MOUNT VERNON – Judge Otho Eyster sentenced nine defendants in felony cases, on Friday. According to Knox County Prosecutor John Thatcher, Paul B. Swetnam, III, 31, Utica, was convicted of a burglary offense, aggravated assault and aggravated possession of drugs. Swetnam was sentenced to 17 months in prison. Thatcher said on December 22, 2012, Swetnam broke into a residence and then attempted to cause physical harm to a 56 year old resident. The resident shot Swetnam in the abdomen with a .45 caliber handgun, and then called 911. At the hospital, a quantity of methamphetamine was found in Swetnam’s pocket. The case was investigated by the Knox County Sheriff’s Office.
Robert T. Balcom, 22, Mount Vernon, was convicted of domestic violence and assault on peace officers. Balcom was sentenced to 17 months in prison. Thatcher said on August 23, 2013, Balcom assaulted his live-in girlfriend, and then assaulted the Knox County Sheriff’s deputies who arrested him. Deputies Daniel Selby and Aaron Phillips handled the arrest.
Kelly Marie Shreiner, 44, Mount Vernon, was convicted of trafficking in drugs and heroin charges. Shreiner was sentenced to an 11 month suspended prison term, 30 days in jail and she was ordered to successfully complete a drug treatment program at a halfway house. Thatcher said on April 25, 2013, Shreiner sold Alprazolam (Xanax) tablets to a confidential informant working for the Mount Vernon Police, and the next day she sold heroin to a confidential informant.
Tiffiny Rose Rutter, 25, Mount Vernon, was convicted of trafficking in drugs.Rutter was sentenced to an 11 month suspended prison term, and her driver’s license was suspended for six months. Thatcher said on May 8 and 16, 2013, Rutter sold Suboxone to a confidential informant working for the Mount Vernon Police. Detective Corporal Matt Dailey investigated the Shreiner and Rutter cases.
Teresa L. Blubaugh, 43, Mount Vernon, was convicted of grand theft by deception. Blubaugh was sentenced to a 15 month suspended prison term and ordered to pay $21,712.00 in restitution to the victim, her former employer. She was also ordered to maintain full time employment so she can make full restitution. Thatcher said Blubaugh stole the money between October 6, 2006 and July 8, 2009. Detective Corporal Dailey investigated the case.
Robert D. Woodward, 54, Mount Gilead, was convicted of burglary and possessing criminal tools. Woodward was sentenced to a nine month suspended prison term and 55 days in jail. Thatcher said on September 26, 2013, Woodward threw a brickthrough awindow of an unoccupied residence, and then he stole a mattress from thehouse. Deputy Jason Stachler, KCSO, and Lieutenant Roger Brown, Fredericktown Police Department investigated the case.
Shreiner, Rutter, Blubaugh and Woodward were also placed on community control supervision terms. Thatcher said three defendants had their community control supervision revoked,and they were sent to prison because of violations of theirsupervision conditions.
On April 5, 2013, Elizabeth A. Dowalter, 33, Mount Vernon, was convicted of theft of drugs for stealing prescription pills. Dowalter’s suspended 30 month prison term was imposed because she tested positive for heroin after a random drug screen conducted by her probation officer. She was also convicted of a new felony charge,illegal use of a food stamp card, and sentenced to a concurrent 11 month prison term. Thatcher said this is Dowalter’s fourth conviction for a felony offense.
On September 21, 2012, Christopher A. Gutridge, 20, Orlando, Florida, was convicted of attempted tampering with evidence and receiving stolen property. Gutridge’s suspended 17 month prison term was imposed because he was convictedrecently of petty theft and drug charges, in Florida.
On October 11, 2013, Demetrius A. Caldwell, 26, Mount Vernon, was convicted of three counts of trafficking in cocaine. Caldwell’s suspended 17 month prison term was imposed because hefailed to complete a drug treatment program at a halfway house.
