1 sent to prison, 7 arraigned in CP Court

DAVE MOSIER/independent editor

One person was sent to prison for trafficking in heroin, while seven others were arraigned in Van Wert County Common Pleas Court on indictments handed down during the November session of the county grand jury. Arraignments were heard a day early because of the Veterans Day holiday on Wednesday.

Drew Kenny, 22, of Van Wert, was sentenced to 16 months in prison on a charge of trafficking in heroin, a felony of the fourth degree. Judge Martin Burchfield gave Kenny credit for 57 days already served.

A Van Wert man indicted on multiple charges was one of seven people arraigned on Tuesday.

Joseph Mohr Jr., 39, entered not guilty pleas to one count of felonious assault, a second-degree felony; two counts of assault, both felonies of the fourth degree; a third-degree felony charge of possession of heroin; and one count each of possession of cocaine, a felony of the fourth degree; and possession of drugs, a fifth-degree felony offense.

The three drug counts each include a specification that Mohr used $3,600 in cash in the commission of the offenses. Judge Burchfield set a $500,000 cash bond in the case and scheduled a pretrial conference for 8 a.m. Wednesday, November 18.

Allen Kline, 25, of Van Wert, pleaded not guilty to a charge of aggravated possession of drugs, a felony of the fifth degree. He was released on a personal surety bond and will appear for a pretrial conference at 8 a.m. November 18.

Chancellor Nelson, 20, of Fort Wayne, Indiana, and Gabriel Palacios, 20, of Van Wert, both pleaded not guilty to third-degree felony charges of possession of marijuana. Palacios’ charge also includes a specification that he used $1,400 in cash in commission of the offense. Both men were released on surety bonds and pretrial conferences scheduled for 8 a.m. November 18.

Both Nelson and Palacios were arrested at a house on South Shannon Street then under surveillance as a possible drop-off site for packages of drugs. Found inside the house when the pair was arrested was 6.8 pounds of marijuana, valued at approximately $15,000, the $1,400 in cash, two cell phones, and drug paraphernalia.

Drew Dembickie, 22, of Paulding, entered a not guilty plea to one count of possession of cocaine, a fifth-degree felony. He was released on a surety bond and will appear in court for a pretrial conference at 8 a.m. November 18.

Kierstin Pollock, 24, of Convoy, pleaded not guilty to one count of possession of heroin, a felony of the fifth degree. She was released on a surety bond and will appear for a pretrial conference at 8 a.m. November 18.

Gary VanMetre, 52, of Van Wert, entered a not guilty plea to a charge of illegal cultivation of marijuana, a third-degree felony offense. He was released on a surety bond and a pretrial conference set for 8 a.m. November 18.

Two hearings were also held so that defendants could change their pleas.

Kitti Johnson, 28, of Convoy, changer her plea to guilty to a charge of theft, a fifth-degree felony. One count of passing bad checks was dismissed in exchange for her guilty plea. Johnson then requested, and was granted, treatment in lieu of conviction, and her case was stayed until she successfully completes a substance abuse treatment program.

Alec Thomas, 31, of Convoy, entered a guilty plea to a charge of possession of heroin, a felony of the fifth degree. He also requested, and was granted, treatment in lieu of conviction.