Accused rapist held on $200,000 bond

DAVE MOSIER/independent editor

A city man charged with having sex with a child under the age of 13 was ordered held on a $200,000 cash bond during his initial appearance in Van Wert Municipal Court on Wednesday afternoon.

George J. Tromblay, 55, of 628 State St., appeared before Judge Jill Leatherman on Wednesday on a charge of rape, a first-degree felony offense, for an incident that allegedly involves someone under the age of 13.

The charge is a result of an investigation by the Van Wert Police Department and carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $20,000.

Judge Leatherman appointed local attorney Ryan Warnecke to represent Tromblay, who is currently unemployed and unable to hire legal representation on his own. The defendant, who mostly hung his head and had to be prompted by the judge to answer clearly, also waived his right to a preliminary hearing and was bound over to the Van Wert County Grand Jury.

The grand jury would likely hear the case during its next session, which is scheduled for the first Friday in July, unless a special session is scheduled to hear the case.

Tromblay was arrested early this week on the charge, which does not include a specification that force was used in commission of the offense.

He will remain in the Van Wert County Correctional Facility at least until the grand jury hears his case and makes a determination of whether to indict him on the rape charge, as well as any possible additional charges that may be brought forward by the County Prosecutor’s Office.