Ramblers’ Roost robber gets prison term

DAVE MOSIER/independent editor

Four people were sentenced, including a man convicted of participating in the Rambler’s Roost robbery in 2013, during hearings held Wednesday in Van Wert County Common Pleas Court.

James Reynolds, 35, of Delphos, was given 36 months in prison on a charge of attempted complicity to robbery, a felony of the third degree. Retired Judge Charles D. Steele also credited Reynolds with 34 days served and ordered him to pay restitution to the Rambler’s Roost.

Reynolds and Trent Webster were both given prison terms for their involvement in the robbery, which took place December 15, 2013. Webster was given concurrent sentences of 18 and 24 months in the case, as well as credit for 163 days already served.

Prior to his sentencing, Reynolds had requested that he be allowed to withdraw his guilty plea to the charge against him, a request denied by Judge Steele.

Also sentenced on Wednesday were the following:

Lewis Buckner Sr., 57, of Van Wert, was given 60 months in prison on a charge of gross sexual imposition, with credit for 31 days already served. Buckner was also classified as a Tier 2 sex offender, meaning he must register with the nearest sheriff’s office every 180 days for the next 25 years.

Tiffany Dearing, 30, of Van Wert, was given a year of community control on a first-degree misdemeanor charge of possession of drugs. Her driver’s license was also suspended for six months.

Wayne Toth, 51, of Elyria, was given three years of community control on a charge of attempted grand theft, a fifth-degree felony. He must also make restitution totaling $5,592.65 to B & D Equipment.

Also Wednesday, William Crutchfield, 42, of Van Wert, was returned to prison for three years after he was found to have violated his probation by being terminated from the Western Ohio Regional Treatment and Habilitation (WORTH) Center in Lima before successfully completing the program there. He was given credit for 754 days already served.

Quinton Schmenk, 32, of Van Wert, appeared for a hearing on a bond violation, but the hearing was continued until Friday until additional information is available in the case.

Five people also changed their pleas to guilty during hearings in Common Pleas Court. They include:

Michael Keipper, 25, of Van Wert, pleaded guilty to one count each of attempted murder and aggravated burglary, both first-degree felonies, and two counts of felonious assault, both felonies of the second degree. A fifth count of felonious assault was dismissed in exchange for his guilty plea.

A presentence investigation was ordered and sentencing set for 9 a.m. Wednesday, March 11.

Jerad Smith, 26, of Van Wert, entered a guilty plea to a charge of theft, a fifth-degree felony. A second theft count was dismissed in exchange for the guilty plea.

Judge Kevin Taylor ordered a presentence investigation and scheduled sentencing for 9 a.m. Wednesday, March 18.

Shay Ringwald, 26, of Middle Point, changed his plea to guilty to a charge of possession of heroin, a felony of the fifth degree. A presentence investigation was ordered and Ringwald will appear for sentencing at 9 a.m. March 18.

Jonathon Mattix, 27, of Van Wert, entered a guilty plea to a prosecutor’s bill of information charging him with failure to register as a sex offender, a fourth-degree felony offense. A presentence investigation was ordered by Judge Taylor, and sentencing scheduled for 9 a.m. March 18.

Countez Kelly, 22, of Lima, also pleaded guilty to an amended charge of attempted possession of cocaine, a felony of the fourth degree (reduced from possession of cocaine, a third-degree felony). A presentence investigation was ordered and sentencing set for 9 a.m. March 18.