Robbery suspect gets prison sentence

DAVE MOSIER/independent editor

A local man charged in connection with a robbery at Klosterman’s Pizza was given nearly five years in prison after changing his plea to guilty as part of a plea negotiation.

Kyle Caldwell, 33, of Van Wert, entered a plea of guilty to a charge of robbery, a felony of the third degree, during a hearing held Wednesday in Van Wert County Common Pleas Court. The charge was downgraded from aggravated robbery, a first-degree felony, as part of a plea negotiation with the County Prosecutor’s Office.

After accepting Caldwell’s guilty plea, Judge Charles D. Steele immediately sentenced him to 36 months in prison, the maximum sentence for a felony of the third degree, plus an additional 663 days for post-release control time that was still in effect from his last prison sentence. The post-release control time will run consecutively to the prison term.

The judge remanded Caldwell to the Van Wert County Correctional Facility to await transport to prison.

In addition to Caldwell’s plea and sentencing, 10 people were arraigned on indictments handed down last Friday by the Van Wert County Grand Jury. All 10 entered pleas of not guilty and will appear for pretrial conferences at 8 a.m. Wednesday, March 13. Those arraigned include:

Michael Whisman, 22, of Van Wert, trafficking in drugs, a fifth-degree felony.

Nathan Wappelhorst, 31, of Van Wert, two counts of possession of drugs, each a felony of the fifth degree.

Chris Spaeth, 36, of Sabina, nonsupport of dependents, a fifth-degree felony.

Dustin Hasch, 24, of Paulding, nonsupport of dependents, a felony of the fifth degree.

John McDermitt, 20, of Celina, importuning, a fifth-degree felony.

Rodney Pulfer, 31, of Convoy, possession of drugs, a felony of the fifth degree.

Chad Caldwell, 35, of Van Wert, domestic violence, a fourth-degree felony.

Tom Waxler, 36, of Defiance, vandalism, a felony of the fifth degree.

Alexandra Whisman, 19, of Van Wert, possession of drugs, a fifth-degree felony.

Ashley Sterling, 28, of Delphos, nonsupport of dependents, a felony of the fifth degree.

Also Wednesday, William Crutchfield, 40, of Van Wert, was found competent to stand trial on charges of felonious assault and having weapons under disability, based on a report from Court Diagnostics of Toledo.

Four people were also sentenced on Wednesday on a variety of charges. They include:

• Brittnie Garwood, 24, of Van Wert, was given a 12-month prison term on each of two counts of trafficking in drugs, each a felony of the fifth degree. The sentences are to run concurrently. Judge Steele gave her credit for 39 days already served.
• Tiffany Wolford, 22, of Van Wert, was sentenced to three years of community control, including up to six months at the Western Ohio Regional Treatment and Habilitation (WORTH) Center in Lima, on a fifth-degree felony count of possession of drugs. Her driver’s license was also suspended for a year.
• Zach Baker, 26, of Van Wert, was given three years of community control, including up to six months in the WORTH Center and a six-month driver’s license suspension, on a charge of possession of drugs, also a fifth-degree felony offense.
• Gary Stephens, 55, of Convoy, was sentenced to three years of community control, including 60 days in jail, on a charge of breaking and entering, a felony of the fifth degree. He must also make restitution of $500 each to two victims.

Three other people entered changes of pleas on Wednesday. They include:

• Nicholas Devecchio, 27, of Van Wert, who changed his plea to guilty to two counts of trafficking in heroin, which were reduced from fourth-degree felonies to felonies of the fifth degree as part of a plea negotiation with the Prosecutor’s Office. He then requested, and was granted, treatment in lieu of conviction.
• Sam Geckle, 44, of Convoy, pleaded guilty to a charge of attempted having weapons under disability, a felony of the fourth degree, which was reduced from a third-degree felony count of having weapons under disability. A presentence investigation was ordered and sentencing scheduled for 9 a.m. Wednesday, April 17.
• Jesse Stemen, 24, of Van Wert, entered a guilty plea to a charge of possession of drugs, a felony of the fifth degree. A presentence investigation was ordered and sentencing set for 9 a.m. April 17.