Seven sentenced for various drug charges

Seven of the 20 people indicted on multiple drug charges in November were sentenced recently in Mercer County Common Pleas Court. Two men, both illegal aliens, face possible deportation while the others - four men and one woman - received community control sanctions or a suspended sentence.

Seven defendants were sentenced earlier. Of the remaining individuals indicted, one was deported back to his Mexican homeland and the whereabouts of the other is unknown. The remaining individuals await sentencing.

Judge Jeffrey Ingraham imposed the following sentences:

• Corey A. Bensing, 21, 525 S. Walnut St., Celina, was sentenced to community control sanctions and a stern admonishment from the judge after pleading guilty to two counts of trafficking in drugs, both fifth-degree felonies involving the sale of marijuana. Another count was dismissed during plea negotiations.

Under the terms of the sentence, he is to serve 90 days in the Mercer County Jail with 30 days to be completed immediately through the work release program and the remainder imposed in the event of a violation. The sanctions also include up to three months supervision, successful completion of a drug and alcohol treatment program, a six-month operator's license suspension and $720 restitution.

Ingraham noted he had tested positive on two occasions for marijuana use. "By the nature of your actions, the court wonders whether you are amenable to CCS," he added.

Bensing admitted having a "habitual addiction," and the judge responded "Then why did you wait four months to seek counseling?" The young man merely shrugged his shoulders.

• David M. Cassada, 23, of Sidney, was sentenced to three years CCS after pleading guilty to two counts of trafficking in drugs, both fifth-degree felonies. The offenses involved cocaine and Diazepam. Two additional charges were dismissed during plea negotiations.

The terms include a 12-month operator's license suspension, $940 restitution and successful completion of a drug treatment program.

• Aaron P. Chapman, 20, 6055 Meyer Road, Celina, was sentenced May 28 to CCS after pleading guilty to two counts of trafficking in drugs (marijuana and methamphetamine), fourth- and fifth-degree felonies. The state dismissed two similar charges during plea negotiations.

The terms include up to three years supervision, a six-month operator's license suspension and $500 restitution.

• John R. Dulebohn, 27, 232 S. Ash St., Celina, received a suspended 60-day jail sentence after pleading guilty to amended charge of an attempted offense involving counterfeit controlled substances, a first-degree misdemeanor. The original charge was a fifth-degree felony.

Ingraham suspended jail time on the conditions Dulebohn commit no criminal offenses during the coming year and pay court costs, assigned legal fees and $180 restitution by Nov. 22.

• Jose Osornio, 28, 804 Hierholzer St., Celina, has been sentenced to 12-month prison terms after he pleaded guilty to trafficking in drugs, all fifth-degree felonies. The time is to be served concurrently. An additional count was dismissed in exchange for a plea.

He must pay restitution totaling $640 and received credit for 150 days served during dependency of the case. The U.S. Immigration Service has issued a holder for possible deportation to his Mexican homeland.

• Juan Omar Guevara Salinas, 21, 611 Vining St., Celina, has been sentenced to concurrent 12-month prison sentences after pleading guilty to two counts of trafficking in drugs, both fifth-degree felonies. An additional count was dismissed during plea negotiations.

He must pay $540 restitution and received credit for 150 days served during dependency in the case. The Immigration Service has issued a holder for possible deportation to his Mexican homeland.

Salinas, who also goes by the names Juan Omar Salinas, Juan Guevara Salinas and Mark Salinas, is a first-time drug offender but Ingraham pointed out the court does not have the resources to supervise people in Mercer County illegally.

• Elaine N. Trigo, 25, 9554 U.S. 127, Celina, wept May 28 as the judge sentenced her to two years CCS. Other terms of probation include $270 restitution, a curfew, successful completion of an intensive counseling program and random testing for drug and/or alcohol use.

The mother of two pleaded guilty earlier to two counts of trafficking in drugs. Both offenses, which involved marijuana, occurred in early 2007. Two additional charges were dismissed during plea negotiations.

Defense attorney Joseph Benevidez admitted Trigo has been before the court previously, but added she has been doing well since her arrest. She reportedly sold "smokies" in order to buy more drugs

"You are on a very narrow road," Ingraham said. "If you stumble, you go to prison."

In the event of a violation, Trigo faces the possibility of consecutive 10-month prison sentences.
The investigation was conducted by the Grand Lake Task Force and involved offenses dating back to January 2007. The task force is comprised of personnel from sheriff's offices in Mercer and Auglaize counties as well as representatives of police departments in both counties.By Margie Wuebker
mwuebker@dailystandard.com

Seven of the 20 people indicted on multiple drug charges in November were sentenced recently in Mercer County Common Pleas Court. Two men, both illegal aliens, face possible deportation while the others - four men and one woman - received community control sanctions or a suspended sentence.

Seven defendants were sentenced earlier. Of the remaining individuals indicted, one was deported back to his Mexican homeland and the whereabouts of the other is unknown. The remaining individuals await sentencing.

Judge Jeffrey Ingraham imposed the following sentences:

• Corey A. Bensing, 21, 525 S. Walnut St., Celina, was sentenced to community control sanctions and a stern admonishment from the judge after pleading guilty to two counts of trafficking in drugs, both fifth-degree felonies involving the sale of marijuana. Another count was dismissed during plea negotiations.

Under the terms of the sentence, he is to serve 90 days in the Mercer County Jail with 30 days to be completed immediately through the work release program and the remainder imposed in the event of a violation. The sanctions also include up to three months supervision, successful completion of a drug and alcohol treatment program, a six-month operator's license suspension and $720 restitution.

Ingraham noted he had tested positive on two occasions for marijuana use. "By the nature of your actions, the court wonders whether you are amenable to CCS," he added.

Bensing admitted having a "habitual addiction," and the judge responded "Then why did you wait four months to seek counseling?" The young man merely shrugged his shoulders.

• David M. Cassada, 23, of Sidney, was sentenced to three years CCS after pleading guilty to two counts of trafficking in drugs, both fifth-degree felonies. The offenses involved cocaine and Diazepam. Two additional charges were dismissed during plea negotiations.

The terms include a 12-month operator's license suspension, $940 restitution and successful completion of a drug treatment program.

• Aaron P. Chapman, 20, 6055 Meyer Road, Celina, was sentenced May 28 to CCS after pleading guilty to two counts of trafficking in drugs (marijuana and methamphetamine), fourth- and fifth-degree felonies. The state dismissed two similar charges during plea negotiations.

The terms include up to three years supervision, a six-month operator's license suspension and $500 restitution.

• John R. Dulebohn, 27, 232 S. Ash St., Celina, received a suspended 60-day jail sentence after pleading guilty to amended charge of an attempted offense involving counterfeit controlled substances, a first-degree misdemeanor. The original charge was a fifth-degree felony.

Ingraham suspended jail time on the conditions Dulebohn commit no criminal offenses during the coming year and pay court costs, assigned legal fees and $180 restitution by Nov. 22.

• Jose Osornio, 28, 804 Hierholzer St., Celina, has been sentenced to 12-month prison terms after he pleaded guilty to trafficking in drugs, all fifth-degree felonies. The time is to be served concurrently. An additional count was dismissed in exchange for a plea.

He must pay restitution totaling $640 and received credit for 150 days served during dependency of the case. The U.S. Immigration Service has issued a holder for possible deportation to his Mexican homeland.

• Juan Omar Guevara Salinas, 21, 611 Vining St., Celina, has been sentenced to concurrent 12-month prison sentences after pleading guilty to two counts of trafficking in drugs, both fifth-degree felonies. An additional count was dismissed during plea negotiations.

He must pay $540 restitution and received credit for 150 days served during dependency in the case. The Immigration Service has issued a holder for possible deportation to his Mexican homeland.

Salinas, who also goes by the names Juan Omar Salinas, Juan Guevara Salinas and Mark Salinas, is a first-time drug offender but Ingraham pointed out the court does not have the resources to supervise people in Mercer County illegally.

• Elaine N. Trigo, 25, 9554 U.S. 127, Celina, wept May 28 as the judge sentenced her to two years CCS. Other terms of probation include $270 restitution, a curfew, successful completion of an intensive counseling program and random testing for drug and/or alcohol use.

The mother of two pleaded guilty earlier to two counts of trafficking in drugs. Both offenses, which involved marijuana, occurred in early 2007. Two additional charges were dismissed during plea negotiations.

Defense attorney Joseph Benevidez admitted Trigo has been before the court previously, but added she has been doing well since her arrest. She reportedly sold "smokies" in order to buy more drugs

"You are on a very narrow road," Ingraham said. "If you stumble, you go to prison."

In the event of a violation, Trigo faces the possibility of consecutive 10-month prison sentences.
The investigation was conducted by the Grand Lake Task Force and involved offenses dating back to January 2007. The task force is comprised of personnel from sheriff's offices in Mercer and Auglaize counties as well as representatives of police departments in both counties.