By Jennifer Dearborn
David Stemple, Jr. appeared before the Honorable Judge Nelson with his attorney, Brent Easton. Stemple is charged with reckless driving, domestic assault, and two simple assault charges. On March 13, 2021 Officer Gidley of the Parsons City Police Department observed Stemple drive his car into the victims and then get out and start beating on the windows threatening to kill her and the other occupant of the vehicle. Stemple also had a passenger in his vehicle. The state extended a plea offer to Stemple, which he accepted. With his guilty plea to the misdemeanors, the felonies will be dropped. With the plea, Stemple will get probation. He will appear back in court on January 18, 2022 for his sentence hearing.
Jason William Hebb has been charged with one felony count Possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver meth and heroin. Hebb was arrested on January 27, 2021 after a routine traffic stop. Sheriff Kopec initiated a traffic stop for a cracked windshield. Hebb appeared to be nervous and when Kopec ran the license plate it was registered to a different vehicle. The inspection sticker was also registered to another vehicle. Hebb was also driving on a suspended license due to unpaid citations. When running his license Kopec learned that Hebb was currently wanted in Randolph County for felony possession with intent to deliver and felony Capias for failure to appear. Upon arresting Hebb and doing a pat down search Kopec found a bag of what was later identified as methamphetamine, a pipe for smoking meth, and $3,437.00 cash in Hebbs pocket. During a search of the vehicle, two bags of white powdery substances were discovered, one presumed to be meth and the other heroin, a bag of marijuana, six 30mg Oxy-codone pills, and five cell phones. Currently, Mr. Hebb has outstanding charges in Randolph County. The pre-trial date has been set for January 18, 2022. The trial will be held on February 1 and 2, 2022.
Eric Pennington walked into the courtroom in shackles and entered an Alford Plea, whereby the defendant does not admit guilt but acknowledges that there is enough evidence to convict him. With the Alford Plea he will have a felony conviction on his record. On March 19, 2021 Pennington put a pillow over the victim’s face and she feared she would die. He entered the Alford Plea on the charges of strangulation. Since this incident Pennington and the victim have worked out their differences. He also has a job waiting for him upon his release. Savannah Wilkins, prosecutor, agreed that the state would stand silent during sentencing. Judge Nelson suspended the one to five years incarceration to five years probation. Pennington also agreed to have no contact with the victim.