By Krystal Smalley
ksmalley@wbcowqel.com
The opportunity for community control quickly slipped from Jeremy Schaffer’s grasp Monday afternoon.
Schaffer, a 33-year-old Bucyrus man, was preparing to be sentenced for drug possession. An initial glance at Schaffer’s record indicated that he did not have any prior felonies, so a community control sentence was negotiated between the parties. Once Crawford County Common Pleas Court Judge Sean Leuthold took a look at his pre-sentence investigation, however, he quickly put a halt to the proceedings in order to discuss his findings.
The investigation document, which numbered 10 pages, showed Schaffer had pleaded guilty to a prior felony and was prison eligible. Though Schaffer had been supervised for three years, he was terminated unsuccessfully less than a year ago.
A new plea agreement sentenced Schaffer to 24 months in prison on two counts of drug possession. He received a $1,250 mandatory drug fine and a six-month driver’s license suspension. He must also forfeit seized drug-related paraphernalia to the Bucyrus Police Department.
“I don’t like to pull the rug out from under people, but Mr. Schaffer’s record is terrible,” Leuthold said.
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Thirty-three-year-old Holly Dameron pleaded guilty to two counts of theft, both fifth-degree felonies. Leuthold ordered a pre-sentence investigation and released her on a personal recognizance bond. Dameron’s recommended sentence included five years on community control, entrance into a drug and alcohol treatment program, and a total of $13,812.20 in restitution to two different companies. Assistant prosecutor Ryan Hoovler added that he would ask for the maximum sentence in the case – 24 months – if Dameron violates her bond in any way.
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Twenty-nine-year-old Jesse Dye, of Galion, pleaded guilty to four counts of forgery, all fifth-degree felonies. Leuthold ordered a pre-sentence investigation and continued Dye’s bond. The recommended sentence included five years on community control with 120 days spent in the county jail, and restitution to be determined at a later date. If Dye fails on community control, he could face up to 48 months in prison.
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Thirty-fivey-year-old Jamie White, of Galion, admitted to violating her diversion program when she failed to show for her monthly office visits between September and December, but she will get a second chance on the program.
Despite missing four months’ worth of office visits, White was able to pay a large sum on her restitution payment: $1,800 out of $4,135. Due to that recent accomplishment, Leuthold agreed to continue her on diversion, but extended the program to four years. Hoovler reminded her that if she missed another office visit, he would file for another revocation hearing.
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