11 people appear in Common Pleas Court

DAVE MOSIER/independent editor

A total of 11 people appeared recently for criminal hearings in Van Wert County Common Pleas Court.

Last Thursday, Dwayne Samuel Watts, 31, of Ottawa, changed his plea to guilty to one count each of aggravated possession of drugs and possession of cocaine, both felonies of the fifth degree.

Watts then requested, and was granted, treatment in lieu of conviction and his case was stayed pending his successful completion of a substance abuse treatment program.

Also Thursday, Christopher Bird, 40, of Van Wert, denied violating his bond by failing to report to the probation department. A hearing has been set for 10 a.m. this Friday.

Brittney Wilson, 22, of Van Wert, appeared in court Tuesday for sentencing on a charge of aggravated possession of drugs, a felony of the fifth degree. She was sentenced to five years of community control, as well as up to six months in the Western Ohio Regional Treatment and Habilitation (WORTH) Center in Lima, and must undergo a substance abuse assessment and complete any treatment recommended.

Also Tuesday, Stephany Wilson 25, of Van Wert, was sentenced to five years of community control, including up to six months in the WORTH Center and substance abuse treatment, on a charge of complicity to aggravated possession of drugs, a felony of the third degree.

One person who was arraigned on vehicle theft was among those who appeared in Common Pleas Court on Wednesday.

Emily Caton, 37, of Franklin, pleaded not guilty to one count of grand theft of a motor vehicle, a felony of the fourth degree. She was released on a personal surety bond and will appear for a pretrial conference at 8 a.m. Wednesday, February 14.

Four people appeared Wednesday for change of plea hearings.

John Ashbaugh, 44, of Van Wert, changed his plea to guilty to one count each of trafficking in drugs and trafficking in marijuana, both felonies of the fifth degree, and one count of aggravated trafficking in drugs, a third-degree felony offense. Five other similar charges were dismissed in exchange for his guilty pleas on the above charges. Judge Martin Burchfield ordered a presentence investigation and scheduled sentencing for 9 a.m. Wednesday, February 21.

Johnathon McBride, 23, of Van Wert, changed his plea to guilty to a charge of domestic violence, a felony of the fourth degree. A presentence investigation was ordered and sentencing set for 9 a.m. February 21.

Drew Gaskill, 22, of Van Wert, changed his plea to guilty to one count each of aggravated possession of drugs and possession of cocaine, both felonies of the fifth degree. He then requested, and was granted, treatment in lieu of conviction and his case was put on hold until he successfully completes substance abuse treatment.

Justin Murphy, 30, of Van Wert, changed his plea to guilty to one count of vandalism, a felony of the fifth degree. He then requested immediate sentencing, and was given 180 days in jail and must make restitution in the amount of $500 for the damage he did.

Also Wednesday, Josh McGinnis, 36, of Delphos, admitted to violating his probation by failing to report to probation. He was sentenced to a new five-year term of community control under the same conditions as before, with the addition of a 30-day jail term.

Chad Fisher, 41, of Van Wert, admitted to violating his surety bond by failing to report to probation. A new $10,000 cash or commercial surety bond was set in the case and sentencing in his original case was scheduled for 9 a.m. February 21.