7 arraigned on felony counts in CP Court

DAVE MOSIER/independent editor

A convicted sex offender who failed to report as required was one of seven people arraigned Wednesday in Van Wert County Common Pleas Court.

Jordan Vickery, 27, of Van Wert, pleaded not guilty to a charge of failing to register as a sex offender, a third-degree felony offense. If found guilty, Vickery could face up to five years in prison and a maximum fine of $10,000.

Judge Charles D. Steele ordered Vickery released on a $5,000 unsecured personal surety bond, but also required he be placed on electronically monitored house arrest. A pretrial conference was scheduled for 8 a.m. Wednesday, May 18.

Others arraigned on Wednesday include the following:

Rory J. Bigelow, 28, of Ohio City, entered a not guilty plea to one count of theft, a fifth-degree felony. Bigelow was charged by Ohio City police with stealing utility services in that village for more than a year. He was released on a personal surety bond and a pretrial conference set for 8 a.m. May 18.

Randall D. Keller, 51, of Van Wert, pleaded not guilty to three counts of possession of drugs, all felonies of the fifth-degree.  He was released on a personal surety bond and a pretrial conference scheduled for 8 a.m. May 18.

Eric D. Bowers, 24, of Van Wert, entered a plea of not guilty to a charge of possession of drugs (heroin), a fifth-degree felony offense. He was released on a personal surety bond and a pretrial conference set for 8 a.m.  May 18.

Eddy P. Blossom, 25, of Willshire, pleaded not guilty to one count of driving under the influence, a fourth-degree felony. Blossom was released on a personal surety bond, with the added stipulation that he be placed on electronically monitored house arrest, and a pretrial conference was scheduled for 8 a.m. May 18.

Skyler Leugers, 20, of Celina, entered a not guilty plea to a three-count indictment charging him with grand theft-auto, receiving stolen property and forgery. The judge ruled that Leugers could be released on bond if the probation department determines he has a permanent residential address. A pretrial hearing was set for 8 a.m. May 18.

Matthew P. Foehl, 25, of Van Wert, pleaded not guilty to one count of possession of drugs, also a fifth-degree felony. He was released on a personal surety bond and a pretrial conference scheduled for 8 a.m. May 18.

Also Wednesday, several people were sentenced or entered guilty pleas.

A tearful Amber Baker, 21, of Van Wert, was sentenced to three years of community control and an immediate 30-day jail sentence by Judge Steele on a charge of trafficking in drugs (heroin), a fifth-degree felony offense. Baker also had her driver’s license suspended for six months and her vehicle was ordered forfeited to the Van Wert Police Department because it was used in the commission of the drug trafficking offense. She was also ordered not to have any contact with Jordan Black.

Zach Baker, 24, of Van Wert, also received a three-year community control sentence, with the added stipulation he spend up to six months in the Western Ohio Regional Treatment and Habilitation (WORTH) Center in Lima. He was also given a six-month driver’s license suspension and must undergo a substance abuse assessment.

Joshua Minyoung, 27, of Van Wert, entered a no contest plea to a charge of possession of drugs, a third-degree felony offense. When arrested, Minyoung had 67 tablets of Dilaudid, an amount in excess of the allowable bulk amount. Minyoung entered the no contest plea to that he could appeal Judge Steele’s ruling related to a request to suppress evidence in the case.

The judge ordered a presentence investigation and scheduled sentencing for 9 a.m. Wednesday, June 29.

Mark L. Brown, 45, of Convoy, pleaded guilty to a charge of domestic violence, a fourth-degree felony offense. According to reports, Brown allegedly caused harm, or attempted to cause harm, to a family member on May 30, 2010. Judge Steele ordered a presentence investigation and set sentencing for 9 a.m. June 29.

Samantha J. Lacy, 19, of Van Wert, denied she violated her probation and a hearing was scheduled to hear evidence in the case. Lacy was released on a personal surety bond, along with electronically monitored house arrest.

Scott D. Bauer, 48, of Defiance, appeared for sentencing on an assault charge, but the hearing was continued so that Judge Steele could review documents presented during Wednesday’s hearing.

Chad Diltz, 45, of Delphos, had his sentencing hearing continued after Diltz made a motion to withdraw his guilty plea. A hearing on the plea withdrawal motion will be scheduled in the near future.

Brandon Hershey, 23, of Van Wert, failed to appear for a pretrial conference and a warrant was issued for his arrest.