Former Mt. Gilead attorney William “Mark” Adams appeared before Common Pleas Court Judge Robert C. Hickson by video link from the Morrow County Jail on Oct. 23 to enter not guilty pleas on 18 felony counts of theft.

Adams, represented by Mt. Gilead attorney Earl Desmond, was indicted by the Morrow County Grand Jury in June on 18 felony charges, 16 felony of the fifth degree (F5) charges of theft and two felony of the fourth degree (F4) charges of grand theft.

According to the Ohio Revised Code, if the value of the property or services stolen is $1000 or more and is less than $7500 is theft, an F5; if the value of the property or services stolen is $7500 or more and is less than $150,000, it is grand theft, an F4.

According to the indictment, Adams is accused of taking more than $127,000 in currency, property and services between August of 2009 and October of 2014.

Ohio Supreme Court documents report that Adams filed an application to resign his license to practice law in February of 2014 which was accepted by the Ohio Supreme Court pending disciplinary action on April 14, 2014, these dates indicate that two of the felonies occurred after Adams was no longer licensed to practice law

The case has been transferred to visiting Judge Roger Wilson, a retired Common Pleas Court Judge from Champaign County.

Adams was released from the Morrow County Jail on his on his own recognizance and a $5000 penal bond.

No trial date has been set.

Reach Donna Carver at 419-946-3030, ext. 1804 or on Twitter @MorrCoSentinel.

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By Donna Carver

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