Allegations of parole violations land two in county jail

Originally published in the Daily Advocate Feb. 22, 2020

By Bethany J. Royer-DeLong

GREENVILLE — An area man cited brake issues as part of the reasons behind allegations of
community control violations in Darke County Common Pleas on Wednesday.

Justin S. Gantt, 38, of Greenville, went before Judge Jonathan P. Hein via video from the county
jail for allegations that included failure to report, testing positive for methamphetamine, and
failure to verify employment.

Gantt was sentenced to 60 months of community control sanctions on a conviction of breaking

and entering, a fifth-degree felony, in Aug. 2019. He noted motor vehicle issues transpired in
November and was currently employed and had been since the court case got underway.

Assistant Prosecutor James Bennett, requested bond at $20,000 with Gantt requesting release on
his own recognizance.

“I’ve lost enough in this matter,” said Gantt, stating he has good people surrounding him and
likes his job. “I’m not a flight risk. I’ve never ran.”

Judge Hein, however, saw the matter differently, stating he wasn’t sure where to start given there
was no proof on employment, housing, or the defendant’s claim of sobriety.

“We did this dance before,” continued Judge Hein, setting bond at $10,000 with the next court
date slated for March 9.

Also appearing in court via video were the following:

*Roger D. Trent, 48, of Greenville, gave a change of plea for failure to provide verification of
address, a third-degree felony. He pled guilty to the charge with bond continued at $10,000 until
proper housing was obtained with his sentencing date slated for April 27.

*Joshua J. Johnson, 36, of Greenville, on allegations of parole violations on an original charge of

aggravated possession of drugs, a third-degree felony. He pled guilty to the allegations and was
to continue incarceration until release into a treatment program.

*Eric I. Cuzzort, 23, of Union City, OH., gave a change of plea for aggravated possession of
meth, a fifth-degree felony, and carrying a concealed weapon, a fourth-degree felony. Bond was
continued with a sentencing date slated for April 17.