Nine defendants appeared Wednesday before Judge Charles in Van Wert County Common Pleas Court:

Bond violation
Brittnie Garwood, 24, Van Wert, admitted to violating her personal surety bond by being arrested for operating a vehicle while under the influence.
She was ordered held on $100,000 cash bond until her sentencing date on March 6 on her plea to drug trafficking.
Changes of pleas

Bronson Pate, 31, Van Wert, entered a plea of guilty to an amended charge of trafficking in heroin, a felony of the fifth degree. He was originally charged with trafficking in heroin, a felony of the fourth degree.
The court ordered a pre-sentence investigation and set sentencing for March 13.