On April 10, 2026, Michael Wheeler was sentenced to probation after
pleading guilty to one count of Theft, a felony of the fifth degree. In August
2025, Wheeler walked into a local jewelry store in Mercer County with his
young stepson and purchased two expensive jewelry items with a fake check.
At sentencing, the State argued for a lengthy prison sentence. In its
sentencing memorandum, the State explained that Wheeler has a criminal
history spanning 20 years. His criminal record includes both violent and
nonviolent felony offenses.
Further, the State noted that this was just one of several jewelry store
thefts that Wheeler committed in a four-month timeframe. Prior to his crime
spree in Mercer County, Ohio, Wheeler committed three separate jewelry
store thefts in Montgomery County, Ohio.
Additionally, the State asked the Court to consider that Wheeler not
only committed these crimes in front of a child but also utilized this child to
perpetrate the crime at the jewelry store. However, despite the State’s
argument, the Judge still sentenced Wheeler to probation.