Cadiz man sentenced to years in prison

In a day that saw several hearings postponed, Joshua A. Burgett, 27, of Cadiz, pleaded guilty and was sentenced to an aggregate term of four to six years in prison in Harrison County Common Pleas Court. He also was ordered to pay a $7,500 fine.

Burgett was represented by attorney Dan Guinn.

One of the cases, filed in 2026, included charges of assault, a fifth-degree felony, and criminal damaging, a second-degree misdemeanor. The combined sentence also included four felony drug charges — two second-degree felonies, one third-degree felony and one fourth-degree felony — related to aggravated trafficking in drugs.

Burgett, who told the court he has a ninth-grade education, faced a possible maximum sentence of 24½ years if convicted at trial, as well as a potential $15,000 fine.

Harrison County Prosecutor Lauren Knight said Burgett completed an Ohio Risk Assessment and was determined to be at high risk for recidivism.

Judge Matthew Hervey said prison was not mandatory in the two cases but determined incarceration was appropriate based on the assessment and Burgett’s criminal history.

Addressing Burgett directly, Hervey told him he would be a “relatively young man” upon release and would still have much of his life ahead of him if he made changes. Burgett responded briefly, saying he would not break the rules.

Several other hearings were postponed.

John E. Heinzman, 39, of Cadiz, is charged with pandering obscenity involving a minor, a second-degree felony; illegal use of a minor in nudity-oriented material or performance, also a second-degree felony; and voyeurism, a fifth-degree felony. His attorney, Charles C. Amato, filed a motion to suppress. Heinzman is scheduled to return to court at 1 p.m. March 10.

Josh B. Grim, 31, of Hopedale, also is scheduled to appear March 10. He is undergoing an Ohio Risk Assessment while facing charges of menacing by stalking, a fourth-degree felony; aggravated menacing, a misdemeanor; and possession of drugs, a third-degree felony.

In a case dating to 2024, Christopher D. Beatty, 37, of Dellroy, faces two felony counts of felonious assault and aggravated assault, along with a misdemeanor charge of domestic violence. He was scheduled to appear Tuesday, Feb. 10.