Final vandal at Van Wert windmill farm sentenced

VAN WERT — The final man to be sentenced in the high-dollar vandalism of a crane at a windmill farm was given a suspended one-year prison term Wednesday.Cody J. Edwards, 21, of Saginaw, Texas, was sentenced on the charge of felony vandalism and ordered to successfully complete three years of probation or be sent to prison. Judge Charles Steele also ordered he enter the WORTH Center that typically treats people with alcohol or drug problems, as well as teaching them skills to function in society.Edwards was the third man to be sentenced in the July 2 vandalism at a wind turbine farm in northwestern Van Wert County, near U.S. Route 30. The trio caused nearly half a million dollars in damage but were ordered to pay the $58,000 the insurance company did not cover. The men set fire to a crane, damaged lighting equipment and other equipment at the site. Blattner Energy Co. is the owner of the property. The two other defendants, Dustin Gamble, 20, of Haviland, and Kyle Beech, 21, of Van Wert, each were sentenced to one year in prison but can avoid that if they successfully complete probation.While Gamble and Beech blamed their criminal misconduct on alcohol Edwards did not in court. Edwards told the judge he took full responsibility for his actions. Steele said Edwards has had numerous involvements with the law in his young life but the incidents were not for major crimes.Edwards was in Van Wert visiting his father when the incident occurred. You can comment on this story at www.limaohio.com.