venedocia Man Sentenced to Three Years for Sex Crimes in Van Wert County
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Michael Flickinger, a 59-year-old man from Venedocia, Ohio, will spend three years in prison after being sentenced in Van Wert County Common Pleas Court this week for multiple sex crimes involving a minor. The charges included sexual battery, gross sexual imposition, and voyeurism.
Details of the Sentencing
Judge Martin D.Burchfield handed down the sentence, ordering the 36 months for sexual battery (a third-degree felony), 18 months for gross sexual imposition (a fourth-degree felony), and a concurrent sentence for voyeurism (a fifth-degree felony) to run concurrently. Flickinger received credit for seven days already served in the county jail.
Upon release, Flickinger will be classified as a Tier II sex offender, requiring him to register his address every 90 days for the remainder of his life. He is also prohibited from contacting the victim and must cover court costs.
michael Flickinger
The Crimes and Legal proceedings
Court records indicate that the crimes occurred between May 2020 and May 2024 and involved a minor. A Van Wert County grand jury indicted Flickinger in June of the previous year. The initial charges included two counts of rape (first-degree felonies), two counts of sexual battery (third-degree felonies), three counts of gross sexual imposition (fourth-degree felonies), and voyeurism (a fifth-degree felony).
In May, Flickinger entered a no contest plea to three of the charges and was later found guilty by Judge Burchfield.
Did You Know? Ohio’s sex offender registry is publicly accessible, allowing communities to stay informed about registered offenders in their area. You can search the registry on the Ohio Attorney General’s website.
Other Recent Sentencing Hearings
Along with the Flickinger case, van Wert County Common Pleas Court saw two other high-profile sentencing hearings this week:
- April Diltz, 46, of Van Wert, received a 30-month prison sentence for attempted corrupting another with drugs, a third-degree felony.
- Ryan Houser, 39, of Rockford, was sentenced to 15 years to life in prison for murder, an unclassified felony.
Additional Criminal Hearings
five other criminal hearings took place in Van Wert County Common Pleas Court this week. These included arraignments for:
- John Snavley, 59, of Celina, who pleaded not guilty to two counts of aggravated possession of drugs.
- Weston Mills, 42, of Van Wert, who pleaded not guilty to aggravated possession of drugs.
- Kody Johnson, 44, of Van Wert, who entered a not guilty plea to grand theft.
- James Aldrich, 56, of Van Wert, who entered a not guilty plea to illegal conveyance of drugs of abuse onto grounds of a specified governmental facility.
Mikayla Lavy, 29, of Delphos, admitted to violating her probation. Sentencing is scheduled for July 3.
van Wert County Court Activity Summary
| Defendant | Charge | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Michael Flickinger | Sexual Battery, Gross Sexual Imposition, Voyeurism | 3 years prison |
| April Diltz | Attempted Corrupting Another with Drugs | 30 months prison |
| Ryan Houser | Murder | 15 years to life |
| John Snavley | Aggravated Possession of Drugs | Not guilty plea |
| Weston Mills | Aggravated Possession of Drugs | Not guilty plea |
| Kody Johnson | Grand Theft | Not guilty plea |
| James aldrich | Illegal Conveyance of Drugs | Not guilty plea |
| Mikayla Lavy | Probation Violation | sentencing July 3 |
Pro Tip: Stay informed about court proceedings in your area by checking your county’s court website for public records and schedules.
Understanding Sex Offender Classifications
Sex offender classifications, like Tier II in Flickinger’s case, are determined based on the severity of the crime and the risk of re-offense. These classifications dictate the level of community notification and registration requirements. Tier II offenders typically pose a moderate risk of re-offense.
The Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act of 2006 established a national standard for sex offender registration and notification,aiming to protect children from sexual exploitation and violent crimes [No citations needed].
Frequently Asked Questions About Sex Crimes and Sentencing
What are your thoughts on the sentencing in this case? How can communities better protect themselves from sex crimes?
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