TO:   Local News Media

FROM:   Van Wert County Common Pleas Court

DATE:   Wednesday, July 02, 2008

Re:  Criminal Hearings

Tara Beougher, 23, Van Wert, Ohio was placed on three years of community control after failing to comply with her treatment in lieu of conviction program.

Beougher had originally been involved in a treatment program for drugs but had tested positive which was a violation of the program.  Beougher will spend up to six months at the WORTH Center in Lima, Ohio, have an additional 30 days of jail to be served in the Van Wert County Jail at a time to be determined, complete a substance abuse assessment and any programs of rehabilitation that is recommeneded, her driving privileges were suspended for six months and she will have to provide the State of Ohio a DNA sample. 

Judge Steele also gave her an eight month prison sentence with the imposition of the sentence deferred pending the successful completion of community control.

Lonnie Gentry, 60, Ohio City, Ohio was placed on one year of community control on a Domestic Violence charge a misdemeanor of the first degree.

Gentry allegedly caused or attempted to cause physical harm to a family or household member on March 29^th, 2008 according to a Van Wert County Sheriff’s Department report.

Gentry will be required to spend 30 days in the Van Wert County Jail at a time to be determined by his supervision officer and perform 200 hours of community service which can be reduced to 100 hours if he is gainfully employed. 

Gentry will be required to continue and complete all alcohol programs he is now involved in and also complete an anger management program.  

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Michael E. Yaeger, 35, Lima, Ohio entered a guilty plea to a charge of NonSupport of Dependents a felony of the fifth degree and was placed on a diversion program through the Van Wert County Prosecutors Office.  

If  Yaegrer completes the programs as required the criminal charge will be sealed.

Michael Hart, 37, Van Wert, Ohio entered a guilty plea to a charge of Identity Fraud a felony of the third degree.   According to a Van Wert County Sheriff’s Department investigation Hart assumed the identity of a local man and in doing so acquired credit cards to which he charged $10,587.52 worth of merchandise.

Judge Steele ordered a presentence investigation and scheduled sentencing for September 2^nd, 2008 at 8:00 a.m..