a_d
Wednesday, November 15th, 2006

Local counterfeiting charge lands Akron man in prison for nine months

By Margie Wuebker
A Northeast Ohio man has been sentenced to prison in connection with a case involving the creation of counterfeit $50 bills that were passed at Mercer County businesses more than a year ago.
James M. Fixx, 37, of Akron, appeared in Mercer County Common Pleas Court last week and pleaded guilty to a bill of information charging him with complicity to commit forgery, a fifth-degree felony.
As part of a negotiated arrangement, Mercer County Assistant Prosecutor Matt Fox dismissed 15 counts of forgery contained in the original indictment.
Judge Jeffrey Ingraham proceeded to sentencing and ordered Fixx to serve nine months in the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction. The time is to run concurrently with a sentence imposed in a related Auglaize County case. He also was ordered to pay $700 restitution.
Fixx, who has a history of criminal convictions, reportedly aided in the creation of the bills but was not present at any of the locations where they were passed, according to a statement of facts presented by the assistant prosecutor.
His accomplices - 35-year-old Lima residents Tony S. Harrell and Mark E. Joseph - were sentenced earlier this year to 12 months in prison on each of eight counts of forgery. The time is to be served concurrently, but consecutively to three-year terms handed down in related Auglaize County cases. Seven additional counts were dropped during plea negotiations.
On Sept. 28, 2005, the two men made nominal purchases at eight area businesses and received change from $50 bills later determined to be counterfeit.
Authorities confiscated bills from Carter Villa, Logan Street IGA, 3D Music Center, Robert's Town Tavern, Tractor Supply, Windy Point Carryout, Doc's Inn and the Bottle 'N Keg in Mercer County. The bills reportedly bore the same serial number and lacked security markings computer printers cannot reproduce.
The pair also passed counterfeit bills at other business in Allen and Auglaize counties, including Pantry Pride, Barlett's Carry Out and Friendly Tavern in St. Marys.
A multiagency investigation brought together police departments from Cridersville, Wapakoneta, St. Marys and Celina, the Auglaize County Sheriff's Office and the Mercer County Sheriff's Office. They were assisted by the U.S. Secret Service, the federal agency responsible for investigations into counterfeiting.
a_d
Archive of November 15th, 2006
Buy this E-Edition
Additional online stories on this date
Waiting for the smoke to clear
It's difficult to tell who's more confused these days: smokers, business owners or health officials.
In 22 days, a law passed last week by Ohio vot [More]
High insurance rates send health officials shopping
WAPAKONETA - Rising health insurance costs has Auglaize County Health Department officials seeking bids for a better deal.
Charlotte Parsons, the c [More]
Subscriber and paid stories on this date
County will pay election extra cost
Mercer County Commissioners agreed Tuesday to provide an emergency infusion of cash to the county elections board to pay off about $7,000 in costs associated with the Nov. 7 general election.
Suicide ruling
Suicide has been listed as the cause of death for 17-year-old Natalie Feliciano of Celina, according to a ruling from Mercer County Coroner Dr. Timothy Heinrichs.
Neighbors object to expanding landfill upward
Five local residents spoke out against a proposal that would vertically expand the Celina Sanitary Landfill by a maximum of 20 feet.
The objections were heard during an Ohio EPA public hearing held Tuesday night at Celina City Hall.
The problem
The Celina Sanitary Landfill is expected to run out of space by the end of the year, if it does not expand.
A proposed vertical expansion over the
Health officials not ready for new sewage rules
WAPAKONETA - County health officials aren't qualified to perform some of the duties mandated by the state in the new sewage system rules that go into effect in January, says one Auglaize County official.
Lots to be available after zoning changes approved
CHICKASAW - The village's Board of Public Affairs during a meeting Tuesday learned lots in the new St. Francis addition will be available in December
SWCD banquet held
The Mercer County Soil and Water Conservation District gave out awards and elected two new board members during its 62nd annual banquet and meeting Tuesday in Coldwater.
Safeway Packaging one step closer to moving to new site
NEW BREMEN - A proposed $10.6 million industrial project is one step closer to becoming reality after New Bremen village councilors unanimously endorsed an enterprise zone agreement.
Pool revenue dips below budget
ST. HENRY - The budget of the village swimming pool and park ended in the red again this year, but did better than the previous year.
Village counc
Council express concern about leftover debris at Mersman site
Plans to demolish a large portion of the Mersman Furniture Co. are moving forward following Celina City Council approval this week to contract for the engineering of the project.
Mercer County commissioners reach payment terms for county physicians
Mercer County commissioners approved two separate measures Tuesday involving county physicians.
Commissioners agreed to add an annual cost of livin
Celina grad killed near Greenville
An accident Saturday afternoon in Darke County claimed the life of a former Celina resident.
Lori Ann Daugherty, 31, of Greenville was pronounced d
Glass Odyssey opens in Celina
Delphos couple starts business featuring artsy, handmade items
A new specialty shop offering hand-blown decorative glass items opened Friday at 206 West Market St.
Glass Odyssey has an inventory of handmade glass vases, Christmas decorations, paperweights, earrings, necklaces and bracelets, in addition to a large variety of tobacco smoking pipes.
Celina Medical Center to expand
An expansion planned for the Celina Medical Center, 801 Pro Drive, will more than double the size of the facility that has provided health care services to the surrounding community for more than 25 years.