3 get prison terms for violating probation

DAVE MOSIER/independent editor

Three people were given prison sentences for violating their probation during criminal cases heard Tuesday in Van Wert County Common Pleas Court.

Retired Judge Charles D. Steele sentenced Dallas Fortner, 20, of Mendon, to two years in prison after he was convicted of a felony offense in Mercer County, which was a violation of the terms of his probation. Judge Steele also gave Fortner credit for 512 days already served.

Grant Albright, 38, of Van Wert, admitted to violating his probation by refusing to be transferred to the Western Ohio Regional Treatment and Habilitation (WORTH) Center in Lima. He was given an 11-month prison term, with credit for 78 days already served.

Travis Potter, 28, of Celina, admitted to violating his probation by being terminated from the WORTH Center and was sentenced to 12 months in prison, with credit for 42 days already served.

Zachary Craig, 35, of Van Wert, admitted to violating his probation by testing positive for methamphetamines during a hearing on Tuesday. His case was continued for sentencing on Monday, July 20.

Three other people appeared in Common Pleas Court on Tuesday.

Justin Williams, 25, of Lima, pleaded not guilty to a charge of trafficking in cocaine, a felony of the fifth degree, during an arraignment hearing on Tuesday. No bond was set in the case, since Williams is currently incarcerated on unrelated charges. A pretrial conference was scheduled for July 20.

Levi Strawser, 24, of Fort Wayne, Indiana, changed his plea to guilty to charges of theft and forgery, both felonies of the fifth degree.

After entering guilty pleas, Strawser then requested, and was granted, treatment in lieu of conviction. His case was then stayed pending completion of a substance abuse treatment program.

Erica Hatfield, 29, of Middle Point, was given five years of community control on a charge of trafficking in heroin, a fifth-degree felony offense.

She must also participate in the drug court program and had her driver’s license suspended for six months.