Crescent-News.com

Defiance County grand jury indicts 17

Todd Helberg
January 21, 2009

A Defiance County grand jury has indicted 17 persons, according to Prosecutor Morris Murray.

Indicted were:

-- Derren Fenter, 18, 212 Main St., robbery, a second-degree felony; Nicholas Krontz, 18, Napoleon, robbery, a second-degree felony; and Dustin Swanson, 18, 1284 Myrna St., complicity in the commission of robbery, a second-degree felony; Chad Williams, 18, 17227 Hill Road, complicity in the commission of robbery, a second-degree felony. Authorities allege that Fenter and Krontz used or threatened the immediate use of force against a victim at a Defiance business while demanding property from the victim. Authorities further allege that Swanson and Williams aided and abetted Fenter and Krontz in the commission of the offense.

-- Phillip Copeland, 42, 530 Degler St., trafficking in crack cocaine, a third-degree felony; possession of cocaine, a fifth-degree felony; and aggravated possession of drugs (ecstasy), a fifth-degree felony.

-- Dereck Davenport, 26, 708 Holly Glen, domestic violence, a third-degree felony. Authorities allege that Davenport caused, or attempted to cause, physical harm to a family or household member, having had two or more prior domestic violence convictions.

-- Wetzel Matney Jr., 59, 20341 Kiser Road, abduction, a third-degree felony; intimidation of a victim or witness in a criminal case, a third-degree felony; and domestic violence, a fourth-degree felony. The indictment alleges that Matney caused, or attempted to cause, physical harm to a family or household member, having been convicted of domestic violence. Authorities further allege that Matney restrained the liberty of the victim under circumstances which created a risk of physical harm to the victim and then threatened the victim with harm if she reported the incident to law enforcement.

-- Michael Perez, 43, 1213 Ayersville Ave., domestic violence, a third-degree felony. Authorities allege that he caused, or attempted to cause, physical harm to a family or household member, having had two or more domestic violence convictions.

-- Daniel Simmons, 45, 25087 Mekus Road, having weapons while under disability, a third-degree felony. He was allegedly found in possession of a firearm during a traffic stop, which is prohibited due to his previous drug convictions.

-- George Adkins, 20, 810 Jefferson Ave., trafficking in marijuana, a fourth-degree felony.

-- Ryan Frericks, 19, 728 Hopkins St., two counts of unlawful sexual conduct with a minor, each a fourth-degree felony. Authorities allege that Frericks engaged in sexual conduct with a female juvenile under the age of 16 on at least two occasions, being four or more years older than the victim.

-- Travis Giesige, 28, 511 Grover Ave., domestic violence, a fourth-degree felony. The indictment alleges that he caused, or attempted to cause, physical harm to a family or household member, having had a prior domestic violence conviction.

-- Blaine Heisler, 19, Ney, unlawful sexual conduct with a minor, a fourth-degree felony. He allegedly engaged in sexual conduct with a female juvenile under the age of 16, being four or more years older than the victim.

-- April Fox-Hogle, 28, address unknown, theft of drugs, a fourth-degree felony. She allegedly stole prescription drugs from a Defiance residence.

-- Ann Westhoven, 29, 810 Jefferson Ave., permitting drug abuse, a fourth-degree felony. Authorities allege that Westhoven allowed her residence to be used for drug trafficking.

-- Aaron Armstrong, 23, 2108 Evergreen Drive, theft, a fifth-degree felony. Authorities allege that Armstrong stole property worth more than $500 from a Defiance business.

-- Robert Taylor, 40, Chicago, two counts of non-support of dependents, each a fifth-degree felony. Authorities allege that Taylor failed to provide adequate support to his child.

The defendants were scheduled to be arraigned today in county common pleas court.