Wells Superior Court
Criminal Cases
Jury trial confirmed for 8:30 a.m. Aug. 19 for Case J.M. Smith, 20, Bluffton, charged with intimidation where the threat is to commit a forcible felony, a Level 6 felony; and criminal trespass, a Class A misdemeanor.
Wells Circuit Court
Criminal Cases
Preliminary plea of not guilty entered for James D. Manns, 51, Poneto, charged with battery causing bodily injury to a public safety officer, a Level 5 felony, and resisting law enforcement causing bodily injury to a public safety officer, a Level 6 felony. Bond continued at $15,000.
Manns was arrested following an altercation with sheriff’s deputies at his Poneto residence June 17 when deputies arrived to assist Department of Child Services personnel with taking custody of a newborn child from its mother after the mother had tested positive for methamphetamine while at the hospital.
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Preliminary plea of not guilty entered for Lawrence H. Dishong, 62, Bluffton, charged with possession of methamphetamine, a Level 5 felony; unlawful possession of a hypodermic syringe, a Level 6 felony; maintaining a common nuisance — controlled substances, a Level 6 felony; possession of marijuana, a Class B misdemeanor; and possession of drug paraphernalia, a Class C misdemeanor. Released on his own recognizance. Law firm of Sprunger and Sprunger appointed public defender.
While serving a search warrant on an apartment in the 400 block of West Wabash Street June 15, officers allegedly found evidence of drug usage including glass smoking devices, two clear plastic bags containing a crystalline substance believed to be methamphetamine, and a used syringe.
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Sentencing set for 9 a.m. July 27 for Scott A. Richardson, 45, Bluffton, who pleaded guilty to failure to register as a sex or violent offender with a prior conviction for the same offense, a Level 5 felony.
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Preliminary plea of not guilty entered for Devon L. Brickley, 20, Bluffton, charged with burglary of a dwelling, a Level 4 felony; theft, a Class A misdemeanor; and criminal mischief, a Class B misdemeanor. Bond continued at $12,500. Larry Mock appointed public defender.
On May 8, Bluffton police responded to a Main Street residence on a report that someone had broken into the residence, stole several items and ransacked the house, breaking several items in the process.
Brickley is charged with participating with two other men in the break-in. Among the items stolen were cell phones, a guitar, and camera.
Certificates Filed
Certificates of candidate selection to fill an early ballot vacancy for a local office in 2022 filed with the Wells County Clerk’s office by the following Republican canisates:
• Susan Popplewell, Bluffton, seeking election to the Harrison Township Advisory Board.
• John Walmsley, Zanesville, seeking election to the Union Township Advisory Board.
• Steve Studebaker, rural Poneto, seeking election to the Chester Township Trustee’s position.
• Richard Borror, rural Liberty Center, seeking election to the Liberty Township Advisory Board.
• Lynn Blevins, rural Poneto, seeking election to the Chester Township Advisory Board,.
• Kedric Bailey, rural Markle, seeking election to the Union Township Advisory Board.
• Logan Mynatt, rural Liberty Center, seeking election to the Liberty Township Advisory Board.
