By Krystal Smalley
ksmalley@wbcowqel.com
A Marion woman who believed she was a victim of peer pressure will now be serving prison time for her role in running a meth lab.
Forty-four-year-old Stacy Jones pleaded guilty to the illegal manufacture of drugs, a first-degree felony, in Crawford County Common Pleas Court Tuesday afternoon. She avoided the maximum 11-year prison sentence, but will have to serve at least four of her five years on her agreed-to sentence.
Jones, wiping tears from her eyes as she answered Judge Sean Leuthold’s standard questions, seemed almost ready to back out of her plea agreement at times, asking the judge numerous questions about the sentence and acting hesitant over the proceedings.
“She fell victim to peer pressure,” said defense attorney Carlos Crawford.
“I think I agree to a certain degree to what Mr. Crawford said,” Leuthold stated, admitting that Jones may have faced some type of pressure, but did not give her any more leeway. “This isn’t peer pressure. Cooking up illegal meth goes well beyond peer pressure.”
Leuthold added that Jones’ sentence was one of the lightest ones he has handed down to someone who was mixed up with meth and was charged with a serious felony. He noted that he gave Jones’ co-defendant, Alfonso Villavicencio, Jr., nine years for the same crime.
“It’s an extremely dangerous drug,” Leuthold said. He believed that in Jones’ case, cooking up meth with criminals was “a recipe for disaster.”
Jones was also fined $10,000 and must forfeit drug-related property to the Crawford County Sheriff’s Office.
Jones and Villavicencio were arrested by officers from the Crawford County Special Response Team on April 18 after a search warrant was issued at 1455 Ohio 294, Marion. Officers seized chemicals related to the illegal manufacture of methamphetamine, along with drug paraphernalia and a firearm. During the search warrant, two officers suffered chemical exposure while a third officer was bitten by a dog. All three were treated and released from the Bucyrus Community Hospital.
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An 18-month prison sentence was handed down to Randall Allen, but the 22-year-old man may only have to serve six months of it if he behaves himself while incarcerated.
Allen, who had been on probation for aggravated assault, admitted to violating a civil protection order and causing damage to property. After doing six months of his sentence, Allen’s attorney can file for early release and Allen would enter in the Volunteers of America program.
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Forty-eight-year-old Steven Kennedy, of Bucyrus, pleaded guilty to two counts of fifth-degree felony drug possession and received consecutive six-month prison sentences. He was also fined $1,250, had his driver’s license suspended for six months, and was ordered to forfeit drug-related property to the Bucyrus Police Department and the Crawford County Sheriff’s Office.
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Michael Fletcher’s probation violation landed him an eight-month prison sentence. The 29-year-old Bucyrus man admitted to using a debit card without permission and admitting to using marijuana.
Fletcher avoided a prison sentence when he originally pleaded guilty to felony 4 deception to obtain a dangerous drug in 2015, but his probation violation made him eligible for time behind bars.
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Joshua Blankenship was facing four felony drug charges, but pleaded guilty to only one. The 38-year-old Bucyrus man received a seven-month prison sentence in return for three of the four charges being dismissed.
“I hope you straighten up, that’s all I’m going to say,” Leuthold told him.
Blankenship also received a six-month driver’s license suspension and a $1,250 fine.
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Leuthold was obliged to put James Baldwin on community control for his theft crimes due to the fact that the Upper Sandusky man was not eligible for prison, but the judge made Baldwin very aware that a lengthy prison sentence could still be in the cards.
Baldwin previously pleaded guilty to seven counts of theft after he failed to complete tree trimming work his clients paid for.
“I’m very sorry, Your Honor,” Baldwin said. “It won’t happen again.”
Baldwin added that he has already started paying his restitution in the case.
Leuthold, however, did not take kindly to the crimes Baldwin committed.
“I catch you ripping off elderly people again I will sentence your a– to prison for the entire time,” Leuthold said. “You pull this crap again, you’ll pay the price.”
Baldwin received five years on community control on the four cases, a total of $3,900 in fines, and $3,900 in restitution to seven victims. If Baldwin fails on community control, he could be sentenced to 12 months in prison on each count for a total of seven years.
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Twenty-one-year-old Cody Urbine, of New Washington, pleaded guilty to felony 4 theft. His bond was continued and a pre-sentence investigation ordered. Urbine’s recommended sentence included five years on community control, a $750 fine, and forfeiture of drug-related property to the New Washington Police Department. He could receive up to 18 months in prison if he fails on community control.
Forty-four-year-old Christopher Bunker appeared in Common Pleas Court for a probation violation hearing. Bunker, who was granted judicial release on a robbery charge in August of 2014, allegedly tested positive for cocaine and marijuana when he submitted to a random drug screen.
Leuthold appointed Adam Stone as Bunker’s attorney and set bond at $150,000.
Bunker served two years on a four-year prison sentence.
Kyle May served a portion of his two-year prison sentence and was granted judicial release. May, who pleaded guilty to felony 3 domestic violence in July, told the judge that he took advantage of being in prison and enrolled in programs while there.
Leuthold granted the motion and placed May on community control for five years with the special condition that he has no contact with the victim in the case.
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Chase Grogan was close to being placed on community control, but he’ll be spending some time in the county jail instead, as the court settles whether he violated the terms of his bond.
The 21-year-old Galion man pleaded guilty to theft and three charges of forgery in July and was released on a personal recognizance bond as the court awaited the results of a pre-sentence investigation. During that time Grogan allegedly attempted to make a purchase of drugs.
The potential violation could make Grogan prison eligible. Leuthold had Grogan taken into custody, revoked his bond, and requested a hearing to be set for a later date.