A rural Bluffton man was recently convicted of Domestic Violence in Allen County Common Pleas Court, Rick Skilliter, Bluffton police chief, told The Icon today.

Christopher D. Balmer was originally arrested by Bluffton police officer on April 27, 2011, after police responded to a Bentley Road address for a reported domestic violence complaint. Officers discovered Balmer still at the residence and took him into custody at that time.

The case was originally presented as a felony, however Balmer agreed to plea to a lesser count resulting in a misdemeanor conviction for domestic violence.

Judge Jeffrey L. Reed sentenced Balmer to 180 days in the Allen County Jail, but suspended the jail time contingent on conditions including:

o Three years probation
o No drugs or alcohol use
o Participate in counseling
o Submit to random drug and alcohol testing
o Have no contact with the victim other than child custody exchange
o Obey all restraining orders that are in effect