SIDNEY – A local man originally facing charges in a multi-person counterfeiting case was sentenced on a lesser charge in Shelby County Common Pleas Court recently.
In other court action, a Dayton woman who allegedly helped juveniles break into cell phone stores, and a South Carolina man accused of stealing a local semi-truck, faced officials.
On Aug. 29, Kevin Smith, 42, 615 Michigan St., pleaded guilty to a charge of possessing criminal tools, a fifth-degree felony, through a negotiated plea agreement. Part of the deal was that prosecutors dropped a charge of engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity, a second-degree felony.
Judge James Stevenson placed Smith on five years community control, fined him $300 and assessed him the court costs. He also prohibited Smith from leaving the state without permission from his probation officer.
According to prosecutors, Smith became eligible for lesser charges through his cooperation regarding the state’s case against Robert Barga, of Sidney, who led local counterfeiting operations.
Smith’s charges stemmed from his activity in printing and distributing counterfeit money, possessing a printer for such use, and for destroying a printer that was used in the offenses. Smith was involved with the activities at his home from May 1 through Dec. 15, 2016.
Smith was one of six co-defendants, including his wife, Sherry Smith, 30, indicted for activities reportedly directed by Barga, Kevin Smith’s cousin. On July 24, Sherry Smith, through a plea-bargained result, was found guilty of possession of criminal tools. An additional count of engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity was dropped by prosecutors.
• Rikki E. Nooks, 20, Dayton, pleaded not guilty at her arraignment Nov. 2. She was charged with failure to comply with a police order to stop, a third-degree felony; and two counts of complicity to breaking and entering, both fifth-degree felonies.
According to court records, on Sept. 30, Nooks allegedly provide transportation to three juveniles who broke into Area Wireless, 2262 Michigan St., and AT&T, 2489 Michigan St., taking telephones. Following the break-ins, police attempted to stop Nooks who fled reaching 120 miles per hour before being apprehended.
She remains free on a $10,000 bond.
• Shane W. Archie, 35, Rock Hill, South Carolina, pleaded not guilty to a charge of unauthorized use of a vehicle, a fifth-degree felony, at his arraignment Nov. 2. He was released on a $4,000 bond.
Authorities allege Archie took a semi-truck from Continental Express Trucking in Sidney on April 15 after he was terminated due to a failed drug test. He was working for Continental as a driver.
According to court records, Archie went to the truck to collect personal belongings and was to be taken to a bus station for his return to South Carolina. Archie and his girlfriend, reportedly drove the rig heading south. The GPS system had been disconnected making it difficult for company officials to locate the truck.
• Cecil Lamont Archie, 31, Troy, was found guilty of trafficking in drugs, a fourth-degree felony, through plea negotiations. Archie was arrested selling cocaine near a school.
He will be sentenced on Dec. 11.
• Roger Gibson Jr., 26, 1200 S. Kuther Road, pleaded not guilty to one charge of burglary, a fourth-degree felony, at his arraignment recently. He was released on a $2,500 bond.
Gibson is accused of breaking into 803 ½ S. Main Ave., while a person was home. He was ordered to have no contact with the victim.
• Jesse Nelsen, 36, 626 Lynn St., plead guilty to attempted forgery through plea negotiations. He will be sentenced on Dec. 19.
On March 30, 2016, Nelsen passed a forged payroll check at Osgood State Bank in Fort Loramie.
• Erica Karbowski, 30, at large, pleaded guilty to possession of criminal tools through plea negotiations. She was found with items related to her use of heroin.
She will be sentenced on Dec. 19.
