MERCER COUNTY COMMON PLEAS COURT
Court Proceedings — November 9, 2026 through November 13, 2026
Judge Matthew K. Fox conducted the following criminal proceedings in Mercer County Common Pleas Court, General Division, for the week of November 9, 2026
GUILTY PLEAS, SENTENCINGS, AND DISPOSITIONS
State v. Douglas Painter
Painter pleaded guilty to a fourth-degree felony of grand theft and a fourth-degree misdemeanor of criminal trespass in an agreement with the State that it would dismiss the remaining charges. The Court imposed the parties’ joint recommended sentence of 180 days in jail and ordered Painter to pay $299.88 in restitution.
State v. Robert Candidus
The Court sentenced Defendant Candidus to 36 months in prison for attempted identity fraud, a third-degree felony, and 12 months in prison for identity fraud, a fifth-degree felony. The Court imposed these sentences, the maximum available under the law, to be served consecutively, for a total of 48 months in prison.
State v. Travis Borgerding
At sentencing for a fifth-degree felony drug possession offense, the Court ordered defendant to serve up to 6 months at the WORTH Center, a community-based correctional facility, followed by additional residential and non-residential community control sanctions for 3 years
State v. Michael Wilson
Michael Wilson pleaded guilty to a fifth-degree felony aggravated possession of drugs offense, an amended fourth-degree felony domestic-violence offense, and a first-degree misdemeanor domestic violence offense. The Court scheduled sentencing for December 9, 2026. Defendant remains incarcerated, subject to posting bond.
State v. Duggar
Devin Duggar pleaded guilty to a fifth-degree felony aggravated possession of drugs offense. The Court scheduled sentencing for December 9, 2026, and adopted the parties’ joint request to release Duggar on a personal/own recognizance bond with conditions.
State v. Joshua Rohn
The defendant admitted violating the terms of Community Control Sanctions and was ordered to serve a 90-day jail sentence.
State v. Albert Behm
Behm appeared for sentencing before Visiting Judge Jonathan P. Hein, retired. Having previously pleaded guilty to 4 counts of Attempted Illegal Use of Minor or Impaired Person in Nudity-Oriented Material or Performance, felonies of the third degree, Judge Hein imposed the agreed recommended sentence negotiated between the State of Ohio and Defendant, ordering Defendant to serve 120 days in the Mercer County Jail and also ordering supervision for 5 years.
ARRAIGNMENTS AND OTHER MATTERS
State v. Gabriel Nichols
Nichols appeared, pleaded not guilty, and remains incarcerated, subject to posting bond.
State v. Dustin L. Gross
On November 9, 2026, Defendant waived his speedy time trial rights, and the Court set the matter for hearing on Defendant’s Motion to Suppress for Monday, December 7, 2026, at 1:00 p.m.
State v. Cerina Burker
Burker waived the preliminary hearing; the Court bound the case over to the next session of the Mercer County Grand Jury; and the Court adopted the State and Defendant’s joint request to release Defendant on a personal/own recognizance bond subject to Court-ordered conditions.
State v. Meel Rowa
At Initial Appearance on the State Complaint, the Court reviewed with Defendant the charge against him, a fourth-degree felony of gross sexual imposition. The Court adopted the State’s bond request of $75,000.00, subject to 10% with bond conditions.
