A number of defendants are scheduled for sentencing in Indiana County Court today.
Among them is 41-year-old Steven Melkonian of Marion Center, who pleaded guilty in March to misdemeanor indecent assault in exchange for non-prosecution on felony charges of involuntary deviate sexual intercourse with a child, aggravated indecent assault, and corruption of minors. Melkonian was charged last May with twice engaging in sexual activity with a young girl, at a hotel in Allegheny County while on a trip with her, and on another occasion at his home.
Also on the schedule today is 35-year-old Kareem Middlebrook of Arnold, who was convicted by a jury of possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, and possession of both a controlled substance and drug paraphernalia. Middlebrook and 36-year-old Henry Lewis King of Turtle Creek were arrested after a traffic stop last August at the Route 422/286 interchange in White Township. Police found fourteen grams of heroin and a package of unused stamp bags in the car. Both King and Middlebrook were backseat passengers. Both are also already convicted drug dealers with long rap sheets in Indiana County and elsewhere. They were each convicted of having 5.9 grams of heroin. King was sentenced last month to concurrent prison terms of 2-and-a-half to 10 years and 6 to 12 months, plus costs and fines.
19-year-old Matthew Ohler Jr. of Indiana is due to be sentenced today for possession with intent to deliver and simple assault, with non-prosecution for two counts each of aggravated assault, recklessly endangering, another count of simple assault, and simple possession.
Ohler was involved in an altercation last October in the 900 block of Oakland Avenue during IUP’s Homecoming. He pulled a gun during the dispute, but when he learned that police had been called, he gave the gun to another person and fled the scene. He was caught shortly afterward.
Ohler is involved in another case, the shooting death of 21-year-old Carlos Eduardo Recalde-Campos and the wounding of 20-year-old Samantha Riley, both of Indiana, during the IUPattys event on March 25th.
20-year-old Matthew McNevin of Rayne Township is charged with homicide and related crimes in those shootings, which occurred at a residence at 1128 Oakland Avenue in Indiana Borough. He’s awaiting trial.
Ohler is charged with conspiracy to homicide, conspiracy to aggravated assault, and two counts of conspiracy to recklessly endangering another person. Police say he was with McNevin that night and knew of McNevin’s plans. In fact, police say Ohler provided the gun allegedly used in the shooting, noting a witness who told them that Ohler “buys and sells stolen guns”. Ohler was found after the shooting hiding behind Venice Pizza, just off Oakland Avenue.
He’s due for formal arraignment July 26th in that case and in another case involving drugs.
Other defendants scheduled for sentencing today include:
- 29-year-old Ian Michael Spaid of Indiana, who pleaded guilty to operating a methamphetamine lab, with agreement for non-prosecution on related charges of possession with intent to deliver, possession of red phosphorous with intent to manufacture, and three related misdemeanor drug offenses. He was arrested last September.
- 28-year-old Corey James Webb of Ernest for two cases from January of this year. He pleaded guilty pleas to receiving stolen property in both cases.
- 29-year-old Gwendalyn Ann Johnson of Armagh, for theft by deception in a case from August of 2015.
- 42-year-old Jason Foust of Blairsville, for simple assault and harassment, with non-prosecution for burglary in August of last year. The incident occurred at a residence on Spring Street in Blairsville.
- 62-year-old Kevin Dunmire of Indiana, for driving under the influence (second offense) in March of last year.
