Probation violations return man to prison

DAVE MOSIER/independent editor

A Van Wert man found guilty of violating his probation was sent back to prison on Wednesday in Van Wert County Common Pleas Court.

Andrew Thomas, 29, of Van Wert, received a total of three years in prison – a 12-month sentence served consecutively to a two-year prison term – but also was given for credit by Judge Charles D. Steele for 651 days already served in prison prior to receiving probation.

Thomas, who was originally sentenced and served nearly two years in prison on burglary and theft charges, violated his probation by testing positive for opiates and THC, not reporting to his probation officer as required and failure to pay court costs.

Another city man, Michael A. Coombs, 27, wept as Judge Steele gave him prison time for illegal use of another person’s food stamp card while that person was in jail.

Although Coombs begged to be allowed to stay with his family, the judge gave him a six-month prison sentence on the recommendation of Assistant County Prosecutor Kevin Taylor on the food stamp fraud charge, citing his extensive criminal record going back to 1996.

Judge Steele also ordered Coombs to make restitution in the amount of $1,500 to the Van Wert County Job and Family Services Department for the food stamps he used illegally.

A man accused of passing counterfeit $20 bills during the Old Fashioned Farmers Days event in Van Wert pleaded no contest to a four-count indictment charging him with forgery, all fifth-degree felony counts.

Steven G. Ramsay, 25, of Butler, Pa., was found guilty by Judge Steele on the multi-count indictment. A presentence investigation was ordered in the case and sentencing scheduled for 9 a.m. Wednesday, September 21.

Dennis R. McGinnis, 28, of Lima, changed his plea to guilty to a charge of theft, a fifth-degree felony offense. Van Wert police said McGinnis allegedly stole computers valued at $1,792 from the Van Wert Walmart Superstore on two separate occasions.

The Lima man also faces charged in Mercer and Putnam counties related to thefts in those two counties.

Alisha L. Elder, 32, of Van Wert, entered a guilty plea to a charge of theft from an elderly person, a fifth-degree felony.

The incidents involved in the indictment occurred sometime between November 13, and December 2, 2010. The prosecutor also recommended that Elder make restitution in the amount of $791.35 to the victim in the case. Sentencing is scheduled for September 21 at 9 a.m.

Tonya Moore, 32, of Columbus, pleaded guilty to three counts of forgery, all fifth-degree felonies, and one count of identity theft, a fourth-degree felony.

Moore was arrested on the forgery charges, with the incidents taking place in late November 2010, and is currently incarcerated in the Marysville prison on similar charges for incidents that occurred in November 2010.

Eight people were also arraigned on Wednesday,

James Leiendecker, 22, of Venedocia, pleaded not guilty to a charge of receiving stolen property, a felony of the fourth degree. He was released on a personal surety bond and a pretrial conference set for 8 a.m. Wednesday, August 17.

Ronny L. Black, 52, of Delphos, entered a not guilty plea to a charge of domestic violence, a fourth-degree felony offense. He was released on a personal surety bond, with the condition he have no contact with the alleged victim in the case, and a pretrial conference was scheduled for 8 a.m. August 17.

Gabrial G. Spradlin, 26, of Rockford, pleaded not guilty to a charge of failing to comply with an order of a police officer (eluding and fleeing), a third-degree felony offense. He was released on a personal surety bond and a pretrial hearing scheduled for 8 a.m. August 17.

James D. Ramirez, 26, of Van Wert, entered a not guilty plea to a charge of burglary, a fourth-degree felony offense. He was released on personal surety bond and a pretrial conference set for 8 a.m. August 17.

Robert G. Platt Jr., 34, of Van Wert, pleaded not guilty to two counts of possession of drugs, both fifth-degree felonies, and was released on a personal surety bond. A pretrial conference was scheduled for 8 a.m. August 17.

Jacob R. Strick, 25, of Van Wert, entered a plea of not guilty to a charge of complicity to unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, a first-degree misdemeanor. Strick was released on a personal surety bond and a pretrial conference was set for 8 a.m. August 17.

Donald E. Robar, 18, of Van Wert, pleaded not guilty to a charge of theft from an elderly person, a fourth-degree felony offense. He was released on a personal surety bond and a pretrial conference scheduled for 8 a.m. August 18.

Brandon Hershey, 23, of Van Wert, entered a not guilty plea to a charge of unlawful sexual conduct with a minor, a felony of the fourth degree. Hershey was ordered held without bond, as he is presently in jail awaiting sentencing on a drug-related charge, and a pretrial conference scheduled for 8 a.m. August 17.