TO:  LOCAL NEWS MEDIA

 

FROM:  VAN WERT COUNTY COMMON PLEAS COURT

 

DATE:   Wednesday, June 25, 2008

 

Re:  Criminal Hearings

 

SENTENCING HEARINGS

 

A Van Wert man will serve two years in prison as the result of a scheme he created to escape from jail.

 

Joshua G. Franklin, 23, Van Wert, Ohio entered guilty pleas to Escape and two counts of Theft and was then sentenced to a one year prison sentence to run consecutively to a one year sentence on a previous offense of two counts of Receiving Stolen Property and Forgery.

 

Franklin while in the Van Wert County Jail awaiting sentencing on the Receiving Stolen Property and Forgery charges convinced his attorney that his grandmother passed away and he wanted to attend her funeral.  Mr. Franklin’s attorney petitioned the court for a furlough which was granted so Franklin could allegedly attend the funeral.   Franklin never did attend a funeral but stole a car and checks from a local person and fled to Missouri where he was apprehended. 

 

For each count or offense Franklin was given a one year prison sentence to run concurrently but consecutively to each case.   Judge Steele ordered that Franklin also make restitution to the victim of $500.00.

 

 

James B. Hollar, 37, Lima, Ohio was given a given a twenty-seven month prison sentence on three counts of Theft each count a felony of the fifth degree.  The sentences were for thefts of LCD televisions from the Walmart Super Center from January through March of 2007.

 

At one point Mr. Hollar and his brother who also has been charged and sentenced had entered the Walmart Store wearing Walmart vest identify them as Walmart                                                                                              

 

employees at that time they loaded up five LCD televisions and pushed them out the store to a vehicle where they were loaded before Walmart employees were aware of what was taking place.

 

Hollar and his brother were later arrested for similar offense and served time in the State of Indiana for similar offenses.

 

Judge Steele ordered that Hollar share in the total restitution of $6687.00 along with what his brother was ordered to pay to Walmart for the items stolen.

 

 

Victoria L. Vinson, 46, Van Wert, Ohio was placed on one year of community control on a charge of Domestic Violence a misdemeanor of the third degree.  Vinson had originally been indicted on two counts of Domestic Violence both felonies of the fourth degree.

 

According to a Van Wert City Police Department Vinson was involved in causing or attempting to cause physical harm to her husband and a son on March 17th, 2008.

 

Vinson told the Judge at sentencing that she had a problem with alcohol and anger for which she was receiving treatment at this time.

 

Judge Steele also gave her a 180 day jail sentence with a $1000 fine with the imposition of the sentence deferred pending her successful completion of the community control program.

 

 

Mack Carrizales, 36, Leipsic, Ohio was placed on three years of community control on a charge of Possession of Cocaine a felony of the fifth degree. 

 

According to a Van Wert City Police Department investigation Carrizales was arrested after a traffic stop in April of 2008 at which time it was found that Carrizales possessed cocaine.

 

Carrizales told Judge Steele that he was presently involved in a treatment program for his substance abuse of cocaine and alcohol.

                                                                                               

 

Judge Steele ordered that in addition to the three years of community control that he complete 200 hours of community service, spend two years in the intensive supervision program, have his drivers license suspended for six months and pay court costs.   Judge Steele also gave Carrizales a six month prison sentence with the imposition of the sentence deferred pending the successful completion of the community control program.

 

Sheldon Beebe, 31. Munith, Michigan, was placed on three years of community control on a charge of  Non-Support of Dependents a felony of the fifth degree.

 

According to the Van Wert County Child Support Enforcement Agency Beebe is $18,137.00 behind in his child support.

 

Beebe will spend up to six months at the WORTH Center in Lima, Ohio, perform 200 hours of community service, spend two years of intensive supervision and remain current on his child support once released from the WORTH Center, pay $250 as partial reimbursement for his court appointed attorney fees and $25 Affidavit of Indigency Fee.

 

Judge Steele also gave Beebe a twelve month prison sentence with the imposition of the sentence deferred pending the successful completion of the community control program.

 

ARRAIGNMENT 

 

Michael E. Yaeger, 35, Lima, Ohio entered a not guilty plea to a charge of Non-Support of Dependents.  Yaeger was released on a $5,000 unsecured personal surety bond with a pretrial hearing scheduled for July 2nd, 2008 at 8:00 a.m..

 

COMMUNITY CONTROL VIOLATION

 

Heidi Sill, Van Wert, Ohio was given an eight month prison sentence for violating the terms of her community control.  Sill had been originally sentenced to spend up to six months at the WORTH Center as part of her community control but she told Judge Steele that she would rather just go to prison.  Sill had originally been convicted on a drug related charge.