EATON — A New Paris man was sentenced to four years incarceration on drunk driving-related charges in Preble County Common Pleas Court Wednesday afternoon. Judge Stephen R. Bruns presided.
Chad L. Peterson, 38, was sentenced on charges of operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, a third-degree felony. Peterson’s previous record includes more than three prior OVI convictions.
Peterson was arrested in December 2018, only four months after being released from prison on a previous OVI charge. Peterson was convicted of OVI and resisting arrest in November 2016 and sentenced to 21 months incarceration. He was released in August of 2018.
Attorney Brian Muenchenbach spoke in his client’s defense during Wednesday’s hearing.
“I know the state seems to think that he is hopeless, and we should just give up,” Muenchenbach said of the defendant. “But that’s not the purpose of our justice system.”
Muenchenbach asked for the minimum possible sentence in Peterson’s case — which commands a mandatory prison term — and also requested Peterson be given two weeks to settle his personal affairs before being taken into custody. Judge Bruns stated it was not his policy to grant such requests, however.
“I don’t think Mr. Peterson is hopeless, but the circumstances of his history and this case are troubling,” Bruns said before pronouncing sentence. “It’s hard for me to justify imposing a lesser sentence than what has already failed to get his attention.”
Bruns sentenced Peterson to four years incarceration, and also imposed a ten-year driver’s license suspension and $2,700 in fines.
“Frankly, there is just no other way to take the danger that he poses off the street,” Bruns said.
Anthony Carver Jr., 32, of West Alexandria, was sentenced on charges of breaking and entering. Carver pleaded guilty to the charges in June; additional counts of obstructing justice and theft were dismissed at that time in accordance with a plea agreement between Carver and the Preble County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office.
Carver’s previous record includes an arrest in May of 2016, along with three other men, in connection with a series of breaking and entering incidents in Camden; as well as charges of receiving stolen property and driving under suspension.
Attorney Muenchenbach claimed Carver and his girlfriend entered a residence they thought had been abandoned due to its condition. Carver had just been released on a previous charge, according to his attorney, and had nowhere else to go.
“That’s exactly what happened, Your Honor,” Carver told Judge Bruns when asked if he had anything further to add.
Bruns sentenced Carver to community control. He also ordered the defendant to undergo substance abuse treatment at Recovery and Wellness Centers of Midwest Ohio, to maintain employment, and to complete 100 hours of community service. Carver faces a suspended sentence of up to 12 months incarceration if he fails to complete the terms of his probation.
