VAN WERT — The Van Wert man charged with holding up Klosterman’s Pizza in Van Wert on Oct. 24 pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of robbery, a felony of the third degree, Wednesday morning. Kyle Caldwell admitted to the crime and was immediately sentenced to the maximum 36 months in prison followed by 663 days of post-release control by Van Wert County Common Pleas Court Judge Charles D. Steele. The post-release control time was still in effect after his last prison sentence.
Caldwell had been accused of walking into Klosterman’s with a handgun while covering the lower part of his face with a bandana. He reportedly pointed the gun at the clerk and demanded money from the cash register before reaching into the drawer himself and taking it before running out. No one was hurt in the robbery.
Caldwell had originally been charged with aggravated robbery — a charge which could have put him in prison for ten years.

Also in court Wednesday, Sam Geckle, 44, Convoy pleaded guilty to fourth-degree felony attempted having weapons under disability, a reduced charge. Geckle faces up to 18 months in prison at his April 17 sentencing hearing.

Nicholas Devecchio, 27, Van Wert, entered a guilty plea to a pair of fifth-degree felony heroin trafficking charges. The charges were reduced from fourth-degree felony counts. At that point Devecchio requested and was granted treatment in lieu of conviction. The charges could be dismissed after Devecchio completes a treatment program.

Jesse Stemen, 24, Van Wert, pleaded guilty to possession of drugs, a felony of the fifth degree. Stemen faces up to 12 months in prison at his sentencing on April 17.
A 40-year-old Van Wert man was found competent to stand trial. William Crutchfield is facing charges of felonious assault and having weapons under disability. Based on the report from Toledo’s Court Diagnostic, Crutchfield can go on trial, which will be scheduled at a later date.