GREENVILLE — Darke County Common Pleas Court was the site of multiple sentencings Monday.
Blake Hilderbrand, 27, of Greenville, was arrested following a heroin-fueled crime spree in August and September. He was accused of victimizing both family members and the public, including burglarizing his grandmother’s home, stealing a firearm from his grandfather, stealing a vehicle from his aunt, and theft of blank checks from a woman.
Hilderbrand pleaded guilty to the charges in a prior court hearing. He was represented in court by defense attorney Dave Rohrer.
Darke County Prosecuting Attorney R. Kelly Ormsby asked the court to impose a 24-month prison sentence, plus restitution to the victims. The defense argued instead for substance abuse treatment at the MonDay program.
Members of Hilderbrand’s family, including his grandmother and aunt, spoke on his behalf in court, asking the judge not to send him to prison.
Common Pleas Court Judge Jonathan Hein sentenced Hilderbrand to 18 months months in prison on one count, and 116 days on another count, with 116 days credited for time served, plus post-prison supervision.
Others defendants were sentenced in court Monday.
Jerry Whitten, 48, of Ludlow Falls, Ohio, was sentenced to 60 months of community control for Driving Under the Influence. He also received six points on his license, must pay a $1,500 fine, pay court costs, and perform 75 hours of community service. He was credited with 121 days served in the Darke County Jail. Whitten also faces jail time in Miami County for the same offense.
Danny Helton, 45, of Elwood, Indiana, was sentenced to 60 months monitored supervision, credited with one day in jail, must pay court costs, and was ordered to pay $6,793.76 in back child support payments. He is already subject to community control in Randolph County, Indiana.
Cheryl Morris, 37, of Greenville, was sentenced to 60 months of community control, 30 days of jail deferred, must pay court costs, perform 100 hours of community service, and pay $75 per week in restitution to her uncle and ex-boyfriend, after pleading guilty to Identity Fraud. She was accused of racking up $18,000 in fraudulent credit card charges. She was also ordered to have no contact with her ex-boyfriend.
David Stephens, 36, of Hollansburg, Ohio, was sentenced to 30 days in jail with work release and 60 months community control on a felony assault charge after being found guilty of striking a paramedic who was treating him for injuries suffered while intoxicated. He must also pay court costs and perform 75 hours of community service.
Christopher Back, 47, of New Madison, Ohio, was sentenced to 60 days in the Darke County Jail and 60 days of electronically monitored house arrest after being found guilty of Driving Under the Influence. He will have 60 months of community control and must pay a $1,350 fine and court costs. In addition he must perform 75 hours of community service and had his driver’s license suspended for three years, with work driving privileges.
