GREENVILLE — A Union City, Ohio, man pleaded “not guilty” to burglary and assault charges Wednesday in Darke County Common Pleas Court via video teleconference from the Darke County Jail.
Tyler J. Merritt, 32, was arraigned on one first-degree felony count of aggravated burglary and one first-degree misdemeanor assault charge.
He was represented in court by defense attorney Matthew Pierron. Darke County Prosecuting Attorney R. Kelly Ormsby spoke for the state.
Merritt was arrested August 19 following an incident in which he and a co-defendant, Jesse M. Cheadle, 27, of Gettysburg, Ohio, entered a Union City residence and attacked a man there. The victim’s injuries were not life threatening. The two were later apprehended by Darke County deputies at a Gettysburg residence.
If convicted, Merritt faces up to 11 years in prison and a $20,000 fine for the burglary charge and six months in jail and a $1,000 fine for the assault.
According to court records, Merritt was sentenced to six years in prison in 2009 on robbery and grand theft convictions. Since his release, he has accrued misdemeanor convictions for domestic violence threats and driving under suspension.
Merritt is currently in custody of the Darke County Jail. He is being held on $50,000 bond. His next court appearance is November 9, with a trial date set for November 21 and 22.
