Charges Stem from Alleged Relationship with Juvenile Female
The Times Bulletin
September 21, 2006
http://www.timesbulletin.com/main.asp?SectionID=2&SubSectionID=4&ArticleID=139442&TM=463.077
Van Wert - Former local youth pastor Aaron D. Rediger, 28, was back in court Wednesday morning for the extension of his arraignment hearing.
He first appeared in Van Wert County Court of Common Pleas on Sept. 12, charged with three counts of sexual battery.
Rediger entered a plea of not guilty to the charges against him, which stem from allegations of a sexual relationship between Rediger and a 17-year-old female from the youth group at Liberty Baptist Church. The church immediately dismissed Rediger and recalled his ordination and ministerial license.
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Former Liberty Baptist Church youth pastor Aaron Rediger (green) signs paperwork at a previous court appearance. Rediger is now out on bond and appeared in Van Wert County Common Pleas Court Wednesday morning to be arraigned on three counts of sexual battery. |
Representing Rediger in court was an attorney from the office of Bill Kluge in Lima. The arraignment had been continued for more than a week while Rediger hired a lawyer.
Judge Charles Steele released Rediger on bond and set a pretrial hearing for October 2.
Also on Tuesday, Alexander Dohner, 21, Butler, Indiana, was sentenced to two years of community control on a charge of possession of methamphetamine, a fifth degree felony. Dohner was arrested during a traffic stop by the Van Wert City Police Department on March 27, after methamphetamine was found in Dohner's possession.
Dohner will have to spend 30 days in jail, complete a substance abuse assessment and pay $250 as partial reimbursement for his court appointed attorney. A six-month prison term was deferred pending the successful completion of the community control program.
Former Van Wert resident, Gary Sterrett, 65, Toledo, was sentenced to one year of community control following a conviction on a misdemeanor count of domestic violence. Sterrett was arrested by Van Wert City Police when he allegedly caused physical harm to his wife at her home. Sterrett is presently attending an anger management program in Toledo.
A 180-day jail sentence was deferred pending Sterrett's successful completion of community control. He was ordered to spend 30 days in the Van Wert County Jail, pay partial reimbursement of $250 for his court appointed attorney.
Jonathon J. Slates, 20, Van Wert, was placed on three years of community control on charges of obstructing official business and assault, in conjunction with his involvement in a "mini riot" at the Van Wert County Correctional Facility on May 15th. According to a Sheriff's Office investigation, Slates allegedly assaulted one of the corrections officers while they were trying to stop the disturbance.
Slates was sentenced to 30 days in jail after completion of a current sentence from a misdemeanor charge. Judge Steele also ordered Slates to perform 200 hours of community service, make partial reimbursement of $250 for his court appointed attorney. Two twelve-month prisons sentences which are to run concurrently were deferred pending the successful completion of the community control program.
Joel W. Owen of Van Wert entered a guilty plea to one count of felony vandalism and one count of theft. A Van Wert Ci#y Police investigation stated that Owen caused serious physical damage to a West Main Street apartment on Aug. 22 and stole a credit card on Aug. 24 from Paul J. Moorman. A presentence investigation was ordered and sentencing was scheduled for Nov. 1.
Kara J. Cooper of Van Wert, entered a guilty plea to one count of theft of drugs and then asked to enter a treatment program in lieu of conviction. Judge Steele granted her motion for treatment and ordered her to be under the supervision of the Van Wert County Adult Probation Department for one year while she completes the rehabilitation program.
If Cooper successfully completes the treatment program, no felony conviction will be entered onto her record.
Lisa Kraft, of Lima, entered a not guilty plea to two counts of forgery. She was released on a $5,000 unsecured personal surety bond. A pretrial hearing has been set for Sept. 27.
Paul D. Mossburg, Huntington, Indiana, pled not guilty to a charge of failure to appear, a fourth degree felony. Mossburg failed to appear for a sentencing hearing on July 12. He is being held without bond since he is presently in prison on a charge of grand theft. A pretrial hearing was scheduled for Sept. 27.
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