TO:   LOCAL NEWS MEDIA

FROM:   VAN WERT COUNTY COMMON PLEAS COURT

DATE:   Wednesday, November 21, 2007

Re:   Criminal Hearings

ARRAIGNMENT

Timothy A. Hittle, 26, Alden, Michigan was arraigned on an indictment issued by the November 2005 Grand Jury charging him with Theft a felony of the fifth degree.

Hittle was indicted after an investigation by the Van Wert City Police Department into a theft related incident that reportedly took place in July of 2005.

Hittle was released on a $5,000 unsecured personal surety bond with a pretrial scheduled for November 28^th, 2007 at 8:00 a.m..

SENTENCING HEARINGS

Brian W. Ross, 22, Latty, Ohio was given a twelve month prison sentence on a charge of Tampering With A Coin Machine a felony of the fifth degree.   The sentence is to run concurrently with a prison sentence from Paulding Count for another theft related offense.

Ross was indicted after a Van Wert City Police Department investigation revealed that Ross had attempted to gain entry into coin machine at the Van Wert Super Wash in June of this year.

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Charles W. Potter, 41, Springfield, Ohio was sentenced to a nine month prison sentence on a charge of Breaking and Entering a fifth degree felony. 

According to a Van Wert County Sheriff’s Department investigation Potter allegedly broke into a Willshire, Ohio car shop in April of 2007 where cash and handguns were allegedly taken.

Potter was given credit for 107 days served in jail awaiting final disposition of the case. 

CHANGE OF PLEA HEARINGS

Janera Knuckles, 28, Lima, Ohio entered a guilty plea to a charge of Attempted Identity Fraud a misdemeanor of the first degree.  A presentence investigation was ordered with sentencing scheduled for January 2, 2008 at 9:00 a.m..

Erik M. Placke, 18, Middle Point, Ohio entered guilty pleas to five counts of Theft and one count of Burglary.   A presentence investigation was ordered with sentencing scheduled for January 2, 2008 at 9:00 a.m..

Tara Beougher, entered a guilty plea to a charge of Possession of Drugs a fifth degree felony.   Beougher was granted treatment in lieu of conviction.  Beougher will have to successfully complete an approved drug treatment and rehabilitation program at which time the charge would be dropped.   Failure to successfully complete the program could result in a prison sentence.

Rebecca (Pinson) Decker, 27, Ohio City, Ohio entered a guilty plea to a charge of Possession of Drugs a felony of the fifth degree.  Decker was granted treatment in lieu of conviction.   Decker will have to successfully complete an approved drug treatment and rehabilitation program at which time the charge would be dropped.  Failure to successfully complete the program could result in a prison sentence.