Defiance County Prosecuting Attorney Morris Murray has announced the release of the following information regarding certain pending Criminal matters:
Prosecutor Murray has announced that 35-year-old Sebastian O. Guel, of Columbus, was sentenced to prison for Sexual Battery, a Felony of the Third Degree. Also sentenced to prison was 21-year-old Joe A. Mendez, of Defiance, for the offense of Domestic Violence, a Felony of the Third Degree.
Sebastian O. Guel-age 35-No Contest plea to Sexual Battery-F3, found Guilty and sentenced to 60 months at ODRC to be served consecutively to the term of imprisonment imposed in Richland Co. Common Pleas Court Case No. 2022CR0376, Was Classified as a Tier III sex offender which established lifetime registration requirements, jail credit for 21 days, costs (stayed until defendant is released from prison). According to Murray, between March 1, 2017, and September 1, 2017, at a residence on Mulligans Bluff Rd., in Ney, Guel engaged in sexual conduct with a juvenile.
Joe A. Mendez-age 21-No Contest plea to Domestic Violence-F3, found Guilty and sentenced to 24 months at ODRC to be served consecutively to the term of imprisonment imposed in Case No. 23 CR 15310, TPO dissolved, jail credit for 148 days, costs. According to Murray, on August 9, 2025, at his residence on Village Lane., in Defiance, Mendez caused or attempted to cause physical harm to a family or household member, and he has two prior convictions for offenses of violence against a family or household member.
THE FOLLOWING PERSONS WERE BROUGHT BEFORE THE DEFIANCE COUNTY COMMON PLEAS COURT FOR ARRAIGNMENT ON FELONY MATTERS:
Clinton B. Vanscoder-age 21–Not Guilty pleas, $10,000 cash bond w/10% allowed, pre-trial 1/27/26 @ 2:45 p.m.
Forest J. Hurley-age 38- Not Guilty pleas, $50,000 cash bond w/10% allowed, pre-trial 2/2/26 @ 1:45 p.m.
Travis F. Kates-age 38-Not Guilty pleas, $10,000 cash bond w/10% allowed, TPO & No Contact Order, pre-trial 2/2/26 @ 10:30 a.m.
Andrew S. Warner-age 28-Not Guilty plea, OR bond, pre-trial 2/12/26 @ 1:15 p.m.
THE FOLLOWING PERSONS HAVE RECENTLY ENTERED GUILTY OR NO CONTEST PLEAS IN THE DEFIANCE COUNTY COMMON PLEAS COURT:
Travis M. Hussey-age 39-Guilty pleas to Five Counts of Rape-F1’s, PSI ordered, sentencing 2/9/26 @ 10:30 a.m.
Loden Clark-age 19-Guilty plea to Importuning-F5, PSI ordered, sentencing 3/3/26 @ 2 p.m.
Loden Clark-age 19-Guilty pleas to Two Counts of Pandering Sexually-Oriented Matter Involving a Minor or Impaired Person-F4’s, PSI ordered, sentencing 3/3/26 @ 2 p.m.
PLEA/SENTENCING:
Kenneth A. Reed-age 64-Guilty plea to Aggravated Possession of Drugs-F5 and sentenced to 2 years CCS with 12 months at ODRC reserved in the event of a violation of CCS, no bars/alcohol, not possess or consume cannabis products, costs. (On July 5, 2025, during a traffic stop on Power Dam Rd., in Defiance, Reed was found in possession of Methamphetamine, a Schedule II drug.)
Rafeal E. Vasquez II-age 28-Guilty plea to Aggravated Possession of Drugs-F5 and sentenced to 6 months at ODRC, jail credit for 24 days, costs. (On August 3, 2025, on W. High St., in Hicksville, Vasquez was found in possession of Methamphetamine, a Schedule II drug.)
THE FOLLOWING PERSONS HAVE RECENTLY BEEN SENTENCED IN THE DEFIANCE COUNTY COMMON PLEAS COURT:
Andrew Coressel-age 39-Sentenced for Menacing by Stalking-M1 and Possessing Criminal Tools-F5 to 3 years CCS with 12 months at ODRC reserved and 6 months at CCNO suspended in the event of a violation of CCS, no contact with victim (directly or indirectly) or victim’s family, pay $1,344.10 in restitution to victim, Defendant shall surrender Ohio State Board of Education Teaching License, costs.
Michael H. Blackwood-age 24-Sentenced for Strangulation-F4 to 2 years CCS with 18 months at ODRC reserved in the event of a violation of CCS, no bars/alcohol, not use/possess/consume any cannabis products, no contact with victim (directly or indirectly), attend and successfully complete the SEARCH program in Bowling Green (held at CCNO pending admission), TPO dissolved, costs. (On June 22, 2025, at his residence on Elbert St., in Defiance, Blackwood caused or created a substantial risk of serious physical harm to a family or household member by means of strangulation or suffocation.)
Cassydi J. Witt-age 24-Sentenced for Gross Sexual Imposition-F4 to 3 years of Intensive Supervision Probation with 18 months at ODRC reserved in the event of a violation of CCS, Defendant shall serve 60 days at CCNO with work release if employed, no bars/alcohol, not use/possess/consume any cannabis products, no contact with victim or victim’s family, Was Classified as a Tier I sex offender – requiring registration for a period of 15 years , TPO dissolved, costs.
John D. Martinez-age 47-Sentenced for Operating a Vehicle While Under the Influence of Alcohol, a Drug of Abuse or a Combination of Them-F4 to 3 years CCS with 30 months at ODRC reserved in the event of a violation of CCS, no bars/alcohol, not use/possess/consume any cannabis products, serve mandatory 60 days at CCNO, pay mandatory fine of $1,540.00, operator’s license suspended for 5 years beginning 7/27/25, costs. (On July 27, 2025, on Clinton St., in Defiance, Martinez operated a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs, and he also has five prior OVI convictions within the past twenty years.)