Strunkenburg gets jail, probation time

DAVE MOSIER/independent editor

Former Van Wert County dog warden Richard Strunkenburg, 38, was given jail time and community control after he pleaded guilty to charges he mistreated animals under his care at the County Humane Shelter.

Strunkenburg received three years of community control, including 90 days in jail, with work release, and 90 days of electronically monitored house arrest, from retired Judge Charles D. Steele on two counts of prohibitions concerning companion animals, each a felony of the fifth degree. A 12-month prison term was deferred pending his successful completion of his community control sentence.

Strunkenburg had been indicted by the county grand jury in September 2014 on four counts of prohibitions concerning companion animals, but two counts were dismissed as part of negotiations with the Van Wert County Prosecutor’s Office in exchange for his guilty plea to the remaining charges.

State sentencing guidelines prohibit prison time for first-time offenders charged with fourth- and fifth-degree felony offenses.

The sentencing ended a case that began last July 20 with complaints that animals under Strunkenburg’s care at the Humane Shelter were being mistreated. Van Wert County Sheriff Thomas Riggenbach, who was appointed to supervise Strunkenburg in August 2013, ordered an investigation into the complaint, and Paulding County Prosecutor Joseph R. Burkhard was appointed as a special prosecutor to consider whether charges should be filed against Strunkenburg.

Burkhard also represented the state during Tuesday’s proceedings, while Lima attorney William Kluge again represented Strunkenburg.

The Van Wert County Board of Commissioners later fired Strunkenburg following his indictment.

Also Tuesday, Ernie Teman, 40, of Delphos, changed his plea to guilty to a charge of theft, a first-degree misdemeanor (reduced from a fifth-degree felony during plea negotiations). Two other theft charges were also dismissed in exchange for his guilty plea.

Judge Steele ordered a presentence investigation in the case and will schedule sentencing in the near future.