Putnam County Common Pleas Court
Sept. 12
Joseph Mendoza, 44, Putnam County Detention Center, pleaded guilty to an amended charge of domestic violence with one prior. He faces up to 18 months in prison and $5,000 in fines. Bond was revoked pending sentencing set for 9 a.m. Oct. 17.
Sept. 13
Jacob J. Langhals, 21, Ottawa, was sentenced to 180 days jail for attempted illegal use of a minor or impaired person in nudity-oriented material or performance and attempted possession of criminal tools. The judge suspended 90 days of the sentence and granted him work release upon qualifying with the provisions established by the department. The judge also granted a motion that the silver Acer laptop located by his bedside held as evidence that the Ottawa Police seized from Langhals on Jan. 9, can be released as long as all illegal material is removed.
According to court records, Langhals is accused of possessing or viewing material or performance that shows a minor who was not his child in a state of nudity on April 8. He possessed a photo or video of “Jane Doe” in a state of nudity when she was a minor while at 512 Kennedy Street in Ottawa. He was also charged with possessing under his control a device with the purpose to use it in the commission of a felony offense, a laptop while at 512 Kennedy Street in Ottawa.
Gilberto T. Nava, 31, London Correctional Institute, was sentenced to seven months in prison for possession of cocaine. He was given credit for 106 days served as of September 12 and any additional days going forward. The sentence was ordered to be served concurrently to a sentence in Seneca County. Any evidence seized by the state shall be disposed of by the arresting agency.
Justin Reynolds, pleaded guilty to attempted tampering with evidence. He faces up to 18 months in prison and $5,000 in fines. Bond was revoked pending a sentencing hearing set for 9 a.m. Oct. 24.
Sept. 16
Jonathan R. Schmenk, 25, Kalida, pleaded guilty to gross sexual imposition, two counts of illegal use of a minor or impaired person in nudity oriented material and possessing criminal tools. He faces up to 96 months in prison and $17,500 in fines. Bond was revoked while a pre-sentence investigation is conducted with sentencing set for 8:30 a.m. Oct. 21. The state agrees to no additional charges based on the Ottawa Police Department investigation of this matter. The jury trial scheduled for Oct. 21 is vacated.
According to court records, Schmenk had sexual contact with a person less than 13 years of age, a Jane Doe (DOB 2003), while in Leipsic between June 1, 2014 through Aug. 31, 2014. He also is accused of possessing or viewing material on June 11, 2024 showing a minor who was not his child in a state of nudity, possessing photos and videos of a minor not his child in a state of nudity while at 1570 N. Perry St., Lot 25, Ottawa. The Grand Jury further found that Schmenk is the owner and or possessor of cell phones, laptop, SD cards and USB’s which was contraband and or property derived from or through the commission or facilitation of the offense.
Sept. 17
Joseph Chandler, 39, Columbus Grove, pleaded guilty to two counts trafficking in a fentanyl-related compound. He faces up to 36 months in prison and $10,000 in fines on each count. State asked to dismiss another count of trafficking in a fentanyl-related compound and another charge of trafficking in cocaine. The state is also requesting drugs seized in the matter be forfeited to the state and he pay restitution of $2,770 to the MAN unit. Bond was continued while a presentence investigation is conducted with sentencing set for 9:30 a.m. Oct. 18.
Sept. 20
Justin Shafer, 42, Crown City, was sentenced to 90 days jail for being in contempt for failing to pay child support. He was given credit for 15 days previously served provided he remains current in his payments.
Putnam County Municipal dispositions
Sept. 5
Midwest Financial Services, Ltd., Toledo, consent judgment v. Dustin Arnett, Vaughnsville, $13,190.86, plus interest and costs.
Sept 12
Mark C. Ruvoldt, 32, Lima, pleaded guilty to theft. Sentence: 180 days jail, 90 days suspended, with payment of restitution of $190. He also pleaded guilty to resisting arrest. Sentence: 90 days jail, 45 days suspended, with sentence to be served consecutive. A charge of fictitious plates, theft and resisting arrest were dismissed.
Sept. 16
Matthew J. Niese, 42, Cloverdale, pleaded guilty to gambling and rules for conducting raffle. Sentence: $500 fine on each count and ordered to forfeit machines and monies seized by the Ohio Department of Public Safety Investigative unit. Four counts of operating a gambling house and four counts of gambling were dismissed.
Rodney L. Kesler, 57, Continental, pleaded guilty to rules for conducting a raffle and gambling, Sentence: $500 fine on each count and ordered to forfeit machines and monies seized by the Ohio Department of Public Safety Investigative unit. Four counts operating a gambling house and three counts gambling were dismissed.
Charles E. Lusk, 58, Continental, pleaded guilty to driving under OVI suspension. Sentence: 180 days jail, 140 days suspended, $250 fine, and 12-month license suspension. He was also ordered to pay costs for failure to signal turn.
Dion’Andre C. Calhoun, 44, Lima, pleaded guilty to an amended offense of criminal mischief. Sentence: 60 days jail, 59 days suspended, $150 fine. A charge of assault was dismissed.
Roger L. Maag, 61, Leipsic, pleaded guilty to an amended charge of second-offense reckless operation. Sentence: 30 days jail, 27 days suspended, $250 fine. Another charge of OVI and speeding were dismissed.
Sept. 17
Octavio O. Sanchez, 37, Dayton, pleaded guilty to OVI first-offense. Sentence: 180 days jail, 170 days suspended, $750 fine, $375 suspended, one-year license suspension. She was also fined $100 for no operator’s license. Charges of left of center and improper backing were dismissed.
Luis F. Mendez, 28, Leipsic, pleaded guilty to driving without a valid license. Sentence: 180 days jail, suspended, $200 fine. A charge of driving under suspension was dismissed
Putnam County Municipal judgments
Sept. 10
Village of Ottawa, default judgment v. Augustine S. Mendez, Ottawa, $1,235.31, plus interest and costs.
Midwest Financial Services, Ltd., default judgment v. Dustin Arnett, plus interest and costs.
Tammy Warnement, small claims v. Monica C. Wiseman, plus interest and costs.
Sept. 12
SAC Finance, Inc., Cincinnati, default judgment v. Dakota Henry, Continental, $13,727.40, plus interest of $1,677.74, plus interest and costs.
Mariner Finance, LLC, Lima, default judgment v. Melissa A. Lytle, Pandora, $2,697.54, plus interest and costs.
Credit Acceptance Corp., Southfield, Mich., default judgment v. Christopher A. Lester, Ottawa, $11,790.26, plus interest and costs.
Sept. 13
Blanchard Valley Medical Practice, LLC, Findlay, default judgment v. Emily M. Melroy, Pandora, $818.46, plus interest and costs.
Blanchard Valley Hospital, Findlay, $1,006.49, default judgment v. Emily M. Melroy, Pandora, plus interest and costs.
