14 arraigned in VW Common Pleas Court

DAVE MOSIER/independent editor

A total of 14 people were arraigned on grand jury indictments on Wednesday in Van Wert County Common Pleas Court. All entered not guilty pleas to a variety of charges before Judge Martin Burchfield.

Those arraigned, and the charges filed against them, include the following:

Frederick Blessing, 20, of Van Wert, two counts of rape, both felonies of the first degree. A $100,000 bond was set in the case and a pretrial conference scheduled for 8 a.m. Wednesday, August 26.

Ezra Levy, 47, of Convoy, one count of rape, a first-degree felony. He was released on a personal surety bond, with the stipulation he have no contact with the alleged victim in the case. A pretrial conference was set for 8 a.m. August 26.

Aaron Livingston, 20, of Celina, four counts of vehicular assault, each a felony of the third degree. He was released on a surety bond, with the condition that he not operate any vehicle and obey a curfew of 9 p.m., or 30 minutes after his work shift ends. He will appear for a pretrial conference at 8 a.m. August 26.

Joshua McGinnis, 33, of Delphos, endangering children, a felony of the third degree. He was released on a surety bond, with the condition that he follows all Van Wert County Juvenile Court orders regarding his children. A pretrial conference was scheduled for 8 a.m. August 26.

Ronald McNeal, 31, of Van Wert, failure to register as a sex offender, a felony of the third degree. McNeal was ordered held on a $10,000 cash or commercial surety bond and he will appear for a pretrial conference at 8 a.m. Wednesday, August 19.

John Swanner, 64, of Winslow, Arkansas, one count of having a weapon under disability, a felony of the third degree; two counts of aggravated menacing, each a first-degree misdemeanor; and one count of receiving stolen property, a felony of the fourth degree. He was ordered held on a $100,000 cash or commercial surety bond and a pretrial conference was set for 8 a.m. August 19.

Kory Stewart, 37, of Van Wert, one count of illegal cultivation of marijuana, a felony of the third degree. He was released on a surety bond and will appear for a pretrial conference at 8 a.m. August 26.

Jose Sanchez, 36, of Van Wert, one count of domestic violence, a third-degree felony offense. He was ordered held on a $50,000 bond and a pretrial conference was scheduled for 8 a.m. August 19.

Brandi Stump, 37, of Van Wert, one count of theft, a felony of the fifth degree. She was released on a surety bond and will appear for a pretrial conference at 8 a.m. August 26.

Drew Kenny, 22, of Van Wert, one count each of possession of cocaine, and possession of heroin, both felonies of the fifth degree. He was released on a surety bond and will appear for a pretrial conference at 8 a.m. August 19.

Zach Craig, 36, of Van Wert, one count of possession of cocaine, a fifth-degree felony, with the added specification that he used a 1998 Oldsmobile minivan in the commission of the crime. A $10,000 cash bond was set in the case and a pretrial conference scheduled for 8 a.m. August 19.

Tristan Boaz, 23, of Van Wert, one count of possession of heroin, a felony of the fifth degree. She was released on a surety bond, and a pretrial conference was set for 8 a.m. August 19.

Kenneth Lewis, 42, of Oakwood, two counts of theft from a protected person, both felonies of the third degree. He was released on a surety bond, with the stipulation he have no contact with the alleged victim, and will appear for a pretrial conference at 8 a.m. August 26.

David Seibert, 22, of Van Wert, one count of corrupting another with drugs, a fourth-degree felony. A pretrial conference was scheduled for 8 a.m. August 26.

A Delphos man was also sentenced to prison on Wednesday.

Lee Hummer, 27, was sentenced by Probate-Juvenile Court Judge Kevin Taylor to 15 months in prison after he refused to serve up to six months in the Western Ohio Regional Treatment and Habilitation (WORTH) Center in Lima as part of a five-year community control term. Judge Taylor gave Hummer credit for 60 days already served.

Also Wednesday, two people appeared in court for bond violation hearings.

Fernando Juarez, 37, no address listed, admitted to violating his probation by failing to report for a pretrial conference. He was ordered held on a $10,000 cash bond and will appear for a pretrial conference at 8 a.m. August 19.

Brittney Pessefall, 18, of Van Wert, admitted to violating her bond by being arrested for shoplifting. A $1,000 cash bond was set in the case and a new pretrial conference will be scheduled following an evaluation.

In addition, Stacy Young, 38, of Van Wert, was resentenced to three years of community control, with an additional 45 days in jail, after she admitted to violating her probation by testing positive for drugs.