Rape case heading to grand jury

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Edward L. Conant Jr. is pictured with defense attorney Lee Koogler in Hillsboro Municipal Court on Thursday.

A charge of first-degree felony rape will go before a grand jury following the defendant’s waiver of a preliminary hearing Thursday in Hillsboro Municipal Court.

The Times-Gazette previously reported that Edward L. Conant Jr., 46, Hillsboro, allegedly “confessed to having repeated sexual conduct with (a) juvenile who was less than 10 years of age from the year 2010 to the year 2014.”

On Thursday, defense attorney Lee Koogler said Conant’s case was “discussed at length.”

Conant waived his preliminary hearing and the state agreed for his bond to remain the same at $75,000. If Conant posts that bond, he will be on electronic monitoring house arrest. He is to have no contact with the alleged victim.

Also appearing on a felony was Rebecca Ledford, 27, Blanchester. The Times-Gazette previously reported that she appeared on both a bench warrant as well as a felony charge earlier this month.

When she last appeared in court, Ledford had pending misdemeanor charges for possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug abuse instruments, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

On Thursday, Ledford entered an agreement. She pled guilty to second-degree misdemeanor possession of drug abuse instruments, which was amended and reduced from a fifth-degree felony charge of drug abuse.

The state recommended a suspended sentence on the condition that Ledford obtain counseling at FRS.

The other charges were dismissed. Koogler said there were “evidentiary issues” with those cases.

He added that “drugs have become an issue for (Ledford)” and that she is “desirous” to pursue treatment.

Ledford was given credit for 18 days in jail. The remaining 72 days of a 90-day jail sentence were suspended. She was placed on reporting probation. Ledford must pay half of a $500 fine.

In addition, her license was suspended for six months. She must also perform 40 hours of community service. Ledford was released from custody on Thursday.

In other cases, Kaleb Landrum, 23, Greenfield, appeared on a bench warrant.

The Times-Gazette previously reported that Landrum entered an agreement in April and pled guilty to attempting to purchase an illegal amount of pseudoephedrine, a second-degree misdemeanor.

At that time, Landrum was given credit for 36 days in jail. An additional 54 days of a 90-day jail sentence were suspended. Landrum was placed on reporting probation.

He was also ordered to have no contact with Walgreens, to obtain counseling at FRS, and to pay $500 of a $750 fine.

Court records show that a warrant was issued for Landrum’s arrest last month after an affidavit was filed by the probation department.

Landrum appeared on that warrant Thursday and was found guilty of a probation violation. He was sentenced to 10 days in jail. Landrum was given credit for two days. His probation was also extended for an additional year.

Also on Thursday, Joseph Scott, 47, Highland, entered an agreement on a total of four charges: first-degree misdemeanor assault, fourth-degree misdemeanor trespassing, and two counts of fourth-degree misdemeanor menacing.

As previously detailed by The Times-Gazette, Scott was charged after the alleged victim reported to the Highland County Sheriff’s Office in February that “a male subject came to her home, assaulted her, and threated her two sons,” according to an affidavit.

As per Thursday’s agreement, Scott pled guilty to two amended and reduced charges of minor misdemeanor disorderly conduct. The remaining trespassing and menacing charges were dismissed.

Defense attorney J.D. Wagoner said this case was “something (Scott) wants to put behind him.”

When asked if he had anything to say, Scott told the court, “I just learned a valuable lesson.”

Scott will have to pay a total of $150 in fines. He must stay away from the alleged victim.

An agreement was also reached for Eddie Everhart, 55, Hillsboro. He pled guilty to third-degree misdemeanor reckless operation, which was amended and reduced from first-degree misdemeanor operating a vehicle under the influence (OVI).

Defense attorney Bill Armintrout and Hillsboro Municipal Court Acting Judge Jeffrey Lyle both commented on Everhart’s overall driving record, which Lyle said was “excellent.”

A 60-day jail sentence was suspended on the condition that Everhart pay half of a $500 fine and complete a three-day driver intervention program. Four points will be added to his driving record.

A $1,000 bench warrant was issued for John Everhart, 34, Greenfield, after he failed to appear for a deferred sentencing on a theft charge.

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

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