By Krystal Smalley and Gary Ogle
ksmalley@wbcowqel.com; gogle@wbcowqel.com
Misty Owens already has a path laid out for herself despite not yet receiving her sentence in a drug possession case.
The 37-year-old Crestline woman pleaded guilty to a fifth-degree felony drug possession charge in Crawford County Common Pleas Court Monday afternoon. Owens, who had been in the county jail since July 29, was released on a personal recognizance bond after Judge Sean Leuthold ordered a pre-sentence investigation in her case. A condition of her bond included immediately starting counseling treatment.
Owens’ recommended sentence would include five years on community control, a six-month driver’s license suspension, a $1,250 fine, and forfeiture of drug-related property to the Crestline Police Department.
Randall Flick served less than a month in prison before Leuthold granted judicial release to the 30-year-old Canton man.
Flick appealed to Leuthold’s emotional side during the hearing, telling the judge that holding his newborn child in his arms for the first time last week brought tears to his eyes. He pleaded quietly with the judge that he would change, but Leuthold said he would believe it when he saw it.
“See this face? This is called the face of skepticism,” Leuthold responded.
Leuthold approved Flick’s early release from prison despite his reservations.
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Cory Myers’ case will move forward after a District V evaluation determined that he was competent to stand trial. The matter was set for a pretrial hearing.
Myers, 22, was arraigned on charges of felony 2 robbery and misdemeanor 1 domestic violence in July. A $250,000 bond was set at the time.
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Leuthold issued warrants for two people that failed to appear for their court hearings.
Thirty-one-year-old Leona Hoopingarner, of Stow, Ohio, posted a $150,000 bond, but failed to show for her change of plea hearing. She was originally charged with felony 5 drug possession and misdemeanor 2 possession of drug abuse instruments.
Nineteen-year-old Zachary Peck, of Milan, Ohio, failed to keep in touch with his defense attorney, which led to Adam Stone withdrawing from the case and a warrant being issued for Peck’s arrest. Peck had been charged with felony 4 theft and misdemeanor 4 possession of drug paraphernalia.
The judge followed through with recommended sentencing in two hearings during the morning session.
Clay Heminger was sentenced to a year of community control for his part in the vandalism of several mailboxes and road signs. His co-defendant, Trey Onie, had already been sentenced.
“This isn’t the only time you’ve been in trouble. It all stops now,” a stern-faced Leuthold said to Heminger with a glare from the bench. “I assure you, you will not do well in prison. If you screw this community control up, I will send you (to prison). This stops now.”
Heminger was also ordered to pay $850 in restitution and fined $1,700. The restitution has already been paid.
James Rumbarger had previously pleaded guilty to charges in two cases, one for fifth-degree drug possession, and the other four counts of felony 5 breaking and entering.
Rumbarger was sentenced to five years of community control, fined $1,000 in the breaking and entering case and $1,250 in the drug possession case.