Greenville Speedway robbery suspect arraigned in court

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GREENVILLE — A Piqua man arrested for robbing a local gas station was arraigned Tuesday in Darke County Common Pleas Court.

Eric D. Higgins Jr., 28, faces a second-degree felony Robbery charge after holding up the Speedway gas station on Wagner Street February 21 in Greenville. He was arrested the following day in Piqua. Incarcerated at the Darke County Jail, he appeared in court via video teleconference.

Higgins asked the court to appoint him an attorney. Common Pleas Court Judge Jonathan Hein tentatively appointed defense attorney Randall Breaden to represent him, although Higgins has representation by a public defender in Miami County, where he faces a charge of robbing the Kroger store in Piqua on February 6.

Darke County Prosecuting Attorney R. Kelly Ormsby asked the court to give Higgins $150,000 bond in addition to the $150,000 bond already in place in Miami County. Hein set his bond at $100,000.

A not guilty plea was entered on his behalf. If convicted, he faces up to eight years in prison and a $15,000 fine. His next court appearance is scheduled for May 1.

Four others appeared in court Tuesday.

Clint E. Reichert, 40, of Minster, was arraigned via teleconference on four felony drug counts. He was arrested March 17 in Greenville and charged with two third-degree felony counts of Aggravated Trafficking, a fourth-degree Aggravated Trafficking charge and a second-degree Aggravated Possession charge, all involving Methamphetamines.

If convicted on all counts, Reichert could face more than 15 years in prison and fines up to $40,000.

Reichert asked to be released on his own recognizance, but Darke County Assistant Prosecutor James Bennett asked that his bond of $100,000 be continued, which Judge Hein approved. Reichert is being represented by defense attorney Jose Lopez. A not guilty plea was entered on his behalf by the court. His next court appearance is April 24.

Michelle R. Caulfield, 32, of Greenville, appeared in court to plead guilty to two drug charges.

Represented in court by defense attorney Joe Latas, Caulfield agreed to plead guilty to a fourth-degree felony count of Aggravated Trafficking of Methamphetamine and a third-degree felony count of Aggravated Possession of Methamphetamine, dating back to November. Per the plea agreement, the state dropped a second Trafficking count.

Ormsby told the court the prosecution would seek community control sanctions with jail time credited for time already served, court costs, and community service. Further, the state would agree to a suspended prison term. The prosecution is also seeking restitution of $635. As part of the plea, Caulfield agreed to cooperate by testifying in current or future drug investigations by the Darke County Sheriff’s Office.

By pleading guilty, Caulfield will likely avoid more than four years in prison and up to $15,000 in fines. Her sentencing will be May 15.

Wayne J. Becker, 35, of Greenville, appeared via teleconference from the Mercer County Jail to be arraigned on two fifth-degree felony charges of Trafficking Heroin. If convicted, he could be imprisoned for up to one year and fined $2,500 on each count.

Judge Hein appointed attorney Matthew Pierron to represent Becker in court. He was released on his own recognizance. His next court appearance is April 20.

Sierra T. Hill, 30, of Greenville, also appeared via teleconference from the Mercer County Jail. Represented by defense attorney Dave Rohrer, she pleaded guilty to two drug charges (Trafficking Heroin and Aggravated Trafficking in Methamphetamine) and one fifth-degree felony count of Forgery.

As part of a plea deal, the prosecution agreed to drop a fourth-degree felony count of Trafficking and to recommend community control, community service, court costs and restitution. If convicted, she could face up to four years in prison and $12,500 in fines. She will be sentenced May 8.

Eric Higgins (left) was arraigned Tuesday in Darke County Common Pleas Court via video teleconferencing. Higgins is charged with robbing the Speedway gas station in Greenville February 21. He faces another robbery charge in Miami County.
http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/34/2017/03/web1_Higgins-8124-PRINT-2.jpgEric Higgins (left) was arraigned Tuesday in Darke County Common Pleas Court via video teleconferencing. Higgins is charged with robbing the Speedway gas station in Greenville February 21. He faces another robbery charge in Miami County. Erik Martin | The Daily Advocate
Four others appear in court on drug charges

By Erik Martin

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The writer may be reached at 937-569-4314. Join the conversation and get updates on Facebook search Darke County Sports or Advocate 360. For more features online go to dailyadvocate.com

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