Defiance County Prosecuting Attorney Morris Murray has announced the release of the following information regarding certain pending Criminal matters:
Prosecutor Murray has announced that Ashley N. Cole, a 34 year old Defiance woman, was sentenced to prison for Failure to Comply with an Order or Signal of a Police Officer, a Felony of the Third Degree, and Vandalism, a Felony of the Fifth Degree. She was also convicted of Operating a Vehicle Under the Influence of Alcohol, a Drug of Abuse or a Combination of Them, a Misdemeanor of the First Degree.
Also sentenced to prison for Failure to Comply with an Order or Signal of a Police Officer, a Felony of the Third Degree, was Emilio Gonzalez, a 24 year old Findlay man. Lynn Sexton, a 32 year old Defiance woman, was also sentenced to prison for Aggravated Trafficking in Drugs, a Felony of the Third Degree.
Ashley N. Cole-age 34-Guilty pleas to Failure to Comply with an Order or Signal of a Police Officer-F3, Vandalism-F5 and Operating a Vehicle Under the Influence of Alcohol, a Drug of Abuse or a Combination of Them-M1 and sentenced to 41 months at ODRC, operator’s license suspended for 5 years (beginning 5/24/24), mandatory fine of $525, pay $1,160.38 in restitution to the Defiance Co. Sheriff’s Office, jail credit for 74 days, costs, (payments of fines/restitution/court costs stayed until Cole is released from prison), post sentence investigation ordered.
According to Murray, on May 24, 2024, on Evansport Rd., in Defiance, Cole operated a motor vehicle while under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol, and she then fled from a traffic stop, creating a substantial risk of serious physical harm to persons or property in the area. Cole was stopped and taken into custody, and she then caused damage to a Defiance Co. Sheriff’s Office police cruiser.
Emilio Gonzalez-age 24-Sentenced for Failure to Comply with an Order or Signal of a Police Officer-F3 to 30 months at ODRC, operator’s license suspended for 5 years, jail credit for 66 days, costs. According to Murray, on November 30, 2023, Gonzalez fled from a traffic stop on Wayne Ave., in Defiance, and, during a pursuit that lasted over 50 minutes, Gonzalez created a substantial risk of serious physical harm to persons or property in the area, while fleeing from police at speeds exceeding 100 mph. He was finally stopped in Henry County.
Lynn N. Sexton-age 32-Sentenced for Aggravated Trafficking in Drugs-F3 to 30 months at ODRC, jail credit for 144 days, costs, pay $140 in restitution to the MAN Unit.
THE FOLLOWING PERSONS WERE BROUGHT BEFORE THE DEFIANCE COUNTY COMMON PLEAS COURT FOR ARRAIGNMENT ON FELONY MATTERS:
Richard McMahon-age 58-Not Guilty pleas, $50,000 cash bond w/10% allowed, pre-trial 9/10/24 @ 9 a.m.
Noah A. Cox-age 41-Not Guilty pleas, $5,000 cash bond w/10% allowed, GPS monitor, No Contact Order and TPO, pre-trial 9/24/24 @ 10:45 a.m.
Derrick M. Dunn Sr.-age 47-Not Guilty pleas, OR bond, pre-trial 9/25/24 @ 10:15 a.m.
Joseph Wiswell-age 41-Not Guilty pleas, $10,000 cash bond w/10% allowed, pre-trial 9/12/24 @ 10:15 a.m.
Yamil O. Cruz-age 19-Not Guilty pleas, $25,000 cash bond w/10% allowed, No Contact Order and TPO, pre-trial 9/23/24 @ 1:15 p.m.
Kyle W. Crase-age 35-Not Guilty plea, $25,000 cash bond w/10% allowed, pre-trial 9/9/24 @ 2:15 p.m.
Anthony E. Meyer-age 57-Not Guilty pleas, $25,000 cash bond w/10% allowed, No Contact Order and TPO, pre-trial 9/10/24 @ 1 p.m.
Kyle T. Lawrence-age 33-Not Guilty plea, OR bond, pre-trial 9/9/24 @ 1:45 p.m.
David Mendieta-age 61-Not Guilty plea, $25,000 cash bond w/10% allowed, pre-trial 9/12/24 @ 1:45 p.m.
Christina S. Burk-age 34-Not Guilty pleas, OR bond, No Contact with Victim, pre-trial 9/16/24 @ 10:45 a.m.
THE FOLLOWING PERSONS HAVE RECENTLY ENTERED GUILTY OR NO CONTEST PLEAS IN THE DEFIANCE COUNTY COMMON PLEAS COURT:
Kristi L. Warner-age 37-Guilty plea to Theft from a Person in a Protected Class-F3, PSI ordered, sentencing 9/26/24 @ 9:30 a.m.
Kristi L. Warner-age 37-Guilty plea to Failure to Appear as Required by Recognizance-F4, PSI ordered, sentencing 9/26/24 @ 9:30 a.m.
Thomas R. Stearns-age 20–Guilty plea to Unlawful Sexual Conduct w/a Minor-F4, PSI ordered, sentencing 10/16/24 @ 2 p.m.
Wyatt F. Whalen-age 23-Guilty plea to Possession of Cocaine-F5, PSI ordered, sentencing 10/3/24 @ 9:30 a.m.
PLEA/SENTENCING:
Simon M. Ramirez Jr.-age 67-Motion for Intervention in Lieu of Conviction w/drawn per Defendant’s request, entered plea of Guilty to Possession of Cocaine-F5 and sentenced to 2 years CCS with 12 months at ODRC reserved in the event of a violation of CCS, no bars/alcohol, not obtain/possess/use cannabis products, costs. (On September 30, 2023, at his residence, on Karnes Ave., in Defiance, Ramirez was found in possession of Cocaine.)
George Knight-age 47-No Contest plea to Domestic Violence-M1, found Guilty and sentenced to 2 years of probation with 6 months at CCNO suspended in the event of a probation violation, no similar violations, be of general good behavior, Costs (due w/in 90 days), TPO dissolved. (On March 16, 2024, at his residence on Village Lane, in Defiance, Knight caused or attempted to cause physical harm to a family or household member.)
Alyssa M. Johnston-age 32-Guilty plea to Aggravated Possession of Drugs-F5 and sentenced to 2 years CCS with 12 months at ODRC reserved in the event of a violation of CCS, no bars/alcohol, not use/possess/obtain cannabis, enter into and successfully complete an inpatient treatment program as directed by her Supervising Officer, costs. (On March 4, 2024, at a business on Ralston Ave., in Defiance, Johnston was found in possession of Methamphetamine, a Schedule II drug.)
Holly Jo Becker-age 44-Guilty plea to Petty Theft-M1 and sentenced to 2 years of probation with 6 months at CCNO suspended in the event of a probation violation, no similar violations, be of general good behavior, pay $10,000 in restitution to the Defiance Baseball Association (paid on 8/16/24), Costs (due w/in 90 days), no contact with the Defiance Baseball Association. (From April 1, 2022, through September 30, 2023, Becker stole money from the Defiance Baseball Association.)
Alfred T. Brusaw-age 68-Guilty plea to Trespass in a Habitation-F4 and sentenced to 12 months at ODRC, costs, jail credit for 69 days.
THE FOLLOWING PERSONS HAVE RECENTLY BEEN SENTENCED IN THE DEFIANCE COUNTY COMMON PLEAS COURT:
Lucas R. Rittenhouse-age 40-Sentenced for Five Counts of Aggravated Trafficking in Drugs-F4’s to 4 years CCS with 90 months at ODRC reserved in the event of a violation of CCS, no bars/alcohol, serve 90 days at CCNO, costs.
Cole J. Reynolds-age 28–Sentenced for Domestic Violence-F4 to 3 years CCS with 18 months at ODRC reserved in the event of a violation of CCS, no bars/alcohol, not use/possess/consume cannabis products, costs. (On April 4, 2024, at a residence on Village Lane, in Defiance, Reynolds caused or attempted to cause physical harm to a pregnant family or household member, and he has a prior conviction for Domestic Violence.)
Eric D. Boyce-age 47-Sentenced for Receiving Stolen Property-F5 to 2 years CCS with 12 months at ODRC reserved in the event of a violation of CCS, no contact (direct or indirect) with the victim or victim’s family, costs. (On November 18, 2022, on Harrison Ave., in Defiance, Boyce possessed a license plate, which he had reasonable cause to believe had been obtained through a theft offense.)