Man given prison in CP Court on Thursday

Van Wert independent

A Van Wert man given a prison sentence for violating his community control was one of two people who appeared for hearings Thursday in Van Wert County Common Pleas Court.

Dezmond Bywaters, 22, admitted violating his probation by being terminated prematurely from the Western Ohio Regional Treatment and Habilitation (WORTH) Center, a substance abuse treatment program based in Lima.

Judge Charles D. Steele sentenced Bywaters to 12 months in prison, while also giving him credit for 140 days already served.

Also Thursday, Dennis Gallaspie, 65, of Lima, entered a not guilty plea to one count of trafficking in marijuana, a felony of the fifth degree, during his arraignment hearing in Common Pleas Court.

A specification was also included in the case that Gallaspie used a 2006 Honda Civic and $240 in cash in the commission of the felony offense.

The Lima man was released on a personal surety bond and a pretrial conference scheduled for 9 a.m. Wednesday, March 12.