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A woman admitted a felony vandalism charge for trashing a rental property after she and her husband were evicted.
Jessie Michelle Smith, 26, who is now residing at 713 Cooper Ave., pleaded guilty to the fifth-degree felony Monday in Logan County Common Pleas Court.
She and her husband Charles L. Smith, 37, were charged after Valarie and Jeffrey Latimer filed a complaint in April alleging the renters severely damaged their 4256 County Road 18 property after a court-enforced eviction.
There were holes in the walls, which were smeared with human excrement and other filth, Assistant Logan County Prosecutor Sarah Warren read from the sheriff’s report. Windows were broken; door frames were damaged; and piles of trash were left outside the residence.
The couple also allegedly removed copper pipes, a water heater and other items of value. They were also charged with felony theft, but prosecutors dismissed the theft charge against Mrs. Smith in exchange for the plea.
Mr. Smith also appeared in court Monday, but was granted an additional week to decide whether he will enter a guilty plea or go to trial.
Mrs. Smith will be sentenced Dec. 27.
Man gets chance to continue in recovery
A Bellefontaine native was given three years’ community control and a chance to continue progress he has made while living in Xenia.
Brian J. Evans, 35, faced sentencing on a fifth-degree felony drug possession charge stemming from a Feb. 23 traffic stop in the city.
He told Judge Mark S. O’Connor that he has successfully completed the Christopher House inpatient rehabilitation program in Xenia and is now living in sober housing there with six months of continuous sobriety.
His Alcoholics Anonymous sponsor spoke on his behalf at the hearing.
Judge O’Connor said he would grant a request to transfer the probation to Greene County, but warned that any failure to comply with the terms could result in incarceration at the West Central Community Correctional Facility or up to a year in prison.
In addition to the community control, Mr. Evans must pay a $250 fine, court costs and attorney fees.
Other charges
• Richard McWilliams, 33, of Bellefontaine, entered a guilty plea to a possession of drugs charge in connection with an April 14 arrest in which officers of the Adult Parole Authority responded to his Colonial Arms apartment on a report that he was in possession of a firearm.
They found him hiding in an attic and discovered a bag containing 11 prescription opiate pills and $312 cash, which will be surrendered to the courts for payment of costs.
Sentencing was set for Dec. 27.
• Dwayne Miller, 43, of Zanesfield, was sentenced to the West Central Community Correctional Facility for a third-degree felony count of domestic violence.
He was charged in May for striking his 5-year-old daughter and wife Nicole after returning home heavily intoxicated.
• In hearings last week, J.D. Crawford, 35, of Bellefontaine, was sentenced to the West Central Community Based Correctional Facility, five years’ community control and ordered to pay court costs and attorney fees for possession of heroin; and
• Paul Anderson, 25, of Bellefontaine, was sentenced to three years’ community control, 80 hours’ community service and ordered to pay court costs for attempted possession of drugs.