2 wind turbine site vandals plead guilty

From court reports

Two of the three individuals indicted for vandalizing a crane, diesel powered lighting equipment and other items at a wind turbine construction site in July of this year that resulted in nearly $500,000 damage to the equipment, entered pleas of guilty after negotiations with prosecutors.

Kyle J. Beech, 21, of Van Wert, and Dustin E. Gamble, 20, of Haviland, both entered guilty pleas to vandalism, a felony of the fifth degree. Both admitted to causing damage to the portable diesel lighting equipment, which had a value of more than $5,000 but less than $100,000.

Judge Steele ordered a pre-sentence investigation and scheduled sentencing for 9 a.m. Wednesday, December 14.  A third man is reportedly still being sought in connection with the vandalism.

Also Wednesday, seven individuals indicted by the Van Wert County Grand Jury that met last week were arraigned before Judge Charles D. Steele.

Robert J. Fishbein, 48, Lima, charged with intimidation of a witness, a felony of the third degree, entered a not guilty plea and  was ordered held on $150,000 bond, 10 percent of that amount to be paid in cash, along with a $5,000 unsecured personal surety bond.  A pretrial conference is scheduled for 8 a.m. Wednesday, November 9.

Larry R. Brown, 63, Delphos, entered a not guilty plea to a charge of assault of a police officer, a felony of the fourth degree. He was released on a $5,000 unsecured personal surety bond, with a pretrial conference scheduled for 8 a.m. November 9.

Thomas E. Stocklin Jr., 54, Delphos, pleaded not guilty to a charge of burglary, a felony of the third degree, and theft from an elderly person, a felony of the fifth degree. He was ordered held on a $10,000 cash bond and a pretrial conference was scheduled for 8 a.m. Wednesday, October 26.

Sean  Smith, 26, Van Wert, entered a plea of not guilty to one count of endangering children, a felony of the second degree, and was ordered held on a $15,000 bond, with 10 percent of that amount to be paid in cash. A pretrial conference has been scheduled for 8 a.m. October 26..

Nicholas Bendele, 28, Van Wert, pleaded not guilty to an indictment charging him with misuse of credit cards and theft, both fifth degree felony offenses. No bond was set because Bendele is currently serving a prison term.  A pretrial conference has been scheduled for 8 a.m. October 26.

Benjamin Hurley, 32, Van Wert, entered a plea of not guilty to a charge of theft, a felony of the fifth degree. He also had no bond set as he is presently being held on a probation violation. A pretrial conference will be held at 8 a.m. October 26.

Donald C. Sharp, 52, Van Wert, pleaded not guilty to one count of burglary, a felony of the fourth degree. He was released on a $5,000 unsecured personal surety bond and a pretrial conference scheduled for 8 a.m. November 9.

A Fort Wayne, Ind., woman who was part of a cell phone theft ring will be sent to prison for the remainder of her 12-month sentence after she admitted to violating her probation. Judge Steele gave Iesha Warfield credit for 162 days already served awaiting final disposition of the case.

in other Common Pleas Court news:

Kara Parsons of Van Wert admitted to violating her community control and was resentenced to three years of community control and ordered to spend 60 days in jail.

Garrett Dienstburger of Delphos, was found to have violating the conditions of his bond by drinking alcohol. His bond was modified to include electronically monitored house arrest. He will be sentenced at 9 a.m. Wednesday, November 2.

Brandon Hershey, 24, of Van Wert, changed his plea to guilty to a charge of unlawful sexual conduct with a minor, a felony of the fourth degree. Hershey admitted having sex with a minor over the age of 13, but younger than 16.

He faces up to 18 months in prison and would be classified as a Tier 1 sex offender, which would require that he register in the county where he works and lives for the next 15 years.

Michael Wooten, 28, of Van Wert, pleaded guilty to a charge of theft from an elderly person, a fifth-degree felony. Judge Steele ordered a presentence investigation and scheduled sentencing for 9 a.m. December 14.

Robert G. Platt, 34, of Van Wert, was sentenced to 30 days in the Van Wert County Correctional Facility on a charge of attempted possession of drugs, a first-degree misdemeanor.

Ronald T. Haiber, 50, of Lima, pleaded guilty to a charge of violating a protection order, a fifth-degree felony. A presentence investigation was ordered and sentencing set for 9 a.m. December 14.