By Krystal Smalley
ksmalley@wbcowqel.com
Sex crimes once again took top billing on arraignment day in Crawford County Common Pleas Court.
Shawn Blankenship was the only defendant in the room at the Crawford County Sheriff’s Office when he was arraigned on charges of attempted unlawful sexual contact with a minor and gross sexual imposition Monday morning.
When Judge Sean Leuthold explained over videoconference that he saved Blankenship for last to avoid any issues with the other defendants, Blankenship appeared grateful.
“I understand. I’m already having enough problems here as it is,” Blankenship said, his arms crossed as he slumped in his chair. “Especially when they’re not true.”
Leuthold set bond at $500,000 when county prosecutor Matthew Crall stated the defendant allegedly attempted to get a 15-year-old to have sex with him.
“It was a misunderstanding,” Blankenship said as he stood to leave. “I’m sorry.”
If found guilty on both charges and sentenced to consecutive, maximum penalties, Blankenship could serve 54 months in prison.
Thirty-three-year-old Melissa Loyer, of Galion, received a $150,000 bond after being charged with two counts of drug possession and endangering a child.
According to Crall, Bucyrus police were called to the Speedway gas station in response to a child left unattended in a car. When police arrived, Loyer was passed out in the car with a three-month-old in the vehicle. Crall stated that Loyer was allegedly under the influence of heroin and Xanax pills. He noted that she also allegedly stated she just bought a syringe of heroin and shot up when police found her.
Loyer could face up to 24 months in prison and six months in the county jail if found guilty.
Those arraigned Monday, the charges against them and bonds set are: Jason Frank, F5 drug possession, M1 drug possession, MM drug possession, MM drug paraphernalia ($50,000); Zachery Newmeyer, F5 drug possession, M4 drug paraphernalia, M2 resisting arrest ($50,000); David Burger III, F5 drug possession, MM drug paraphernalia, MM drug possession ($25,000); Tia Crowden, F5 drug possession, F5 drug possession, M4 drug paraphernalia ($100,000); Steven Conner, F3 illegal assembly, F5 drug possession ($150,000); Shawn Blankenship, F3 attempted unlawful sexual contact with a minor, F4 gross sexual imposition ($500,000); Nicholas Biederman, F5 drug possession, M2 possession of a drug abuse instrument ($25,000); Scott Feichtner, F3 drug possession, F5 drug possession ($25,000); Melissa Loyer, F5 drug possession, F5 drug possession, M1 endangering children ($150,000); Michael Frieble, F4 improperly handling a firearm, F4 improperly handling a firearm, M1 drug possession, M4 drug paraphernalia, M4 drug paraphernalia ($25,000); Margarita Loll, F3 tampering with evidence, M4 illegal cultivation (personal recognizance); Mario Villella, F5 criminal non-support (personal recognizance); Aaron Adams, aggravated vehicular assault F2, M1 OVI suspension, M1 OVI ($100,000).