GREENVILLE — Matthew Unger, 29 of Greenville, was sentenced Jan. 23, via video conferencing from the Darke County Jail.
Unger was indicted for a July 5, 2016, attempt to cash Social Security checks belonging to his father, who was deceased. The amount was reported as $753. He was charged with two counts of Forgery, fifth-degree felonies. Unger pled guilty in a plea agreement to one count of Forgery. He was represented in court by Defense Attorney Matt Pierron.
Darke County Prosecuting Attorney R. Kelly Ormsby recommended community control sanctions with an order for $753 restitution to the Greenville National Bank. Pierron agreed with the state’s recommendation.
“If Unger was able to pay that restitution, we agreed to reduce the plea to a misdemeanor,” Pierron said. “However, Mr. Unger was unable to come up with the funds before that and the charge went to Forgery.”
Unger said some of the officers in the Darke County Jail recommended Nova Behavioral Health, in Dayton.
“It would help me in my situation really well,” Unger said. “It’s a good program – I have never been in any kind of program. I need to find a place for me to learn how to be alone with my dog and relax, not worry about what’s going on around me and settle down.”
Common Pleas Court Judge Jonathan Hein said he did not order the Nova House because they have to accept people and they have a back log. Hein said he would look into it, but in the meantime, Unger needed to find a place to live.
“A place where you are not hanging out with bad influences,” Hein said. “Even though you are in jail for 10 more days, doesn’t mean you should be a bump on a log. You have a lot of work to do. It’s a process, you have to make improvement all the time.”
Hein sentenced Unger to Community Control Sanctions. He will be under supervision for a period of 5 years. He also ordered 24 days in jail with 14 days credit. After jail release, Unger is to report under intensive supervision and seek and maintain employment. He is to pay court costs and state medical expenses, complete 75 hours of community service work and pay restitution of $753, over 3 years.
“If you go into the Nova house, I think it’s only for 30 days,” Hein said. “You have to find a place to stay.”
