By Meladi Brewer

DailyAdvcoate.com

GREENVILLE — Carrie D. Mendenhall held on allegations of noncompliance.

Mendenhall, 30, of Greenville, entered a not guilty plea to allegations of noncompliance with her community supervision. Mendenhall had been sentenced in August of last year for Burglary, and after spending time at the Ohio Rehabilitation and Corrections facility, was granted judicial release in March of this year.

The allegations placed upon her are failure to report since July, failing to maintain employment, failing to notify a change of address, and tested positive for drugs on May 1 and July 29. The court appointed Nicole Pohlman to represent her, and due to Mendenhall’s history of drug use and the state’s disposition to make sure she appears for court while maintaining a clear communication with her attorney, a $15,000 bond was imposed.

Mendenhall’s next court appearance will be Oct. 3 for her probable cause and disposition hearing.

Eric J. Ridgway, of Greenville, entered a guilty plea to the amended charge of theft, a misdemeanor of the first degree. He faced a maximum of 180 days in jail and a $1,000 fine, or he faced community supervision of up to 60 months.

State Attorney Jesse Green gave a recommendation for sentencing stating the state would ask for the 180 days in jail without a fine so Ridgway can utilize the money to pay restitution of $5,425.64 to Marco’s Pizza. Ridgway apologized to the court and said he is embarrassed to be sitting in the courtroom, as this is his first offense.

“I acknowledge my actions were not bright, and I should have used better thinking,” Ridgway said. “I’m ashamed to even be here in front of you. I want to pay them back and make things right.”

Judge Hein sentenced him to 90 days suspended and placed him on community supervision for up to 60 months.

“You don’t get a pass by not going to jail, you get an opportunity,” Judge Hein said.

The 90 days suspended will loom over Ridgway’s head until the restitution is paid off and he is released from community supervision. Failure to comply could result in the jail time sentence being imposed. Ridgway must also complete 50 hours of community supervision.

Gary B. Williams III, 28, of Greenville, entered a guilty plea to the amended charge of possession of methamphetamine, a felony of the third degree. Williams had three pending cases against him. The probation case was dismissed as the possession case would find him guilty of the third case regarding an In Lieu of Conviction (ILC) for aggravated possession of drugs, a fifth degree felony, and the guilty charge would lead to the picking of the guilty plea in the ILC.

For the aggravated possession of methamphetamine case, Williams faced a maximum of three years in prison and a $10,000 fine, all of which is not mandatory; however, a $5,000 minimum mandatory fine would be imposed. In the ILC case, he faced 12 months incarceration and a $2,500 fine. There is also restitution of $205.

Williams spoke to the court regarding sentencing stating he has been clear and sober for some time, and he does not want to go to jail due to temptations.

“While being in jail, I’ve heard there are a lot of drugs in prison, and I don’t want to be anywhere near them,” Williams said.

Judge Hein sentenced Williams to pay court costs in the ILC case, and he was sentenced to 18 months with 79 days credit for the possession charge. The jail staff could look at Williams as someone who could be granted transitional control after six months allowing him to get out earlier. The $5,000 mandatory minimum fine was imposed, but an affidavit will be filed on Williams behalf to waive the fee due to financial restraints.

To contact Daily Advocate Reporter Meladi Brewer, email [email protected].