(Updated: 02-05-11)
Andrew Zepeda’s motion for an intervention in lieu of conviction was accepted by Judge Alan Mayberry
Friday afternoon. The approval was granted despite the strong objection of Melissa Schiffel, an
assistant Wood County prosecuting attorney.
With the motion granted, Zepeda, the radio personality better known as Andrew Z, then pleaded guilty to
all three charges on which he was indicted. Zepeda admitted his guilt to theft, failure to remit sales
tax and complicity to breaking and entering.
The Wood County Common Pleas Court judge explained the process to Zepeda and others gathered in the
courtroom. Mayberry accepted the plea, but is withholding the finding for up to two years to allow
Zepeda to complete his intervention program.
Those conditions include, but are not limited to, registering with Behavioral Connections and
participating in its chemical dependency and substance abuse program. He must follow all
recommendations, consume no alcohol, not frequent any establishments which primarily serve alcohol,
attend Alcoholics Anonymous meetings as required by the probation department and obtain lawful
employment.
In addition, Zepeda must have no contact with his co-defendants, David Wright and Zepeda’s uncle, Paul
Zepeda. He must also pay nearly $41,000 in restitution to the state for unpaid sales taxes. He must also
abstain from any non-prescription drugs with required random testing by the probation department.
According to Zepeda’s attorney, Beau Harvey, his radio contract with Clear Channel was not renewed.
Mayberry compared the process to Wright and Paul Zepeda’s guilty pleas that were sitting on his desk.
Wright, 43, of Maumee, pleaded guilty to breaking and entering for entering the former Andrew Z’s Sportz
Pizzeria at Levis Commons last October.
At Zepeda’s hearing, Schiffel said Zepeda directed Wright’s