TO:   Local News Media

 

FROM:   Van Wert County Common Pleas Court

 

DATE:    Wednesday, November 07, 2007

 

Re:   Criminal Arraignments, Sentencing and Change of Pleas Hearings

 

 

Four individuals were arraigned in Van Wert County Common Pleas Court before Judge Charles D. Steele on indictments issued by the Van Wert County Grand Jury which met in session last Friday.

 

Corey Kloeppel, 18, Delphos, Ohio entered not guilty pleas to a three counts of Rape which are first degree felonies and one count of Kidnapping a first degree felony.  

 

A Van Wert County Sheriff’s Department investigations that alleged sexual assault incident took place in July of this year at a rural Delphos home.

 

Kloeppel was released on a $5,000 unsecured personal surety bond upon the recommendation of the Prosecutor’s Office with a condition that he have no contact with the victim or victim’s family. 

 

A pretrial conference has been scheduled for December 12, 2007 at 8:00 a.m..

 

 

William Jeffers, 62, Van Wert, Ohio entered a not guilty plea to a charge of Sexual Battery a felony of the third degree.

 

The indictment alleges that Jeffers allegedly engaged in sexual conduct with another not the spouse of the offender when the offender is the otgher person’s guardian, custodian or person in loco parentis of the other person.   The incident allegedly took place on or about September 1st of 2007.

 

Jeffers was released on a $5,000 unsecured personal surety bond upon the recommendation of the Prosecutor’s Office along with a stipulation that he have no contact with the alleged victim.

                                                                                       

Gary L. Haines, 62, Van Wert, Ohio entered a not guilty plea to an indictment charging him with five counts of Pandering Obscenity Involving A Minor and one count of Illegal Use Of A Minor In Nudity-Oriented Material Or Performance. 

 

According to a Van Wert County Sheriff’s Department investigation they determined that Haines had obscenity involving minors on his home computer.  The alleged offense took place in March of 2007.

 

Haines was released on a $5,000 unsecured personal surety bond upon the recommendation of the Prosecutor’s Office. 

 

A pretrial hearing has been scheduled for December 4th, 2007 at 2:00 p.m..

 

 

Erik Placke, 19, Middle Point, Ohio entered a not guilty plea to an indictment charging him with five counts of felony Theft and one count of Burglary a felony of the second degree. 

 

According to a Van Wert County Sheriff’s Department investigation the thefts and burglary took place on or about September 15th, 2007. 

 

Placke was released on a $5,000 unsecured personal surety bond upon the recommendation of the Prosecutor’s Office.

 

A pretrial hearing has been scheduled for November 21st, 2007 at 8:00 a.m..

 

 

SENTENCING HEARINGS

 

Sannita G. Coil, 20, Paulding, Ohio was sentenced to spend up to six months at the WORTH Center in Lima, Ohio on a charge of Attempted Vehicular Homicide a felony of the fifth degree.

                                                                               

 

Coil had been indicted in August of this year for a motor vehicle accident that took place on July 9th where a two year old child Anaya Hernandez was killed in the crash.

 

According to a Van Wert County Sheriff’s Department investigation Coil was traveling on U.S. Rt. 127 at which time she struck a semi-trailer and then struck a second vehicle.   Witnesses at the scene reported that Coil had been speaking on a cell phone just prior to the accident. 

 

The two year old child was killed and another  eight month old baby was treated and released.

 

Judge Steele noted in court that Coil had an extensive record of minor offenses dating back to the time she was a juvenile and felt that she needed to be involved in a treatment program to help her become more responsible for her actions.  He felt that a stay at the WORTH Center of up to six months might be beneficial.

 

Coil will be on community control for a period of three years, two of which will be under intensive supervision, she must complete 200 hours of community service which can be reduced to 100 hours if gainfully employed, pay court costs and complete a substance abuse assessment.  

 

Coil was also given a basic nine month prison sentence with the imposition of that sentence deferred pending the successful completion of the community control program.

 

 

CHANGE OF PLEA HEARINGS

 

Michael Ditmyer, 57, Van Wert, Ohio entered a plea of guilty to Assault a misdemeanor of the first degree.   A presentence investigation was ordered with sentencing scheduled for November 28th, 2007 at 9:00 a.m.. 

                                                                                       

 

Paul Richey, 65, Van Wert, Ohio entered a guilty plea to two counts of Attempted Mishandling Of A Firearm In A Motor Vehicle both misdemeanors of the first degree.   A presentence investigation was ordered with sentencing scheduled for November 28th, 2007 at 9:00 a.m..