By Gary Ogle
gogle@wbcowqel.com
The local justice system made full use of the options available to it in administering corrective measures to offenders on Monday.
Forty-five-year-old Frederick Staats of Crestline pleaded guilty to the fourth-degree felony charge of assaulting a police officer and was sentenced to 18 months in prison. In exchange for the guilty plea, Assistant County Prosecutor Ryan Hoovler and the County Prosecutor’s Office agreed to dismiss misdemeanor charges of first-degree domestic violence and second-degree resisting arrest.
Crestline police were called to Staats’ residence regarding a domestic violence incident.
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Thirty-one-year-old Brian Javens was given the opportunity to stay out of prison, but he is returning to jail. Javens pleaded guilty to fifth-degree felony drug possession and first-degree misdemeanor endangering children.
Two other drug-related misdemeanor charges were dismissed.
Although a pre-sentence investigation will be done, Javens was sentenced to 180 days in the county jail on the endangering children charge and the recommended sentence for the felony charge is five years on community control with mandatory completion of a drug and alcohol treatment program, $1,250 fine and six-month driver’s license suspension. The felony sentence will be imposed upon the completion of the pre-sentence investigation.
“You should do a little soul searching,” Judge Sean Leuthold told Javens.
Galion police arrested Javens and his wife, Rachel Merritt, when a minor child called police about his parents using drugs in their home.
“I can’t imagine anything more shameful than having your minor child call the police on you,” Leuthold said. “You will either become a good father or an absentee father – absent in prison.”
The case against Merritt remains active.
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Sentencing for 30-year-old John Meacham went as expected. The Bucyrus man had previously pleaded guilty to two counts of fourth-degree felony drug trafficking.
Meacham was formally sentenced to five years on community control, fined a total of $4,500, ordered to complete an approved drug and alcohol treatment program and had his driver’s license suspended for six months.
Leuthold, noting for the record, said, “The defendant has a significant record, but no prior felonies.”
Defense attorney Thomas Nicholson, in conceding Meacham’s record, said, “He’s had a devil of a time staying out of trouble.” Nicholson added that Meacham’s family was hopeful this arrest and conviction would turn him around.
Additional charges of complicity and theft against Meacham were dropped in exchange for the guilty plea.
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