Balcom pleads guilty to bridge crash charges

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GREENVILLE — Two men entered guilty pleas and another was arraigned Monday in Darke County Common Pleas Court.

Randy Balcom, 37, of Rossburg, and his defense attorney, Dave Rohrer, entered into an agreement with the Darke County Prosecutor’s Office, agreeing to plead guilty to three charges in exchange for having three others dropped.

On January 23, Balcom stole a vehicle and led Darke County deputies on a chase through and around Greenville. The pursuit ended when Balcom crashed into the Mill Road bridge near Gettysburg.

He was originally charged with third-degree felony Failure to Comply, fourth-degree felony Grand Theft, first-degree misdemeanor Driving Under the Influence, and first-degree misdemeanor Theft. He also faced two fifth-degree felony Forgery counts stemming from an incident in August.

The court accepted Balcom’s guilty pleas on one Forgery count, one Failure to Comply count, and one DUI count. The other three charges were dropped. Balcom will be sentenced in court May 8.

Jason James, 39, previously of Arcanum and now living in Scioto County, agreed to plead guilty to one third-degree felony Burglary count while a first-degree misdemeanor count of Theft was dropped.

James, represented by Rohrer, has already served time for multiple burglaries committed in the area in 2015.

Darke County Assistant Prosecutor Deborah Quigley said the state would not oppose community control sanctions either locally or in Scioto County where James is currently on supervision. She did ask that restitution of $1,070 be made to the victims for property damage and loss of jewelry.

Common Pleas Court Judge Jonathan Hein accepted the plea agreement, sentencing James to 60 months of community control, payment of court costs, and restitution of $1,070.

A third man, Jeremy Bowman, 29, of Albany, Indiana, was arraigned in court on a fifth-degree felony charge of Heroin Possession. He was also represented by Rohrer in court, who entered a not-guilty plea on his behalf.

If convicted, Bowman faces a maximum sentence of one year in prison and a fine of $2,500. His next court appearance is April 7.

Balcom
https://www.dailyadvocate.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/web1_Balcom-mug-PRINT-2.jpgBalcom

Jason James (left, with defense attorney Dave Rohrer) pleaded guilty to Burglary in Darke County Common Pleas Court on Monday. He was sentenced to community control and required to pay restitution.
https://www.dailyadvocate.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/web1_James-8105-PRINT.jpgJason James (left, with defense attorney Dave Rohrer) pleaded guilty to Burglary in Darke County Common Pleas Court on Monday. He was sentenced to community control and required to pay restitution. Erik Martin | The Daily Advocate
2 other men arraigned on burglary, drugs

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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