DARKE COUNTY — One man was sentenced and three others arraigned in Darke County Common Pleas Court Monday.
Gregory Pelletier, 54, had earlier pleaded guilty to a fourth-degree felony count of Grand Theft. He was accused of renting a Ford F-150 pickup from Enterprise Rent-A-Car and not returning it in April 2016. The vehicle was reportedly found in Indianapolis, stripped of its tires and other parts. Pelletier was arrested for the incident in September 2016.
Darke County Assistant Prosecutor Deborah Quigley told the court that the state had not received a vehicle cost estimate from Enterprise, and therefore could not submit a recommendation for restitution. While noting the defendant’s extensive past criminal history in multiple states, the prosecution nonetheless declined to recommend a sentence.
Defense attorney Matthew Pierron noted Pelletier’s substance abuse and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder as factors in his history, and that his client had been receiving treatment through the Veteran’s Administration.
Common Pleas Court Judge Jonathan Hein told the defendant, “Congratulations Mr. Pelletier, you have the longest criminal history that [the Darke County Probation Department] has ever seen. It’s nothing to be proud of and all of it happened after your military service.”
Judge Hein sentenced Pelletier to serve 45 days in jail, with 17 days credited, or 28 days, and was ordered to report to the Darke County Jail by Monday evening to begin his sentence. He was also ordered to pay court costs.
Arraigned in court Monday were Matthew Pisano, 33, of Union City, Ohio; Bradley Whitehouse, 27, of Bradford, Ohio; and Nicholas Noggler, 22, of Fort Recovery, Ohio. “Not Guilty” pleas were entered for all three.
Pisano is charged with a third-degree felony Domestic Violence. If convicted, he faces up to three years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.
Whitehouse is facing a fourth-degree felony charge of Carrying a Concealed Weapon Without a License. He faces up to 18 months in prison and a $5,000 fine if convicted.
Noggler has been charged with fifth-degree felony counts of Aggravated Possession of Heroin and Aggravated Possession of Fentanyl. If convicted on both counts, he could be imprisoned up to two years and pay a maximum fine of $5,000. All three are free on bond or their own recognizance.