Fulton grand jury returns indictments against number of defendants

WAUSEON — Fulton County grand jury has returned indictments against a number of defendants, according to the Fulton County Prosecutor’s Office.

Among those indicted were:

• Robert Aleshire, 69, Delta, for rape, a first-degree felony; gross sexual imposition, a fourth-degree felony; and importuning, a fifth-degree felony. The indictment alleges that on June 26, 2023 he engaged in sexual conduct with a girl between the ages of 13 and 16, and engaged in forced sexual contact with the victim on July 13. He has pleaded not guilty to the charges and was given a personal-recognizance bond. A pretrial hearing is scheduled on Oct. 16.

• Fredi Plaza, 31, Dallas, Texas, for felonious assault with specifications for the forfeiture of a weapon and property; and complicity in the commission of an offense, each a second-degree felony. The charges allege that on Aug. 4 he caused serious physical harm to the victim by means of a deadly weapon or dangerous ordnance, and aided or abetted another person in committing the offense of felonious assault. He has pleaded not guilty and his personal-recognizance bond was continued. A pretrial hearing is scheduled on Sept. 24.

• Francis Schneider, 74, Lambertville, Mich., for engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity, a second-degree felony; and theft, a fifth-degree felony. He allegedly obtained, or exerted control over, property or services by deception while employed by, or associated with, any enterprise that conducted or participated in the affairs of the enterprise through a pattern of corrupt activity or the collection of an unlawful debt from Dec. 26 through April 18. He has pleaded not guilty to the charges and his $25,000 bond was continued. A pretrial hearing is scheduled on Oct. 9.

• Landen Welch, 20, Perrysburg, for improperly discharging a firearm at or into a habitation or school safety zone, a second-degree felony with firearm and forfeiture specifications; three counts of improperly handling firearms in a motor vehicle, fourth- and fifth-degree felonies with specifications for forfeiture of property; and OVI, a first-degree misdemeanor. The charges allege that on July 15 he unlawfully transported a loaded firearm in a vehicle, discharged the firearm at or into an occupied structure and operated a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. He has pleaded not guilty to the charges and bond was set at $100,000. A pretrial hearing is scheduled on Oct. 16.

• Draven Wheeler-Hartson, 21, Wauseon, for failure to comply with an order or signal of a police officer, a third-degree felony; unlawful operation of a motor vehicle with a suspended license, a first-degree misdemeanor; and driving under suspension, a first-degree misdemeanor. The charges allege that on Aug. 1 he operated a motor vehicle and fled from a law enforcement officer’s traffic stop while his license was under suspension. He has pleaded not guilty and his personal-recognizance bond was continued. A pretrial hearing is scheduled on Oct. 16.

• Christopher Nisely, 44, Archbold, for failure to comply with an order or signal of a police officer, a third-degree felony; unauthorized use of a vehicle, a first-degree misdemeanor; two counts of OVI, each an unclassified misdemeanor; and driving under suspension, a first-degree misdemeanor. The charges allege that on Aug. 17 he fled from a law enforcement officer’s traffic stop while operating a vehicle without the owner’s consent, was under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs, and was driving with a suspended operator’s license. He has pleaded not guilty to the charges and bond was set at $25,000. A pretrial hearing was scheduled for Oct. 11.

• Daniel Medina, 26, Wauseon, for menacing by stalking, a fourth-degree felony; five counts of pandering obscenity, each a fifth-degree felony; and two counts of sexual conduct with an animal, each a second-degree misdemeanor. He allegedly created, reproduced, or published obscene material, knowing that such material was to be used for commercial exploitation or that such material would be publicly disseminated or displayed, menaced a person and engaged in sexual conduct with an animal on two occasions.

• Rusty Thompson, 45, Cecil, for two counts of receiving stolen property, each a fifth-degree felony. The indictment alleges that he possessed a stolen motor vehicle license plate. He has pleaded not guilty to the charges and bond was set at $1,000. A pretrial hearing was scheduled for Sept. 27.

• Thomas Barker, 33, Swanton, for failure to verify address and failure to provide notice of change of address, each a second-degree felony. The charges allege that from Aug. 1-13 he failed to verify or report his current residence to the sheriff’s office as a requirement of his sexual offender status.

• Robert Lauharn, 46, Wauseon, for vandalism and harassment with a bodily substance, each a fifth-degree felony. He allegedly threw or expelled a bodily substance at a law enforcement officer on Aug. 9 and damaged sheriff’s office property.