GREENVILLE – Darke County Common Pleas Court heard cases involving drugs, burglary, probation violation and obstruction of justice Tuesday. Judge Jonathan P. Hein presided.
Sterling Seiler, 25, of Greenville, was sentenced on charges of illegal conveyance of drugs of abuse onto grounds of a detention facility, a third-degree felony, and aggravated menacing, a first-degree misdemeanor. The charges stem from an incident in which trace amounts of methamphetamine were allegedly found on the defendant’s person while visiting the Darke County Jail. Seiler’s previous record includes breaking and entering and fugitive from justice charges. He was convicted of the current charge Sept. 4 of this year.
Judge Hein sentenced Seiler to 60 months probation. He must pay court costs, seek and maintain employment, abstain from the use of alcohol or illegal drugs and complete community service hours.
Robert Derringer, 38, of Arcanum, appeared on charges of burglary, a second-degree felony, and receiving stolen property, a fourth-degree felony. The charges carry combined penalties of nine years in prison and a potential $20,000 fine. The defendant pleaded not guilty and was released on his own recognizance. His next court appearance is a pre-trial conference to be held Nov. 5.
Brandy Minnich, 42, of Greenville, appeared on charges of obstruction of justice, a fifth-degree felony carrying penalties of up to 12 months in prison and a potential $2,500 fine. The charges stem from an incident in September of this year.
Minnich also was arrested in June after reportedly presenting a false name and other identifying information to members of the Ohio State Highway Patrol. Minnich pleaded not guilty and was released on her own recognizance. Her next court appearance is a status conference to be held Nov. 15.
Steven Stith, age 54, of Celina, appeared on charges of violating the terms of his probation. As previously reported in The Daily Advocate, Stith had entered a guilty plea and agreed to seek treatment for substance abuse in lieu of conviction for possession of heroin, a fifth-degree felony, and driving under the influence, a first-degree misdemeanor. While authorities indicated Stith was initially compliant, he had recently failed to report to the probation office, as well as testing positive for cocaine and THC and failing to make restitution payments, further violating the terms of his plea agreement.
“He’s simply not done what you told him to do, your honor,” Prosecutor Jesse Green told Judge Hein during Stith’s previous appearance on these charges in February.
Judge Hein found the defendant guilty and ordered Stith to return to drug intervention treatment.
David Hampton, 37, of Union City, was arraigned on charges of domestic violence, a third-degree felony carrying penalties of up to three years in prison and a possible $10,000 fine. Hampton’s previous record includes charges of domestic violence and assault dating back to at least 2001, as well as charges of domestic battery in Randolph County, Indiana. The defendant pleaded not guilty and was released on his own recognizance. Hampton is already on probation for a similar charge.
Gary Morris, 30, of Dayton, was arraigned on charges of aggravated possession of drugs, a third-degree felony, and receiving stolen property, a fourth-degree felony. Morris pleaded guilty and was granted bond in the amount of $15,000.
