TO:  LOCAL NEWS MEDIA

 

FROM:   VAN WERT COUNTY COMMON PLEAS COURT

 

DATE:   Wednesday, July 09, 2008

 

Re:   Criminal Hearings

 

The first of three individuals involved in a December 2007 late night home invasion that resulted in an serious injury to Robert Patton, age 80 of Wren, Ohio was sentenced.

 

Elizabeth A. Wyatt, 22, Marion, Ohio but had been residing in Decatur, Indiana at the time of the incident was sentenced to a basic prison term of four years on a charge of Robbery a felony of the third degree.   Wyatt had originally been charged with Aggravated Robbery a felony of the first degree but entered into a plea agreement where she would testify against Eric Zinsmater.

 

Wyatt, Ricky Lynn Fisher, Decatur, Indiana and Eric Zinsmater went to the elderly Mr. Patton’s home at which time Wyatt approached the door and asked to use the telephone.   Mr. Patton invited her in and as she started to enter the home Zinsmaster and Fisher pushed in with her at which time Zinsmaster allegedly beat Mr. Patton with brass knuckles.  

 

Ricky Lynn Fisher has entered a guilty plea and is scheduled to be sentenced on July 23rd.  Zinsmaster is awaiting extradition from the Creek County Oklahoma.

 

According to Victim’s Advocate Michael Kirkendall who spoke in behalf of Mr. Patton the trio made off with approximately $1700 which was used to purchase drugs.   Mr. Kirkendall told Judge Steele that for the first time in eighty years Mr. Patton has started to lock the doors at his home, doesn’t sleep well at night and lives in fear. 

 

One of the items taken was a keepsake pocket watch that had belonged to Mr. Patton’s father, cash and a knife collection were also taken.

 

 

Patton was treated and released from the hospital that night for a broken cheek bone, cracked bones in the forehead area, a broken nose and injuries to his neck but returned the very next day with chest pains.

 

Judge Steele gave Wyatt credit for 98 days she had served in jail awaiting final disposition of the charges.  

 

Upon completion of her sentencing Wyatt could be overheard saying “Wow four years” as if she was amazed that she was given that type of sentence.

 

 

Christopher L. Harlamert, 20, Van Wert, Ohio was handed a basic prison term of twelve months on a charge of Unlawful Sexual Conduct With a minor a fourth degree felony.

 

According to a Van Wert City Police Department investigation Harlamert had inappropriate sexual conduct with a fifteen year old Van Wert girl.

 

Judge Steele also found that Harlamert was convicted of a sexually oriented offense and ordered that he must abide by the sexual offender registration guideline for a period of twenty-five years.

 

 

Jason Lamb, Van Wert, Ohio entered an admission to violating the terms of his community control sanctions and was ordered to spend the remaining days of his original sentence in the Van Wert County Jail.

 

According a Van Wert County Adult Probation report, Lamb allegedly was terminated from the WORTH Center for violating their rules.

 

Lamb had originally been convicted of a drug related charge.  

  

                                                                                   

Kesha Runyan, 37, Delphos, Ohio was sentenced to one year of community control on two counts of Assault both counts misdemeanors of the first degree.

 

Runyan was ordered to complete any substance abuse rehabilitation program that she was presently involved in, perform 200 hours of community service, pay $250 as partial reimbursement for her court appointed attorney, $25 Affidavit of Indigency Fee and court costs. 

 

Failure to complete her community control sanction will  result in a 180 day prison sentence for each count and a $1,000 fine for each count.

 

 

Jonathan A. Howden, 20, Van Wert, Ohio was sentenced to 60 days in the Van Wert County Jail on a Possession of Drugs a misdemeanor of the third degree.

 

Judge Steele found that Howden was not amenable to community control and jail was consistent as part of the sentence.

 

Defendant was ordered to pay a $500 fine and court costs.

 

 

Lance J. Clifton, Van Wert, entered a guilty plea to a charge of Illegal Possession of a Drug Document a felony of the fourth degree. 

 

Clifton entered a guilty plea and then asked to enter treatment in lieu of conviction, the motion was granted by Judge Steele.

 

Clifton will be under the supervision of the Van Wert County Adult Probation Department for a period of one year while he is involved in a drug treatment program.  The successful completion of the treatment program will result of Clifton not having a criminal record.