EATON — Preble County Common Pleas Court heard cases involving drugs, domestic violence and theft on Tuesday, Feb. 11. Judge Stephen R. Bruns presided.
Carl E. Sheley, 34, of Lewisburg, was sentenced on charges of aggravated assault and domestic violence. Judge Bruns sentenced Sheley to three years of community control on the assault charge and a suspended sentence of 180 days incarceration on the second count.
A reserved prison sentence of 18 months could be imposed if Sheley fails to abide by the terms of his probation, which include successful completion of substance abuse treatment in a community-based correctional facility. Sheley must also pay court costs and complete 100 hours of community service.
Roger Karr, 47, of Lewisburg, withdrew his previous guilty plea to charges of burglary and petty theft. Karr’s court-appointed legal counsel, Kevin Lennon, asked to be withdrawn from the case, and Karr agreed, saying he’d had a difficult time working with Lennon.
“It ain’t working out,” Karr said when asked to elaborate.
Judge Bruns granted Lennon’s request and appointed attorney Steven Van Zant to represent Karr. His next court appearance is a pre-trial conference scheduled for Feb. 25.
James B. Sinnett, 36, was sentenced on charges of theft from a person in a protected class, receiving stolen property, and grand theft of a motor vehicle. Sinnett’s attorney, Steven Van Zant, asked for Sinnett to be given probation, claiming the defendant had recently become enrolled in a medication-assisted substance abuse treatment program that he felt would be more successful than those he’s participated in in the past.
Sinnett also asked the court for leniency, saying he was in the process of rebuilding his relationships with his children and was afraid a prison sentence would interfere with that goal.
“I’ve had my fair share of mess-ups in life, but the biggest one is my children — I let them down,” Sinnett said. “I know that if I go away, my daughter is going to look at that as me abandoning her again when we’ve just started to build things back up.”
Judge Bruns sentenced Sinnett to three years of community control. Reserved prison sentences of 30 months could be imposed if Sinnett fails to complete the terms of his probation.
Kenneth C. Shindeldecker, 47, of West Alexandria, was sentenced on charges of operating a motor vehicle while under the influence with three or more prior convictions for the same offense. Judge Bruns sentenced Shindeldecker to two years of incarceration, with the possibility of judicial release after 60 days if he displays no behavioral issues during that time.
“You have an extensive record, but it has been eight years since your last offense,” Bruns told the defendant.
Bruns also imposed a three-year driver’s license suspension and a fine of $1,350.
Dustin J. Schuyler, 34, of Eaton, pleaded guilty to charges of aggravated possession of drugs. The prosecution recommended incarceration in a community-based correctional facility, citing Schuyler’s several previous felony convictions. Schuyler’s attorney, Sam Borst, indicated his client was not amenable to this, however.
“He doesn’t want a treatment program,” Borst said. “He just wants to do his time flat.”
Bruns nonetheless elected to sentence Schuyler to three years of community control, and ordered the defendant to complete substance abuse treatment at a community-based correctional facility and perform 100 hours of community service as part of the terms of his probation. A reserved prison term of 12 months could be imposed if Schuyler fails to complete those terms.
“I’m not going,” Schuyler told the court in response. “It’s a waste of time.”
“Then you’ll be in violation,” Bruns replied.
John D. McCloud, 42, of West Alexandria, was arraigned on charges of aggravated possession of drugs. McCloud’s attorney, Kevin Lennon, entered a plea of not guilty on his client’s behalf. McCloud’s next court appearance is a pre-trial conference scheduled for March 12.
