Two cases headed to grand jury

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Among the felonies waived to a grand jury in Hillsboro Municipal Court on Thursday was a case charging a Hillsboro man with third-degree felony corruption of a minor.

The Times-Gazette previously reported that Terry L. Kaufman Jr., 42, allegedly engaged in sexual activity with a juvenile neighbor.

When Kaufman was last in court, Hillsboro Municipal Court Judge David H. McKenna said a warrant had previously been issued for Kaufman’s arrest in 2011. The judge said it was issued after Kaufman failed to complete ordered community service on a conviction for driving on a suspension.

On Thursday, Kaufman appeared for both a preliminary hearing on his felony as well as a probation violation on his 2011 case.

As per an agreement, he waived his preliminary hearing. Kaufman also admitted to his probation violation, according to defense attorney J.D. Wagoner.

As such, half of a 180-day jail sentence was scheduled for October. Kaufman was given credit for 14 days in jail and was released from custody on Thursday. He is on reporting probation. Kaufman is to have no contact with the alleged victim in his felony case or another reportedly involved party. He is prohibited from driving, records show.

On his probation violation, Kaufman will be on a curfew until previously ordered community service is complete and court costs paid. His probation was extended for an additional year, records add.

Also waiving her right to a preliminary hearing was Courtney J. Groves, 25, Washington C.H. She is charged with third-degree felony domestic violence and first-degree misdemeanor assault.

When Groves was in court last week an agency official told The Times-Gazette that the case represented the first domestic violence case involving a married same-sex couple.

As previously detailed by The Times-Gazette, this case was centered on a couple involved in a marriage that was performed just a few days earlier by McKenna.

The judge later said the case is likely the first felony case in Ohio involving a same-sex married couple. He said other domestic violence cases in the past have involved same-sex couples, but not married couples, since gay marriage was previously illegal in Ohio.

Both of Groves’ charges will go before a grand jury. Conditions of her bond remain the same.

In other cases, a furlough was revoked for Joshua Arnold, 26, Hillsboro. McKenna said Arnold’s name had come up during court proceedings on Wednesday, following which the judge ordered a drug screen.

The Times-Gazette previously reported that Arnold was sentenced to 540 days in jail on numerous charges from alleged car break-ins earlier this year.

He pled guilty to one count each of attempted theft and theft, and no contest to a remaining 11 charges.

Arnold was found guilty on all counts, and 180-day jail sentences were imposed on three different cases, with the “jail time consecutive” to each other, records state.

According to records, Arnold was furloughed into the day-reporting program earlier this month.

On Thursday, McKenna said Arnold failed the ordered drug screen for marijuana and methamphetamine.

Arnold requested weekly drug screens, adding, “I want the help.” He also said, “I know I’ve had a long, hard road … but if you give me one chance.”

The judge said the day-reporting program had been Arnold’s chance. “Less than two weeks into the program, you’re out committing felonies by using methamphetamine,” he added.

Arnold’s furlough was revoked, and a 455-day jail sentence began on Thursday.

Joshua Burris, 30, Obetz, was placed on a $2,000 bond following an arraignment for first-degree misdemeanor operating a vehicle under the influence (OVI). Records show that Burris is also charged with driving on an OVI suspension and failure to maintain control.

McKenna said the alleged offense occurred two weeks after Burris was convicted on a different OVI charge.

If Burris posts his bond, he must observe a curfew while the case is pending. He must also enroll in substance abuse counseling. Burris is prohibited from driving, records add. A pretrial is set for next month.

Also on Thursday, Robert Childers, 25, Hillsboro, entered an agreement on two second-degree misdemeanor charges for obstructing official business and resisting arrest.

Childers pled guilty to an amended and reduced charge of attempt to resist arrest, a third-degree misdemeanor. The other charge was dismissed. The state recommended a suspended sentence.

A 60-day jail sentence was suspended. Childers must pay half of a $500 fine and perform 60 hours of community service. He will be under the supervision of the probation department until that service is complete.

Larry Hutton, 19, Hillsboro, also entered an agreement, pleading guilty to second-degree misdemeanor possession of drug abuse instruments. A minor misdemeanor for possession of marijuana was dismissed.

Sentencing was deferred until December to give Hutton time to complete counseling at FRS. If he is compliant, the case will be dismissed.

An agreement was also reached for Christopher Swayne, 26, Hillsboro. He pled guilty to an amended and reduced charge of third-degree misdemeanor reckless operation. He originally faced a charge of OVI.

Accompanying charges for consumption of alcohol in a motor vehicle and parking at a cross walk were dismissed.

The state recommended a suspended sentence on the condition that Swayne complete a three-day driver intervention program. Wagoner told the court that his client had “no prior alcohol-related incidents.”

According to records, all but three days of a 60-day jail sentence were suspended, with credit given toward the intervention program. Swayne will have to pay a $500 fine.

A charge of fourth-degree misdemeanor menacing charge was dismissed for Donald Morris, 57, Bainbridge. The Times-Gazette previously reported that a court trial was scheduled for Morris.

On Thursday, the alleged victim failed to appear, court records show. As such, both the menacing charge, as well as a possible probation violation on a past reckless operation conviction, were dismissed.

Reach Sarah Allen at 937-393-3456, ext. 1680, or on Twitter @SarahAllenHTG.

Terry L. Kaufman Jr. is pictured with defense attorney J.D. Wagoner in Hillsboro Municipal Court on Thursday.
http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/33/2015/07/web1_TerryKaufmanJr.jpgTerry L. Kaufman Jr. is pictured with defense attorney J.D. Wagoner in Hillsboro Municipal Court on Thursday. Sarah Allen|The Times-Gazette
455-day furlough revoked after failed drug screen

By Sarah Allen

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