City man gets prison for domestic violence

DAVE MOSIER/independent editor

A Van Wert man who received a prison sentence was one of 10 people who appeared for criminal hearings this past week in Van Wert County Common Pleas Court.

Daniel Craig, 38, of Van Wert, was sentenced to 16 months in prison on a charge of domestic violence, a fourth-degree felony, and 180 days in jail on a charge of assault, a first-degree misdemeanor, with 80 days credit given for time served.

John Curts, 41, of Willshire, was given two years of community service, including having no alcohol or drugs without a prescription. He must also maintain his job at Scott Miller Trucking, submit to random drug and alcohol testing, undergo a substance abuse assessment and any treatment recommended, and pay restitution of $9,786.21 to Piper Trucking, and $626.28 to the Van Wert County Sheriff’s Office.

Mitchell Grote, 24, of Van Wert, was sentenced to 40 days in jail each on one count each of receiving stolen property and carrying a concealed weapon, each a first-degree misdemeanor. The sentences are to run at the same time, with credit for 20 days already served.

Three people were also arraigned on grand jury indictments.

Jacob Thomas, 28, of Convoy, pleaded not guilty to one count of possession of cocaine, a felony of the fifth degree. He was released on an unsecured personal surety bond and will appear for a pretrial conference at 8 a.m. Wednesday, March 11.

Stephanie Farmer, 38, of Van Wert, entered not guilty pleas to one count each of theft from a person in a protected class, a felony of the fifth degree, and safecracking, a fourth-degree felony. She was released on a personal surety bond and will appear for a pretrial conference at 9 a.m. Friday, March 6.

Brandon Potter, 34, of Van Wert, pleaded not guilty to one count of aggravated trafficking in drugs, a felon of the fourth degree, and two counts of trafficking in heroin, both felonies of the fifth degree. He was released on a personal surety bond and will appear for a pretrial conference at 9 a.m. March 6.

Three people also entered changes of plea.

Scott Eckelberger, 54, of Fort Wayne, Indiana, changed his plea to guilty to one count of operating a vehicle while impaired, a felony of the third degree. Judge Martin D. Burchfield ordered a presentence investigation and scheduled sentencing for 9 a.m. Wednesday, March 25.

Sherri DaVaughn, 55, of Van Wert, changed her plea to guilty to two counts each of theft of drugs, both felonies of the fourth degree; aggravated possession of drugs, both felonies of the fifth degree; and illegal processing of drug instruments, both fourth-degree felonies. She then requested, and was granted, intervention in lieu of conviction, and her case was stayed pending her successful completion of a substance abuse treatment program.

Jeffery Harmon, 56, of Van Wert, changed his plea to guilty to one count of grand theft, a felony of the fourth degree. He then requested, and was granted, a request to allow him to participate in the Allen County diversion program. The case was stayed pending completion of the diversion program, and will be dismissed if he successfully completes the program.

Also this week, Charles Miller, 64, of Van Wert, signed a waiver of his constitutional right to a speedy trial and was granted a time extension for his upcoming trial.