Thursday, June 25th, 2009
Seven local drug offenders sentenced
Action follows lengthy probe by bi-county Grand Lake Task Force
By Margie Wuebker
The first round of drug offenders charged in connection with lengthy Grand Lake Task Force investigations appeared recently in Mercer County Common Pleas Court for sentencing.
They include:
• Joshua P. Bernholt, 20, 921 Chestnut St., Celina, was sentenced to community control sanctions after pleading guilty to two counts of trafficking in marijuana. The terms include up to three years supervision, $150 restitution and a one-year operator's license suspension.
The fifth-degree felonies stem from offenses occurring in December 2007. As part of a negotiated agreement, the state dismissed one additional trafficking charge.
• Anthony M. Dresher, 23, 715 Vining St., Celina, received 10-month prison sentences after pleading guilty to two counts of trafficking in marijuana. Each term is to be served consecutively.
Dresher received credit for 97 days served during dependency of the case. Ingraham also ordered him to pay $180 restitution and his operator's license was suspended for six months on each charge.
The state dismissed another trafficking charge during plea negotiations. The fifth-degree felony offenses occurred in January 2008.
• Dawn R. Gehle (Johnson), 47, 3601 state Route 703, Lot 67, Celina, was sentenced to community control sanctions after pleading guilty to two counts of trafficking in marijuana. The terms include up to three years supervision, $195 restitution and a six-month operator's license suspension on each count.
As part of a negotiated agreement, the state dismissed a third count of trafficking. The fifth-degree felony offenses occurred in January and February of last year.
• Michael L. Gehm, 36, 7360 Wabash Road, Celina, was sentenced to three years community control sanctions after pleading guilty to attempted illegal assembly or possession of chemicals for the manufacture of drugs, a fourth-degree felony, and two counts of unlawful purchase or receipt of pseudoephedrine, both first-degree misdemeanors. He also received a six-month operator's license suspension.
As part of a negotiated agreement, the state amended the felony charge and dismissed 11 misdemeanors. The charges all stem from offenses that occurred between Aug. 1, 2007 to Sept. 20, 2008.
• Anthony E. Howard, 21, 642 E. Livingston St., Celina, was sentenced to three years community control sanctions after pleading guilty to trafficking in drugs, a fourth-degree felony. Other sanctions include a six-month operator's license suspension.
The offense involves selling or offering to sell marijuana in the vicinity of a juvenile.
• Kevin J. Howard, 22, 322 W Market St., Celina, received an aggregate sentence of 4 years and two months in prison after pleading guilty to two counts of trafficking in marijuana and one count of trafficking in heroin. Two of the counts involve offenses occurring in the vicinity of a juvenile.
He received credit for 87 days served during dependency of the case. The judge also ordered restitution totaling $1,110 and a five-year operator's license suspension.
The offenses, which range from third- to fifth-degree felonies, occurred in 2007 and 2008.
• Richard H. Rammel, 47, whose last address appeared in court records as 549 E. Livingston St., Celina, appeared recently for sentencing on one count of trafficking in drugs, a fifth-degree felony.
The terms of his community control sanctions include up to three years supervision, $50 restitution and a six-month operator's license suspension.
The charge stems from selling or offering to sell marijuana in December 2007.
A total of 22 people were indicted on drug-related offenses with roundups occurring in three phases - Feb. 25, March 24 and May 1 - to assure there was adequate space at the Mercer County Jail.
