TO:  LOCAL NEWS MEDIA

FROM:  VAN WERT COUNTY COMMON PLEAS COURT

DATE:   Wednesday, March 26, 2008

Re:   Criminal Hearings

SENTENCING HEARINGS:

            Joshua Moniz, 27, Van Wert County Correctional Facility was sentenced to a four year prison term on a charge of Attempted Burglary a felony of the third degree.

            Moniz was arrested by Delphos City Police in connection with an attempted burglary to a home in the 600 block of West Fourth  Street on January 3^rd, of this year.   Neighbors observed Moniz trying to enter the home and contacted police

            In sentencing Moniz, Judge Steele  noted that Moniz had an extensive record going back to 1995 for burglary and theft related charges.

            The victim spoke to the court at sentencing telling the court the only reason he hadn’t entered the home was that he had broken off the door knob and was unable to gain any further entry to the home.  

            Moniz was given credit of 83 days against the four year prison term for time he has served in the county jail awaiting final disposition of the case.

CHANGE OF PLEA HEARINGS

            Kurt Strukamp, 45, Van Wert, Ohio entered a plea of guilty to a charge of Burglary a felony of the fourth degree.

            According to a Van Wert County Sheriff’s Office investigation Strukamp allegedly entered the residence of Timothy Miller in Ohio City on May 27^th of 2007 taking a number of items.

            Judge Steele ordered a presentence investigation and scheduled sentencing for May 7^th, 2008 at 9:00 a.m..

            Robert A. Thomas, Jr., 20, Van Wert entered a plea of guilty to a charge of Illegal Possession of Drugs Documents a felony of the fourth degree.  

            Thomas also had filed with the court a motion to enter a treatment program in lieu of conviction.   The successful completion of the treatment rehabilitation program will result in him not having a conviction.

            According a Van Wert City Police Department investigation Thomas allegedly attempted to pass a forged prescription for prescription drug on January 3^rd of 2008. 

            Thomas will be under the supervision of the Van Wert County Adult Probation Department for one year while he is involved in the treatment program.

            John R. McGinnis, 26, Convoy, Ohio entered a guilty plea to a charge of Theft a felony of the fifth degree.

            According to a Van Wert County Sheriff’s Office investigation McGinnis allegedly took a firearm from the Richard Schumm residence between May 24^th, 2005 and August 24^th, 2005 while he was working at the Schumm home.   The firearm was valued at $695.00. 

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            Judge Steele scheduled sentencing for April 9^th, 2008 at 9;00 a.m..   McGinnis is presently serving time in the Van Wert County Correctional Facility on another charge. 

ARRAIGNMENT HEARING

            Ronnie Huffine, 45, presently being held in prison formerly of Decatur, Indiana entered a not guilty plea to a charge of Possession of Cocaine a felony of the fifth degree. 

            Huffine was originally arrested as the result of a traffic stop conducted by the Van Wert Post of the Ohio State Patrol.

            A pretrial conference has been scheduled for April 2, 2008 at 8:00 a.m..

BOND VIOLATION HEARING

            Robert Thompson, 23, Van Wert, Ohio had his personal surety bond revoked after he tested positive drugs.  Thompson was ordered held pending his sentencing on April 9^th, 2008 at 9:00 a.m..

COMMUNITY CONTROL VIOLATION

            Suzanne Vasquez, Lima, Ohio admitted to violating her condition of community control by testing positive for the use of marijuana and drugs.   Vasquez had sentencing continued until she could be evaluated for treatment at the WORTH Center.