By Jordan Studer
jstuder@wbcowqel.com
The result of Monday’s busy docket in Crawford County Common Pleas Court is that several people are going to prison, including two for four years.
On Monday afternoon, 31-year-old Bryan Hathaway, of Galion, pleaded guilty to his second degree crime, complicity to commit robbery. He was then sentenced to four years in prison with jail-time credit. Hathaway is subject to three years of mandatory post-release control. Hathaway was also given a fine of $2,500.
Judge Leuthold warned Hathaway that if he continues to make more foolish decisions, he will continue to stay in prison.
Another also received a lengthy prison sentence. Twenty-six-year-old Brittany Pratt-Witten of Bucyrus pleaded guilty to her charges of illegal conveyance of drugs onto a detention facility and trafficking drugs, both felonies of the third degree.
Pratt-Witten was then sentenced with 36 months in prison on her first count and 12 months in prison on her second count, to be served consecutively. She was given three months of non-mandatory post-release control. Her license was also suspended for six months and she was given a fine of $5,000.
“You’re not stupid…you can come out a new person if you want to be,” Leuthold told Pratt-Witten.
Judge Leuthold advised Pratt-Witten that the only way she could be considered to be let out early was if she proved to him that she was making progress. If she did indeed show progress, he might possibly consider her for Intensive Supervision and Treatment Program.
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Thirty-six-year-old Rocky McCleese of Bucyrus was sentenced on Monday for his crime of possession of drugs, a fifth degree felony. Back in December, McCleese was set to be sentenced to community control for five years, but he asked Judge Leuthold if he could be put in Teen Challenge, a faith-based recovery program in Youngstown, prior to beginning his community control sentence. Judge Leuthold agreed after much skepticism, but said McCleese must be held in county jail until his placement.
Since then, McCleese has failed to complete Teen Challenge. McCleese was sentenced on Monday with 10 months in prison, with jail time credit, as well as three years of non-mandatory post-release control.
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With many going to prison, one man was lucky enough to get released. Thomas Holbrook, a thirty-one-year-old Marion resident, was found guilty back in July of 2013 for burglary, a second-degree felony, and possession of drugs. After being found guilty, Holbrook was then sentenced to four years in prison on count one and 11 months in prison on count two, to be served consecutively. Holbrook was also given a six-month license suspension and a fine of $1,250 as well as restitution costs.
On Monday, Holbrook was released from prison after three years and given five years of community control, but not without a stern warning from Judge Leuthold.
“No parties. No drugs. No booze. None of that…you’d be shocked how fast you can get yourself back in prison. I don’t mess around,” Leuthold cautioned.
Another man also received a sentence of community control. Thirty-three-year-old Jason Gernert of Bucyrus originally pleaded guilty back in April to his charge of possession of drugs, a felony of the fifth degree.
On Monday, Gernert was sentenced with five years of community control as well as continuation in the Intensive Supervision and Treatment program. Gernert also received a fine of $1,250 as well as a six-month license suspension.
“I think, Mr. Gernert, you need some structure,” Judge Leuthold told him.
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Another change of plea was thirty-nine-year-old Mary Borders of Galion. Borders pleaded guilty to her fifth degree felony of theft. Borders’ recommended sentence was five years of community control. The maximum penalty for her crime is 12 months in prison and a $2,500 fine. Judge Leuthold ordered a pre-sentence investigation and continued her personal recognizance bond.