TO: Local News Media

FROM:    Van Wert County Common Pleas Court    

DATE:  Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Re:   Criminal Hearings

James D. Ramirez, 21, Van Wert, Ohio was placed on community control for three years on a charge of Burglary a felony of the fourth degree.

According to a Van Wert City Police Department investigation Ramirez had allegedly forced his way into an apartment on July 26^th, 2011 at which time he allegedly took a video game.  

Apparently Ramirez had been to the apartment with another friend the night before but returned alone later to burglarize the apartment and took the game

Judge Steele in addition to the three years of community control place Ramirez on 90 days of electronic monitored house arrest, ordered that he spend 30 days in the Van Wert County Jail at a time determined by his supervision officer, complete a psychological and substance abuse assessment along with completing any rehabilitation program ordered, and make restitution to the victim in the amount of $100.00.   Ramirez was ordered to pay $250 as partial reimbursement for his court appointed attorney, $25 for the affidavit of indigency fee, and court costs.   Ramirez was also given a basic prison term of twelve months with the imposition of the sentence deferred pending the successful completion of the community control program. 

Bradley D. Smith, 34, Edgerton, Ohio was sentenced to one year of community control on Attempted Receiving Stolen Property a misdemeanor of the first degree.

Smith was ordered to spend 60 days on electronic monitored house arrest, make restitution of $275 to the victim , pay $250 as partial reimbursement for his court appointed counsel, $25 affidavit of indigency fee and court costs.  

Smith was also given a 180 day jail sentence and a $1000 fine with the imposition of the jail sentence and fine deferred pending his successful completion of the community control program.

Skyler D. Leugers,  20, Celina, Ohio was placed on three years of community control on a charge of Grand Theft a felony of the fourth degree. 

According a Van Wert City Police Department investigation Leugers allegedly purchased a vehicle in April of this year from a local resident with a check  after learning of the vehicle being offered for sale on an internet site.   Leugers told the victim that the check for $2800 was from his parents and he was authorize to use the check for the purchase of the vehicle.  Later the victim learned that the check was taken from his parents and Leugers was not authorized to use the check.  The vehicle was later recovered but the vehicle was damaged beyond repair.

Judge Steele ordered that Leugers spend 60 days on electronic monitored house arrest, spend an additional 30 days in jail at a time to be determined by his supervision officer and make restitution to the victim in the amount of $2800 which must be paid to the victim by April 1^st, 2012.  

Leugers was ordered to pay $250 for partial reimbursement of his court appointed attorney, $25 for affidavit of indigency fee and court costs.  

Judge Steele also gave Leugers a nine month prison sentence but deferred the imposition of the sentence pending the successful completion of the community control program.

Kareem Howard, 37, Van Wert, Ohio was found in violation of his community control program by not reporting, failing to notify his supervision officer of a change of address and failed to undergo a substance abuse assessment and attend programs as recommended.

Howard has been sentenced to three years of community control in July of 2010 on a charge of Domestic Violence at which time he was given a 18 months prison sentence.

Judge Steele found that Howard was not amenable to community control and ordered him to spend the eighteen month prison sentence and gave him credit for 41 days he had spent in jail awaiting final disposition of his case.

Joel L. Crawford, 23, Van Wert, Ohio was found in violation of his community control program by voluntarily checking out of the WORTH Center program.

Judge Steele ordered that Crawford spend a prison sentence of one year on one case and six months for each of four counts on another case.   The four count were to run concurrently but consecutively to the one year prison sentence.

Crawford was given credit toward the prison sentence for 277 days which he had served while awaiting final disposition of his case.

Gabriel G. Spradlin, 26, Rockford, Ohio entered a guilty plea to a charge of Failure To Comply With A Signal From A Law Enforcement Officer To Stop (Eluding and Fleeing) a felony of the third degree. 

According to records Spradlin attempted to flee and elude from police officer after an attempt to stop him was initiated. Spradlin reached high speeds Race Street, lost control of his vehicle and crashed into a home.   The incident took place in July of 2011.   Spradlin suffered severe injuries from the crash and had to be extracted from the vehicle after the crash.

Judge Steele ordered a presentence investigation and scheduled sentencing on November 9^th, 2011 at 9:00 a.m.. 

Kevin L. Clay, 26, Van Wert, Ohio entered a guilty plea to a charge of Possession of Drugs a felony of the fifth degree.

According to a statement made in court by the Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, Clay did use or possess heroin on January 8^th, 2011.

Judge Steele ordered a presentence investigation and scheduled sentencing for December 14^th, 2011 at 9:00 a.m..