured personal surety bond and will appear for a pretrial conference at 8 a.m. Wednesday, February 19.

Christopher Carpenter, 19, of Decatur, changed is plea to guilty to two counts of gross sexual imposition, each a felony of the third degree. Judge Martin D. Burchfield ordered a presentence investigation and scheduled sentencing for 10 a.m. Friday, March 6.

Kollin Taylor, 19, of Van Wert, admitted to violating his probation by being unsuccessfully terminated from the Western Ohio Regional Treatment and Habilitation (WORTH) Center in Lima. He was sentenced to a new three-year term of community control, beginning Wednesday, and was returned to the WORTH Center to complete that program. He must also perform 200 hours of community service.

Josh Carroll, 32, of Van Wert, admitted violating his work release program by using a cell phone while at work, which was prohibited by the terms of his work release. Work release was reinstated.

Two people admitted violating their surety bond conditions.

Christina Donate-McClure, 30, of Van Wert, admitted violating her bond by possessing or using harmful intoxicants. A new cash bond was set at $50,000 and a pretrial conference on her original charge was also held Wednesday.

Justin Reiley, 37, of Van Wert, admitted to violating his bond by failing to appear for his pre-sentence review at the probation office. A new $50,000 cash bond was set in the case and sentencing will be held at 9 a.m. February 19.