Drug-related cases handled in CP Court

DAVE MOSIER/independent editor

A number of drug-related cases were on the docket Wednesday in Van Wert County Common Pleas Court.

First off, Delphos resident Nathan Carpenter entered a plea of not guilty to one count of possession of drugs, a fifth-degree felony, during an arraignment hearing on Thursday.

Judge Charles D. Steele released Carpenter on a personal surety bond and scheduled a pretrial conference for 8 a.m. Wednesday, July 18.

Also Wednesday, Tom Karnehm Jr., 56, of Van Wert, was given three years of community control, to include up to six months in the Western Ohio Regional Treatment and Habilitation (WORTH) Center in Lima, on two counts of trafficking in drugs, both fourth-degree felonies. Karnehm must also complete a drug assessment and any programs recommended and perform up to 200 hours of community service as part of his sentence.

His driver’s license was also suspended for six months.

Two people also changed their pleas to guilty on drug-related counts.

David Langenkamp, 22, of Convoy, entered a guilty plea to a charge of aggravated possession of drugs, a fifth-degree felony, and requested treatment in lieu of conviction. Judge Steele granted the request after noting that Langenkamp was eligible for the program. He will be under the supervision of the Adult Probation Department for a year while undergoing treatment.

Jerad Caldwell, 25, of Van Wert, changed his plea to guilty to one count of trafficking in drugs, a felony of the fifth degree. A second count of drug possession was dismissed in exchange for Caldwell’s guilty plea. A presentence investigation was ordered for Caldwell, who will be sentenced at 9 a.m. Wednesday, August 8.

Alonzo Munoz, 19, of Van Wert, admitted to violating his community control program by being terminated from the WORTH Center. He was resentenced to three years of community control and must serve an additional 30 days in jail before being resent to the WORTH Center to complete the program there. Judge Steele also gave him credit for six days already served prior to sentencing.

Two people were granted early release from prison during hearings held Wednesday.

Garrett Dienstberger, 27, of Delphos, was sentenced to three years of community control after being granted a judicial release from prison. He will also serve up to six months in the WORTH Center as part of his community control.

Kelly Matthieu, 46, of Kenton, was given five years of community control, to include 30 days in jail and up to six months in the WORTH Center, after Judge Steele granted him judicial release from prison. Under the terms of his community control, Matthieu cannot operate a motor vehicle and must also undergo a substance abuse assessment.

Two other defendants, Christopher Blue and Rachel Clark, waived their right to a speedy trial, allowing those trials to be scheduled after November 1, when renovations of the Common Pleas Courtroom are expected to be completed.