Van Wert Man Indicted on Cocaine Possession, Strangulation and Assault Charges in Mercer County

CELINA — A Van Wert man has been indicted on three charges following an alleged incident in Mercer County.

A Mercer County grand jury returned the indictment August 20 against Nicholas L. Edwards, 42, of Van Wert.

Edwards is charged with possession of cocaine and strangulation, both fifth-degree felonies, along with assault, a first-degree misdemeanor.

According to the indictment, the charges stem from an incident on or about August 18 in Mercer County. Prosecutors allege Edwards knowingly possessed or used cocaine and created a substantial risk of physical harm to another person through strangulation or suffocation.

He is also accused of causing or attempting to cause physical harm to the same person.

The case was filed in Mercer County Common Pleas Court. An indictment is an accusation, and Edwards is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.