Father gets prison for giving son, 3, marijuana

4/28/2005

VAN WERT, Ohio - A Van Wert man who gave marijuana to his 3-year-old son was sentenced yesterday to a year in prison.

Joshua Minyoung, 23, was given the prison term by Judge Charles Steele of Van Wert County Common Pleas Court for one count of corrupting a minor with drugs. Minyoung was convicted of the fourth-degree felony March 15 after a two-day jury trial.

Judge Steele told Minyoung he had physically harmed the boy despite holding a position of trust and that his actions required a prison term.

Reports from the Van Wert police department indicated that the child tested positive July 2 for marijuana use, according to a court document. One of Minyoung's friends testified that Minyoung pointed out the boy to him that day, saying, "Look at him, he is stoned."

Authorities said the boy suffered no apparent lasting effects from the drug.