Celina Man Gets Probation for Driving Van Toward Children at Bryson Park

A 45-year-old Celina man who drove his van toward a group of children at Bryson Park last summer was sentenced Thursday to three years of community control in Mercer County Common Pleas Court.

James J. Garman pleaded guilty to one count of attempted felonious assault, a third-degree felony, after reaching a plea deal that reduced the original second-degree felony charge.

The incident occurred on July 22, 2024, when police say Garman drove a white van onto the basketball court at Bryson Park while looking for boys who had fought with his son earlier in the day. Surveillance footage reviewed by police showed the van nearly hitting one child and forcing others to scatter.

Garman was later found at his home by officers and reportedly remained agitated, saying police should be investigating the children instead.

The state did not recommend a specific sentence as part of the plea agreement.