Gerry Drees, 53, of Russia, pleaded no contest and George Treon, 72 of Versailles pleaded guilty to one count of public indecency at Lockington Dam Park, according to the Sidney Municipal Court clerk's office. Pre-sentence investigations have been ordered for both.
David Scott Stone, 47, of Vandalia, and Michael Perando, 55, of Piqua, had their arraignments continued until Dec. 9 so they could obtain legal counsel. Each is charged with two counts of public indecency.
Jeffrey Billiel, who resigned as editor of the Sidney Daily News after his arrest last week, did not appear in court Monday.
His arraignment has been continued for two weeks, according to the clerk's office, but Billiel had until the end of business Monday to file a plea or other request with the court.
Two more defendants -- Joshua Taylor, 29, of Piqua, and Dennis Baldwin, 64, of Arcanum -- pleaded not guilty to public indecency. Pre-trial hearings have been scheduled for each of them.
James Miller, 52, of Bradford was excused from court because he has been admitted to a hospital, according to the clerk. Miller's condition is not known.
Shelby Co. sheriff's Chief Deputy James Frye said the investigation, which began two months ago, stems from a problem that has plagued the park for years.
David Murray, 51, whose case has already wound its way through the court system, was arrested on the spot while police were setting up cameras used in the sting, Frye said.
He was in his car, masturbating, and watching some children across the street, said Frye, who didn't know the outcome of Murray's case.
Sheriff's investigators have not made any more arrests beyond the nine that investigators know of. But this was the third time investigators have set up stings at that park, which Frye characterized as very secluded.
Investigators think most of the men heard about the park by word of mouth, but investigators also found some ads on Craigslist.
Tuesday, there is a meeting scheduled involving the sheriff, park board and county commissioners to discuss future of park safety. If no permanent solution is found, the sheriff's office will be operating more stings to prevent the kind of activity that was captured on video, Frye said.
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