Staff Report – News Democrat
Five people were recently sentenced to prison terms by Common Pleas Court Judge Scott Gusweiler.
James Hilderbrand
On February 25, a 5 Count indictment was filed against James Edward Hilderbrand in Case No. 2016-2047.
The indictment charged Count 1, Illegal Assembly or Possession of Chemicals, and Count 2, Tampering With Evidence,  both felonies of the 3rd degree,  Counts 3 & 4, Aggravated Possession of Drugs, both felonies of the 5th  degree,  and Count 5, Illegal Use or Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, a misdemeanor 4.
On April 15, 2016, Defendant entered a plea of guilty to Count 2 before Brown County Common Pleas Judge Scott T. Gusweiler.
On that same date Judge Gusweiler sentenced Mr. Hilderbrand to 18 months in the Ohio Department of Corrections.  Counts 1, 3, 4 & 5 were dismissed.
Michael Niederhelman
On April 14, a hearing was held for Violation of Community Control Sanction that was previously imposed on March 10, 2014 against Defendant, Michael Niederhelman in Case No. 2014-2001.
The Defendant has been convicted of Illegal Assembly or Possession of Chemicals for the Manufacture of Drugs, a felony of the 3rd degree.
Defendant was placed on community control for a period of 2 years, which subsequently was extended an additional year, and was notified at that time that a violation of the community control order could result in a prison term of 30 months.  Defendant waived hearing and admitted to the violations contained in the Probation Department Report.
On that same date Judge Gusweiler sentenced Mr. Niederhelman to 30 months in the Ohio Department of Corrections.
John Owens, Jr.
On April 14, a hearing was held for Violation of Community Control Sanction that was previously imposed on January 7, 2015 against Defendant, John F. Owens, Jr. in Case No. 2014-2252.
The Defendant has been convicted of 2 counts of Trafficking in Marijuana, a felony of the 5th degree.
Defendant was placed on community control for a period of 2 years, which was subsequently extended an additional year and was notified at that time that a violation of the community control order could result in a prison term of 10 months on each count to be served consecutively.
Defendant waived hearing and admitted to the violations contained in the Probation Department Report.

On that same date Judge Gusweiler sentenced Mr. Owens to 10 month on each count, to be served consecutively, in the Ohio Department of Corrections.

Adam Spears
On November 19, 2015 a 2 Count indictment was filed against Adam D. Spears in Case No. 2015-2324.
The indictment charged Count 1, Rape, a felony of the 1st degree, and Count 2, Gross Sexual Imposition, a felony of the 3rd degree.
On April 14, 2016, Defendant entered a plea of guilty to Count 1 (as amended), Attempt (Rape), before Brown County Common Pleas Judge Scott T. Gusweiler.
On that same date Judge Gusweiler sentenced Mr. Spears to a confinement of 5 years in the Ohio Department of Corrections and defendant was apprised of the reporting requirements as a Tier III Sex Offender.  Count 2 is dismissed.
Robin Strunk
On December 7, a 2 Count indictment was filed against Robin O. Strunk in Case No. 2015-2391.
The indictment charged Count 1, Illegal Assembly or Possession of Chemicals for the Manufacture of Drugs and Count 2, Conspiracy, both felonies of the 3rd degree.
On April 14, 2016 Defendant entered a plea of guilty to Count 1 before Brown County Common Pleas Judge Scott T. Gusweiler.
On that same date Judge Gusweiler sentenced Ms. Strunk to 3 years of community control sanctions, a license suspension for 12 months and report weekly to the Probation Department. Count 2 is dismissed.