1 arraigned, 1 sentenced in local CP Court

Van Wert independent

One person was arraigned and five others appeared for criminal hearings this week in Van Wert County Common Pleas Court.

Justin Murphy, 30, of Van Wert, pleaded not guilty to a charge of vandalism, a felony of the fifth degree. His bond was set at $10,000 cash or commercial surety and a pretrial conference scheduled for 9 a.m. Wednesday, January 10, 2018.

Rickie Welker, 35, of Van Wert, was sentenced to 14 months in prison on each of two counts of assault of a police officer, each a felony of the fourth degree. The prison terms are to run consecutively to each other, for a total of 28 months in prison.

He was also sentenced to 180 days in jail on a charge of domestic violence, a misdemeanor of the first degree. That sentence is to run concurrently to the two prison terms, while Welker was also given credit for 122 days already served.

A Van Wert woman also changed her plea to guilty to one count each of aggravated possession of drugs, a felony of the fifth degree, and aggravated trafficking in drugs, a fourth-degree felony offense. Judge Martin D. Burchfield ordered a presentence investigation and set sentencing for 10 a.m. January 10.

Antin Bartley, 23, of Van Wert, denied violating his probation by having a positive drug test. A hearing was set for 10 a.m. January 10 in the matter.

Christopher Bird, 40, of Van Wert, admitted to violating his bond and treatment in lieu of conviction program by testing positive for drugs and failing to appear for additional drug testing. His bond was set at $5,000 cash/commercial surety and sentencing will be held at 9 a.m. Wednesday, January 31, 2018.

Amanda Barnes-Hensley, 35, of Van Wert, signed a waiver of her constitutional right to a speedy trial and requested additional time to prepare her case. A pretrial conference will be held on Wednesday, January 17, 2018.