By Gary Ogle
gogle@wbcowqel.com
Drug-related cases not only continued to fill up the Crawford County Common Pleas Court docket, they took an even more sinister turn during Tuesday’s arraignments.
Thirteen people were arraigned and in all 13 cases illicit drugs were somehow involved. Of those 13 cases, six involved cases of heroin overdose.
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen so many people close to my own age allegedly OD,” commented Common Pleas Court Judge Sean Leuthold.
Under HB 110, known as the Good Samaritan Law, those six cases would not have been indicted. That law goes into effect Sept. 13 and those who overdose may avoid prosecution for felony drug possession as long as they seek treatment.
County Prosecutor Matt Crall noted that his office is on pace to surpass last year’s record number of prosecutions.
“It’s unfortunate. We’ve seen progress in crimes against people, property,” said Crall. “But we’re seeing an uptick in overdoses with people taking a new strain of heroin in our community.”
Those arraigned Tuesday, the charges against them and bonds set are: David Williams, F5 drug possession (personal recognizance bond); Jaclyn Fisher, F5 drug possession, M1 drug possession, M2 possession of drug abuse instrument, M4 drug paraphernalia, M1 personal drug abuse ($100,000); Michael Blum, F4 assault of peace officer, M1 domestic violence ($150,000); Taylor Young, F5 drug possession, F4 promoting prostitution, M3 soliciting, M2 possession of drug abuse instrument, M4 drug paraphernalia ($100,000); Melissa Cannon, F5 drug possession ($75,000); Mark Butler, F5 drug possession, M4 drug paraphernalia ($100,000); Logan Beeman, F5 drug possession ($100,000); Teresa Kent, F5 drug possession ($100,000); Megan Fox, F5 drug possession, F4 prostitution, M2 possession of drug abuse instrument, M4 drug paraphernalia ($100,000); Matthew Palmer, F5 drug possession ($150,000); Curtis Cannon, F5 drug possession ($100,000); Andrew Israel, F4 assault (personal recognizance); Robert Poulson, F4 burglary (personal recognizance).