Drug suspects appear in Auglaize County court

Area residents charged in December with drug-related crimes continue to appear in Auglaize County Common Pleas Court in Wapakoneta.

Twenty-four people were arrested and 77 criminal charges filed following a lengthy investigation that began in early 2008 by the Grand Lake Drug Task Force of Mercer and Auglaize counties.

The charges filed involve cocaine, crack cocaine, heroin, morphine, Oxycontin, LSD, marijuana and prescription medications. The street value of the drugs purchased by undercover agents and seized, totaled more than $13,000. Also seized were nine vehicles, seven weapons and more than $1,600 in cash.

The following were arrested and are in the midst of court proceedings.

• Sherman Henderson, 58, North Walnut Street, St. Marys, pleaded not guilty to marijuana trafficking, a fifth-degree felony; having weapons under disability (prohibited from possessing weapons due to a felony conviction) and two counts of drug possession, all third degree felonies; and drug possession, a second-degree felony.

A pretrial/change of plea hearing is Feb. 12.

• Johnny Chiles Jr., 25, of St. Marys, has pleaded not guilty to drug trafficking, a fifth-degree felony. In another case, he pleaded not guilty to trafficking in marijuana and cocaine, fifth-degree felonies, and drug trafficking, a fourth-degree felony.

A pretrial/change of plea hearing is Feb. 11.

• David Hecker, 33, South Wayne Street, St. Marys, pleaded guilty to trafficking in LSD, a fourth-degree felony, and cocaine trafficking, a fifth-degree felony.

Sentencing is Feb. 13.

• Richard Dixon, 23, of St. Marys, pleaded guilty to two counts of marijuana trafficking, a fourth- and fifth-degree felony.

Sentencing is Feb. 17.

• A pretrial/change of plea hearing is Feb. 18 for Mark Zumbroegel, 40, Greenvale Drive, St. Marys, who earlier pleaded not guilty to three counts of drug trafficking, two fifth-degree felonies and a fourth-degree felony.

• A pretrial/change of plea hearing is Feb. 13 for Danny Williams, 39, of Deford Street, Celina, who earlier pleaded not guilty to three counts of aggravated drug trafficking, third-degree felonies.

• A jury trial has been set for Feb. 9 and 10 for Robert Mabry Jr., 29, East Spring Street, St. Marys, who earlier pleaded not guilty to the sale of dangerous drugs, a third-degree felony, and drug trafficking and two counts of trafficking in heroin, all fourth-degree felonies.

• A pretrial/change of plea hearing is Friday for Natasha Pruitt, 20, Maple Street, St. Marys, who earlier pleaded not guilty to four counts of drug trafficking, a fifth-degree felony and three fourth-degree felonies.

• Michael Bonifas, 29, Beech Street, St. Marys, pleaded not guilty to two counts of drug trafficking, a fourth- and fifth-degree felony.

A pretrial/change of plea hearing is Feb. 18.

• Alvie Herzog, 38, Beech Street, St. Marys, pleaded not guilty to three counts of drug trafficking, two fifth-degree felonies and a fourth-degree felony.

A pretrial hearing is Feb. 20.

• Connie S. Derr, 41, Beech Street, St. Marys, pleaded not guilty to three counts of drug trafficking, a fifth-degree felony.

A pretrial/change of plea hearing is Feb. 17.

• A pretrial/change of plea hearing is Feb. 13 for Kevin J. Overley, 32, Beech Street, St. Marys, who earlier pleaded not guilty to drug trafficking, a fourth-degree felony, and cocaine trafficking and two counts of drug trafficking, all fifth-degree felonies.

• Chad Coble, 33, Johnson Avenue, Celina, pleaded guilty to two counts of marijuana trafficking, third- and fifth-degree felonies.

Sentencing is Feb. 13.

• Brian Whittemire, 46, East Spring Street, St. Marys, pleaded not guilty to three counts of sale of a dangerous drug, a third-degree felony, and drug trafficking, a fifth-degree felony.

A pretrial/change of plea hearing is Feb. 11.

• Garret Whetstone, 23, North Pine Street, St. Marys, pleaded not guilty to four counts of drug trafficking, three fourth-degree felonies and a fifth-degree felony.

A pretrial/change of plea is Feb. 19.