Whisman sentenced to WORTH Center

DAVE MOSIER/independent editor

Three people appeared for probation or bond violations and another for a violation of a treatment in lieu of conviction program during hearings held Tuesday in Van Wert County Common Pleas Court.

Alexandra Whisman, 19, of Van Wert, was resentenced to three years of community control, including up to six months in the Western Ohio Regional Treatment and Habilitation (WORTH) Center in Lima, after she admitted failing a drug test while on community control.

Admitting he violated conditions of his surety bond was Joshua Rager, 28, of Van Wert, who also tested positive for drugs. He was ordered re-released on a surety bond until next pretrial conference.

Tasha Comment, 30, of Van Wert, also appeared for a probation violation hearing and admitted failing to report to probation, failing a drug test and failing to follow through with counseling. She was resentenced to community control, with the added specification that she serve 73 days in the county jail.

Zachary Brinkman, 25, of Middle Point, had his hearing on a charge he violated his treatment in lieu of conviction program continued for more research into whether the drugs he tested positive for were prescribed to him.

Also Tuesday, two people entered changes of pleas to charges during hearings in Common Pleas Court.

Thomas Hathaway, 28, of Grand Rapids, Mich., changed his plea to guilty to a charge of breaking and entering, a fifth-degree felony offense. A presentence investigation was ordered and sentencing scheduled for 9 a.m. Wednesday, July 31.

Darren Riggs, 42, of Van Wert, also pleaded guilty to an amended charge of attempting to corrupt another with drugs, a felony of the fifth degree.

He was previously charged with corrupting another with drugs, a fourth-degree felony offense, along with endangering children, a first-degree misdemeanor.

A presentencing investigation was also ordered for Riggs, who will appear for sentencing at 9 a.m. August 31.

Tracy Hartman, 38, of Van Wert, requested that he be excused from attending a deposition of a doctor in his pending case. He made the request, and signed a waiver in open court, to allow the deposition to be conducted without his presence.