Longtime drug addict trying to get clean

DAVE MOSIER/independent editor

A man with a long history of drug problems showed signs Wednesday that he is working hard to clean up his act.

Van Wert Common Pleas Judge Charles D. Steele sentenced Jason Lamb, 29, of Van Wert, to three years of community control, with some additional requirements, on each count of a two-count indictment for trafficking in drugs, both fourth-degree felony offenses. The community control programs are to run concurrently.

Lamb’s attorney, John Hatcher, had requested community control, citing the fact that Lamb has been off drugs for approximately 130 days and has successfully completed the Fresh Start program.

“He knows that he has been in trouble with this court before, has been in the WORTH Center at one point,” Hatcher noted. “He is ready for the change, ready to move on.”

The local man agreed when he had the opportunity to speak during the sentencing hearing.

“I want it this time,” Lamb said. “I wanted to get caught; my life revolved around drugs all the time before I got help.”

“It looks like you have a long history of substance abuse,” Judge Steele noted during sentencing. “We want to get you past that.”

The judge said he had originally planned to resentence Lamb to the Western Ohio Regional Treatment and Habilitation (WORTH) Center in Lima, but decided to hold off on that since Lamb has completed the Fresh Start program and is receiving treatment at Westwood Behavioral Health Center in Van Wert.

“Mr. Lamb, I hope you continue to follow your treatment program,” Judge Steele said. “Talking about your kids, you think you’re a good father, but if you’ve got drug addiction problems you’re not, and that’s not a good example for your kids.”

“Now you’ve got the opportunity to finish up your treatment, be employed, stay with your family,” Judge Steele added.

As part of his community control sentence, Lamb received 180 days of electronically monitored house arrest, a six-month driver’s license suspension and must undergo a substance abuse assessment and complete any programs recommended.

Also Wednesday, a Middle Point woman who admitted lying to protect her husband, was sentenced to three years of community control on a charge of perjury.

Victoria R. Roberts, 31, will also have to spend 60 days in jail as part of her community control sentence.

Roberts had been indicted in April after making false statements under oath during an investigation into sex offenses allegedly committed by her husband, Thomas Roberts.

Erik R. Byer, 26, of Van Wert, was placed on one year of community control on a charge of attempting to provide false information to purchase a firearm.

According to an investigation by the Van Wert County Sheriff’s Department, Byer false information to purchase a firearm knowing that he was not allowed to buy or possess firearms because of a prior criminal conviction.

Judge Steele did allow Byer’s father to reclaim the firearm from the sheriff’s department, which had confiscated the weapon.

Teresa M. Wood, 39, of Van Wert, was placed on community control on a charge of receiving stolen property, a first-degree misdemeanor offense.

Wood has already made restitution for the property taken.

Three people also entered pleas during arraignment hearings held Wednesday. They include:

Tyler J. Torrey, 18, of Convoy, entered a plea of not guilty to a charge of having sex with a minor, a felony of the fourth degree. He was released on an unsecured personal surety bond, with the condition he have no contact with the alleged victim. A pretrial conference was scheduled for 8 a.m. Wednesday, July 20.

Steven G. Ramsey, 25, of Butler, Pa., pleaded not guilty to a four-count indictment charging him with forgery, all felonies of the fifth degree. Ramsey was arrested by Van Wert police for passing counterfeit $20 bills during Fourth of July events in the city. He was ordered held on a $20,000 cash bond and a pretrial conference set for 8 a.m. July 20.

Bradley W. Sheets, 29, of Convoy, entered a not guilty plea to an indictment charging him with three counts of breaking and entering and one count of theft, all fifth-degree felonies, and two counts of theft, both first-degree misdemeanors. A $20,000 bond was set in the case, with 10 percent to be in cash, and a pretrial conference scheduled for 8 a.m. July 20. Sheriff’s deputies allege that Sheets broke into a local nursery business and stole items from several other area residents.