Butler County man gets jail time

A Butler County man, who attempted to hide from authorities but could not escape the nose of Nick, the Celina Police Department K9 unit, was sentenced to community control sanctions during an early July appearance in Mercer County Common Pleas Court on an alcohol charge.

Joshua C. Evans, 25, of Hamilton, received a 150-day jail sentence including 90 days to be served immediately. He has already served 42 days during dependency of the case with remaining time to be imposed if he violates terms of community control sanctions.

Other terms include up to four years supervision, successful completion of a counseling program, random drug and alcohol testing, a mandatory $800 fine and a three-year operator's license suspension.

Evans, whose wife and young children were present in the courtroom, pleaded guilty June 4 to a bill of information charging him with operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs of abuse - his fifth such offense during a period of six years.

Defense attorney Matt Gil-more said Evans needs help and counseling in order to put his life back together.

Judge Jeffrey Ingraham told the defendant his actions the night of May 22 put everyone traveling in the area at risk. Fortunately there were no tragic consequences, according to the judge.
Mercer
County Sheriff's Deputy Chad Fortkamp clocked Evans driving 71 miles per hour along U.S. 127, south of Celina, shortly before midnight. Fortkamp activated the cruiser's emergency flashers and Evans reportedly accelerated before turning east on Monroe Road and running a stop sign at the West Bank Road intersection. Other units responded to the scene at the deputy's request.

An unidentified passenger ran from the stopped vehicle while Evans remained behind the wheel. Fortkamp focused on the fleeing man and warned he had a dog. The man nonchalantly demanded to see the dog and the deputy complied pushing a door release button on his belt. Bleck, who joined the sheriff's office in May, hopped out ready for action.

The passenger quickly surrendered while Evans took advantage of the distraction to run toward a wooded area. Celina police officer Dan Harting arrived with Nick and it was not long until the dog had Evans cornered in the vicinity of a nearby motorhome.

He was taken to the Celina Police Department where he reportedly tested .154 blood-alcohol content, nearly double the .08 limit. The passenger was not charged.