Robbery suspect arraigned in CP Court

DAVE MOSIER/independent editor

A man charged in connection with the Rambler’s Roose robbery was arraigned Wednesday on counts of robbery, a felony of the second degree; grand theft, a fourth-degree felony; and possession of cocaine, a felony of the fifth degree.

Trent Webster, 49, of Van Wert, pleaded not guilty to the charges and was ordered held on a $250,000 cash bond by Van Wert County Common Pleas Judge Charles D. Steele.

Webster and James R. Reynolds, 34, of Fort Jennings, were arrested December 16 for a robbery that occurred a day earlier at the Ramblers Roost truck stop and restaurant on Lincoln Highway.

Reynolds was also sought on a Paulding County warrant for a robbery that occurred at Ross’s Gas Station in Grover Hill.

Five other people were arraigned in Common Pleas Court on Wednesday. They include:

• David Leaser, 37, of Van Wert, entered a not guilty plea to a two-count indictment for possession of heroin, a fourth degree felony, and operating a vehicle while impaired with drugs, a misdemeanor of the first degree. He was released on a personal surety bond and will appear for a pretrial conference at 8 a.m. Wednesday, February 12.
• Angela Kennedy, 28, of Van Wert, pleaded not guilty to two counts of trafficking in marijuana, both fifth-degree felonies. She was released on a personal surety bond and will appear for a pretrial conference at 8 a.m. February 12.
• Jeremiah Miller, 19, of Ohio City, entered a plea of not guilty to two counts of trafficking in LSD, each a felony of the fourth degree, and one count of possession of LSD, a third-degree felony. He was released on a surety bond and will appear for a pretrial conference at 8 a.m. Wednesday, February 5.
• Michael Speakman, 22, of Willshire, pleaded not guilty to a charge of telecommunications fraud, a felony of the fifth degree. He was released on a surety bond and will appear for a pretrial conference at 8 a.m. February 5.
• Anthony Oliver, 18, of Van Wert, entered a not guilty plea to three counts of breaking and entering and one count of complicity to breaking and entering, all felonies of the fifth degree. He was released on a surety bond and will appear in court for a pretrial conference at 8 a.m. February 5.

Three people were also given community control sentences during hearings held Wednesday in Common Pleas Court. They include:

• Jami Renner, 30, of Willshire, was given one year of community control on a charge of using weapons while intoxicated, a first-degree misdemeanor. She was also fined $1,000, with $750 of that suspended if she successfully completes her community control program.
• Bethany Wreath, 24, of Van Wert, was given three years of community control on charges of trafficking in drugs, a fourth-degree felony, and trafficking in counterfeit substances, a felony of the fifth degree. Her driver’s license was also suspended for six months.
• Korey Briggs, 29, of Fort Jennings, was sentenced three years of community control, including up to six months in the Western Ohio Regional Treatment and Habilitation (WORTH) Center in Lima, on a charge of trafficking in drugs, a felony of the fourth degree. His driver’s license was also suspended for six months.

Three people also appeared on probation and bond violations on Wednesday. They include:

• Cyle Black, 27, of Van Wert, was given 18 months in prison, with 379 days credit, after he admitted to violating his community control program by failing to report to probation and failure to attend counseling at Westwood Behavioral Health Center in Van Wert. Judge Steele imposed two consecutive nine-month prison terms previously handed down.
• Stacy Young, 37, of Van Wert, admitted to violating her bond by failing to report to probation. She was re-released on a surety bond, with sentencing set for 9 a.m. February 5.
• Zachary Brinkman, 25, of Middle Point, admitted to violating his treatment in lieu of conviction program by refusing to take a drug test. He refused a surety bond and was remanded to jail, while Judge Steele ordered a presentence investigation and scheduled sentencing for 9 a.m. Wednesday, March 5.

Three people also entered changes of plea during hearings Wednesday in Common Pleas Court. They include:

• Jacquelyn Forthman, 25, of Ohio City, changed her plea to guilty on a charge of trafficking in heroin, a felony of the fifth degree. Judge Steele then granted her request for treatment in lieu of conviction and her case was stayed until she successfully completes a substance abuse treatment program.
• Shane Carroll, 23, of Convoy, changed his plea to guilty to a charge of unlawful sexual conduct with a minor, a felony of the fourth degree. He was released on a personal surety bond and a presentence investigation was ordered in the case. He will appear for sentencing at 9 a.m. March 5.
• James E. Steele IV, 22, of Delphos, changed his plea to guilty to three counts of theft, each a felony of the fifth degree. He then requested, and was granted, treatment in lieu of conviction. He was also ordered to pay restitution to his victims.

Also Wednesday, Alisha Stemen, 21, of Van Wert, was granted a request for judicial release from prison during a hearing held in Common Pleas Court. She was placed on three years of community control.

Cai Evans, 19, of Van Wert, admitted to violating his bond by failing to take a drug test. He was ordered held on a $10,000 bond, with 10 percent of that in cash. He also changed his plea to a charge of possession of heroin, a felony of the fifth degree, and a second similar count was dismissed. Sentencing was scheduled for 9 a.m. Wednesday, February 26.