Sheriff Landers praises his staff for their hard work.
Wilma A. Schwartz Death Investigation
Paulding County Sheriff Jason Landers
Paulding, Ohio—Paulding County Sheriffs Office investigators have handed over the murder case involving Wilma A. Schwartz to the Paulding County Prosecutor’s Office. Schwartz was found dead on March 14, 2016 at 10488 Road 1, Antwerp, Ohio.
The case was presented to the Grand Jury on May 12, 2016 for one count of Murder, an unclassified Felony, against Daniel Zerbe, age 42, Fort Wayne, Indiana. An Indictment was returned and a warrant was issued for the arrest of Zerbe for the above stated charge.
“Through our investigation, we discovered Schwartz was shot inside her vehicle by Zerbe. We learned Schwartz and Zerbe had been in a relationship for several years, and it wasn’t good,” said Sheriff Jason K. Landers. “My deputies were able to advance this case when Zerbe was arrested on an unrelated warrant, and he was found in possession of the gun used in the murder.”
Zerbe is currently in Allen County, Indiana’s custody on charges related to Methamphetamine. He also has other outstanding warrants in Wells County, Indiana. Zerbe will be served a copy of the Warrant on Indictment regarding this case, and eventually be extradited to Paulding County for arraignment on these charges.
“There are a lot of agencies involved in this investigation. The cooperation has been outstanding. If it wasn’t for the swift actions of law enforcement on the Indiana side of the state line, my guys would not have been able to act so quickly following leads and putting this case together,” said Sheriff Landers.
“I cannot give my staff enough credit publicly,” said Sheriff Landers. “For our rural community and rather small office, we have been tasked with some very serious crimes the past several months.
This group continues to come into work with positive attitudes day after day to protect and serve this community. It’s not easy at times, but all the credit goes to my staff for always showing up to do the best they can for Paulding County. I am very proud of them.”
Sheriff Jason K. Landers 500 East Perry Street • Paulding, Ohio 45879 Office Telephone 419-399-3791 • www.pautdingohsheriff.com • FAX 419-399-3216
