Putnam County Common Pleas Court
May 16
Christopher R. Landwehr, 51, Cloverdale, was granted work release from jail to conduct farming operations. He must be able to do so within the allotted time of 60 hours per week as designed by the sheriff’s department policy. He was convicted of attempted disrupting public services and aggravated menacing.
Konner J. Dunklee, 26, Ottawa, charged with aggravated murder, murder, attempt to commit an offense, felonious assault and assault, a misdemeanor, has filed a motion for competence and not guilty by reason of insanity. Pretrials scheduled for May 20 and June 20 were vacated as well as a jury trial scheduled for July 15. Upon receipt of medical determination on said issues, the court shall reset the matter for further hearings. According to a press release from the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded to several 911 calls about shots being fired at Kitchen Enterprises Trucking Company, 6302 Pro Tec Parkway, Leipsic at 4:05 p.m. April 18. Officers found Farrah Croninger, 30, Deshler, dead at the scene. In addition to Croninger, officers found Michael Kitchen, 54, injured at the scene. Kitchen was transported to Mercy Health St. Rita’s, Lima, for treatment. Dunklee fled the scene and multiple law enforcement agencies searched for him before being found in Allen County where he was placed into custody and transported to the Putnam County Adult Detention Center.
May 20
Frank Taschler, 24, Pandora, pleaded guilty to endangering children. He faces up to 36 months in prison and $10,000 in fines. Bond was continued while a presentence investigation is conducted with sentencing set for 11 a.m. June 20.
Phongsavanh Sithivongsa, 18, Findlay, pleaded guilty to attempted failure to comply and improper handling of firearms in a motor vehicle. He faces up to 18 months in prison for each charge and up to $5,000 in fines. Bond was continued while a presentence investigation is conducted with sentencing set for 11:15 a.m. June 20. The firearm seized in the within action will be forfeited to the arresting agency.
May 21
Roberto Barraza, Jr., Lima, was granted a divorce from Erika Barraza, Columbus Grove. They were married Sept. 2, 2022, in Columbus Grove and have no children.
Credit Acceptance Corp., Southfield, Mich., was granted judgment against Christina Torres, Leipsic, in the amount of $18,992.82, plus interest and costs.
May 22
Lima Memorial Health System, Pittsburgh, Pa., was granted summary judgment against Kenneth Hazelton, Continental, in the amount of $7,809.20, plus interest and costs.
New Cases
Nicole Basinger, Columbus Grove, v. Jordan Basinger, Columbus Grove; divorce with children.
Kendra A. Von Lehmden-Wentz, Fort Jennings, and Nicholas S. Wentz, Ottawa; dissolution of marriage with children.
Kendra Barginere, Ottawa, v. D’Ante Barginere, Ottawa; legal separation.
Ijah Austin, Lima, v. Huggins Auto Parts, Inc., Glandorf, and Huggins Auto Sales, Inc., Ottawa; other civil.
Putnam County Municipal Court dispositions
May 15
Cadence K. Rowe, 19, Elida, charged with drug abuse/possession, a felony, bound over to common pleas court.
Juan C. Ponce, 31, Indianapolis, was fined $150 for driving without a valid license.
May 20
Antwan D. Brown, 36, Columbus, charged with drug abuse/possession, a felony, bound over to common pleas court. Katy Francisco, 28, Ottawa, was fined $150 for driving without a valid license.
May 21
Ernest Gutierrez, 56, Ottawa, pleaded guilty to failure to appear. Sentence: 180 days jail, 143 days suspended, $150 fine.
Tameka L. White, 40, Lima, was fined $150 for driving under suspension license forfeiture.
Susan L. Coffman, 60, Columbus Grove, pleaded guilty to OVI second offense. Sentence: 180 days jail, 160 days suspended, $1,000 fine, $475 suspended, two-year license suspension, and complete an alcohol and drug assessment. Charges of OVI and failure to control were dismissed.
James R. Siefer, 33, Ottawa, pleaded guilty to OVI. Sentence: Six points, 180 days jail, 160 days suspended, $750 fine, $375 suspended, two-year license suspension, and complete an alcohol and drug assessment. A charge of turn signal required dismissed.
Dawn M. Averesch, 48, Continental, pleaded guilty to an amended charge of physical control. Sentence: 180 days jail, 177 days suspended, $750 fine, $325 suspended, with credit for three days jail upon completion of DIP. Charges of OVI and marked lanes were dismissed.
May 23
Nicole D. Conn, 47, Ottawa, pleaded guilty to falsification. Sentence: 180 days jail, 175 days suspended. $150 fine, and complete a mental health assessment.
Raeann R. Sanders, 43, Cloverdale, pleaded guilty to OVI. Sentence: 180 days jail, 174 days suspended, $750 fine, $375 suspended, one-year license suspension, with credit for six days jail upon completion of DIP. Charges of OVI and failure to control were dismissed.
Anthony J. Brown, 26, Columbus Grove, charged with vandalism, a felony, bound over to common pleas court.
James A. Morgan, 20, Ottoville, charged with failure to comply, a felony, bound over to common pleas court.
Putnam County Court judgments
May 15
Velocity Investments, LLC, Wall., N.J., default judgment v. Becky Torres, Ottawa, $8,483.04, plus interest and costs.
May 20
American Express National Bank, Independence, agreed judgment v. Lindsay Ellerbrock, Ottawa, $6,075.41, plus interest and costs.
Ohio Mutual Insurance Co., Bucyrus, default judgment v. Carlos Waddle, New Paris, $1,280.05, plus interest and costs.
Discover Bank, New Albany, default judgment v. Angela Bowen, Leipsic, $1,787.10, plus interest and court costs of $95.
Republic Finance, LLC, Indianapolis, Ind., default judgment v. Charles Aguirre, Columbus Grove, $2,947.31, plus interest and costs.
The Vorst Plumbing & Heating Co., Inc., Kalida, small claims v. Jeff Moore, Kalida, and Lynne Moore, Kalida, $898.13, plus interest and costs.
