Defiance County Prosecuting Attorney Morris Murray has announced the release of the following information regarding certain pending criminal matters:
Prosecutor Murray has announced that Jerry E. Stevens, a 67-year-old Archbold man, was sentenced to prison for Operating a Vehicle Under the Influence of Alcohol, a Drug of Abuse or a Combination of Them, a Felony of the Third Degree, and Assault, a Felony of the Fourth Degree.
Jerry E. Stevens-age 67-Sentenced for Operating a Vehicle Under the Influence of Alcohol, a Drug of Abuse or a Combination of Them-F3 and Assault-F4 to a total of 47 months at ODRC, jail credit for 5 days, pay fine of $1,350, lifetime suspension of his operator’s license, costs.
According to Murray, on February 16, 2024, on Evansport Rd., in Defiance, Stevens operated a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs and was involved in a single vehicle car crash.
Stevens then caused or attempted to cause physical harm to a law enforcement officer who responded to the scene. Stevens also has a prior Felony OVI conviction.
THE FOLLOWING PERSONS WERE BROUGHT BEFORE THE DEFIANCE COUNTY COMMON PLEAS COURT FOR ARRAIGNMENT ON FELONY MATTERS:
Justin W. Goatley-age 43–Not Guilty plea, $50,000 cash bond w/10% allowed, No Contact Order & TPO, pre-trial 12/18/24 @ 11 a.m.
Franklin A. Williamson-age 79-Guilty plea, OR bond, pre-trial 1/13/25 @ 11 a.m.
THE FOLLOWING PERSONS HAVE RECENTLY ENTERED GUILTY OR NO CONTEST PLEAS IN THE DEFIANCE COUNTY COMMON PLEAS COURT:
Christina S. Burk-age 34-No Contest plea to Aggravated Possession of Drugs-F5, found Guilty, PSI ordered, sentencing 1/21/25 @ 1:30 p.m.
Christina S. Burk-age 34-No Contest plea to Disseminating Matter Harmful to Juveniles-F4, found Guilty, PSI ordered, sentencing 1/21/25 @ 1:30 p.m.
Benjamin L. Zeitz-age 43-No Contest plea to Strangulation-F5, found Guilty, PSI ordered, sentencing 1/14/25 @ 2 p.m.
THE FOLLOWING PERSONS HAVE RECENTLY BEEN SENTENCED IN THE DEFIANCE COUNTY COMMON PLEAS COURT:
Maggie E. Groh-age 26-Sentenced for Aggravated Trafficking in Drugs-F4 to 2 years CCS with 18 months at ODRC reserved in the event of a violation of CCS, no bars/alcohol, not obtain/possess/use cannabis or cannabis products, pay $120 restitution to MAN Unit, costs.
Kristi L. Warner-age 38-Sentenced for Theft from a Person in a Protected Class-F3 to 2 years CCS with 36 months at ODRC reserved in the event of a violation of CCS, no bars/alcohol, not possess or consume cannabis, produce drug-free urine specimen at sentencing hearing, no contact (direct or indirect) with victim or victim’s family w/o prior permission from her Supervising Officer, costs. (On or about May 17, 2021, through July 19, 2021, Warner stole property valued at seven thousand five hundred dollars or more, but less than thirty-seven thousand five hundred dollars, from an elderly individual, in Defiance.)
Kristi L. Warner-age 38-Sentenced for Failure to Appear as Required by Recognizance-F4 to 2 years CCS with 18 months at ODRC reserved in the event of a violation of CCS, no bars/alcohol, not possess or consume cannabis, produce drug-free urine specimen at sentencing hearing, costs. (On May 16, 2024, Warner failed to appear at the Defiance County Common Pleas Court for a further pre-trial hearing, in connection with the commission of a felony, after having been released on a personal recognizance bond.)
Tucker D. Beck-age 41-Sentenced for Aggravated Possession of Drugs-F5 to 2 years CCS with 12 months at ODRC reserved in the event of a violation of CCS, no bars/alcohol, not consume or possess cannabis, costs. (On August 23, 2023, during a traffic stop on Baltimore St., in Defiance, Beck was found in possession of Methamphetamine, a Schedule II drug.)