Man gets prison term for area break-ins

DAVE MOSIER/independent editor

A Mendon man was given a total of five years in prison on a multi-count indictment related to burglaries at mostly agribusiness companies in the area, while seven people, six of whom were arrested last Friday in a drug operation in Delphos, were arraigned in Van Wert County Common Pleas Court on Wednesday.

Douglas N. Fonner, 27, was sentenced to five consecutive 12-month prison terms and four 12-month sentences to run concurrently to the first five on charges of breaking and entering, theft and safecracking. Fonner was arrested by the Van Wert County Sheriff’s Department in connection with break-ins at the offices of Mercer Landmark in Elgin and Ohio City, Pure Line Foods in Middle Point and other businesses.

The sentences are also to run concurrently to a 58-month prison term Fonner is presently serving for similar crimes that took place in Mercer County, while charges are also outstanding in other area counties.

In addition to the prison sentences, Fonner was also ordered to pay restitution of nearly $18,000 to the victims in the case.

Six people indicted on drug trafficking and related charges were arraigned Wednesday. They include:

• Chad Neumann, 27, of Delphos, entered not guilty pleas to three counts of trafficking in drugs and one count of possession of drugs. Assistant County Prosecutor Martin Burchfield sought a cash bond because of Neuman’s past criminal record and the fact that charges are also pending in other counties. Judge Charles D. Steele ordered Neuman held on a $50,000 cash bond, with 10 percent to be paid in cash, and scheduled a pretrial conference for 8 a.m. Tuesday, April 3.

• Steve Diltz, 27, of Delphos, pleaded not guilty to a fifth-degree felony charge of trafficking in drugs. The prosecutor’s office again asked for a cash bond, since Diltz has several drug-related charges pending in other counties. Judge Steele set a $10,000 cash bond, of which 10 percent must be paid in cash, and scheduled a pretrial conference for 8 a.m. April 3.
• Phillip Cross, 23, of Delphos, pleaded not guilty to a two-count indictment charging him with trafficking in drugs, both counts felonies of the fifth degree. Cross, who is currently being held in the Auglaize County Jail on other charges and is to be released on April 2, was also ordered held on a $10,000 bond, with 10 percent of that amount to be paid in cash, when his Auglaize County term is up. A pretrial conference was set for 8 a.m. Wednesday, April 18.
• Kristina Diltz, 32, of Van Wert, entered a not guilty plea to a charge of trafficking in drugs, a fourth-degree felony. She was released on an unsecured personal surety bond and a pretrial conference was scheduled for 8 a.m. April 18.
• Keri L. Hines, 28, of Delphos, pleaded not guilty to a two-count indictment charging her with trafficking in drugs. One count is a fourth-degree felony and the other a felony of the fifth degree. Hine was released on a personal surety bond and a pretrial conference was set for 8 a.m. April 18.
• Nathaniel Diltz, 28, of Delphos, entered a not guilty plea to a fifth-degree felony count of trafficking in drugs. He was released on a personal surety bond and a pretrial conference set for 8 a.m. April 18.

A seven person, Daniel J. Everette, 36, of Dayton, pleaded not guilty to an indictment charging him with three counts of theft, all fifth-degree felonies. Judge Steele set no bond in the case since Everette is currently serving time in prison on charges originating in Montgomery County. A pretrial conference was scheduled for 8 a.m. Thursday, March 22.

In other hearings held Wednesday, Kelly G. Matthieu of Kenton was given an 18-month prison term on a charge of driving while under the influence.

Matthieu was originally sentenced to community control and was to spend time at the Western Ohio Regional Treatment and Habilitation (WORTH) Center in Lima, but couldn’t qualify for that treatment facility because of health problems.

Judge Steele said he would recommend that Matthieu be placed in the Intensive Prison Program, a substance abuse treatment program similar to the WORTH Center, while in prison, and noted Matthieu could be released early from prison if he successfully completes that program.

Shane Williams, 23, of Van Wert, was found guilty of violating his probation by failing to report to his probation officer, failing to pay court costs and not completing an assessment program as ordered. He was sentenced to serve his original 180-day sentence on the first-degree misdemeanor charge and will also have to pay a fine of $1,000.

Sonya M. Foster, 33, of Maumee, was placed on three years of community control after successfully completing a drug rehabilitation program. Foster had originally been charged with helping two Delphos men steal a refrigerator.

Judge Steele also suspended her driver’s license for six months as part of her sentence.

Andrew Donald James Snyder, 18, of Van Wert, changed his plea to guilty to a first-degree misdemeanor charge of theft. Snyder was charged with stealing items from the local Walmart Supercenter while an employee of the store. As part of a plea agreement, Snyder also agreed to pay $1,000 in restitution to Walmart. A presentence investigation was ordered in the case and sentencing scheduled for 9 a.m. April 18.

Christina M. McClure, 22, of Van Wert, changed her plea to guilty to a charge of forgery, a fifth-degree felony. According to the county prosecutor’s office, McClure allegedly stole and forged a number of checks belonging to a relative in October and November 2011.

Judge Steele also granted her request for treatment in lieu of conviction.

Jennifer R. Burk of Van Wert, admitted to violating her treatment in lieu of conviction program by failing to complete the rehabilitation program.

Judge Steele ordered a presentence investigation and set sentencing for 9 a.m. Wednesday, May 2.