By Gary Ogle and Bob Strohm
gogle@wbcowqel.com; bstrohm@wbcowqel.com

On the day before Thanksgiving, Common Pleas Court Judge Sean Leuthold once again reminded a defendant that those who are prison eligible and do drugs are going to prison.

Twenty-five-year-old Brittany Tyson is prison eligible, she admitted to felony drug possession and she is going to prison.

Tyson pleaded guilty to drug possession and was sentenced to an eight-month prison term. The maximum sentence for the offense is 12 months. Tyson’s driver’s license was also suspended for six months and she was fined $1,250.

Having weapons while under a weapons disability landed one Galion man behind bars for the next two years.

Christopher Eichelberger was sentenced to 24 months in prison with credit for time served after pleading guilty to a third-degree felony weapons charge.

Prior to sentencing Eichelberger’s attorney Adam Stone spoke for his client.

“Over the past four months that I have represented him, Mr. Eichelberger has taken responsibility for what he has done,” Stone said.

“I am ready to get on with my life and fix what I have done,” Eichelberger said before sentencing.

Thirty-year-old Kristi Kitts was sentenced to five years on community control after having previously pleaded guilty to felony drug possession. The judge added a provision requiring Kitts to complete the court’s intensive treatment program. She was also fined $1,250, had her driver’s license suspended for six months and ordered to forfeit any drug-related items to authorities.

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Three other defendants appeared Wednesday morning on allegations they had violated provisions of various court-ordered programs.

Ronald Carver had an initial hearing to show why he should not be revoked from the diversion program. The 32-year-old Galion man entered diversion and avoided a felony theft conviction in a 2013 case. The allegations against him are that he violated program rules by not paying court costs or restitution to the victim, and not appearing as required.

If found guilty of those allegations, Carver is subject to the theft conviction which carries a maximum penalty of 12 months in prison. Timothy O’Leary was appointed as his counsel and bond was set at $75,000.

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The second of three individuals involved in a drug trafficking bust out of Galion had her day in court Wednesday afternoon. Keelie Moyer was sentenced to five years of community control, as well as ordered to take part in the Maryhaven program.

“Keelie I’ve seen this before. I think I know what is going on. You get mixed up with guys that are involved with drugs. You stepped forward and now are on felony community control with Judge Sean Leuthold. This is no longer a game,” Leuthold said. “If you mess up you are going to go directly to jail, you won’t pass go and you are not going to collect $200. What is important is when you get out of jail you have to make strides to better yourself. If you mess up again you are going to prison for 48 months. They will take your kids away and you may never see them again.”

Moyer was also given a $5,000 fine, forfeiture of all drug related property.

“Keelie I am not going to give you any rope,” Leuthold continued. “Under community control you can’t go running around with felons and drug users and that includes family.”

Leuthold turned his attention to probation officer Ken Dyer of the Adult Parole Authority who will supervise Moyer.

“If she makes one slip up. If she shows up late for a meeting, I want to know about it,” Leuthold said.

Her husband, Cody Moyer, was sentenced last week to 48 months in prison on two drug-related charges stemming from the same incident.

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Charlotte Baldridge rejected the recommendation of the court and proceeded to go forward with a full hearing for probation violations. Baldridge was arrested on Aug. 19 for allegedly possessing cocaine and drug paraphernalia.

Prior to releasing Baldridge the judge had a few words for the defendant.

“Some people think that because they are not prison eligible that I cannot do anything, but I can,” Leuthold said.

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Amber Griefenstine went on community control in June of this year and is alleged to have violated the conditions of that program by failing to report to her probation officer and testing positive for oxycodone.

The 31-year-old Griefenstine was originally convicted of felony theft and could be sent to prison for as long as 12 months if found guilty of violating community control. Her bond was set at $100,000 and Geoffrey Stoll was appointed to represent her.

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Thirty-two-year-old Dereck Hensley was back in court just two weeks after being freed from prison on judicial release. Originally convicted in March of this year for felony domestic violence and sentenced to 36 months in prison, Hensley could be returned to prison for the balance of that sentence if found to have violated terms of his community control.

Hensley is alleged to have been in contact with the victim since his release which is prohibited by court order. Adam Stone was appointed to represent Hensley and was set at $100,000.

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