Three sentenced to prison, one to county jail Monday

Abendigo Kindler has had a long history with the courts in Crawford County, but Judge Sean Leuthold is hoping the latest trip will put Kindler on a straighter path.

By Gary Ogle and Krystal Smalley
gogle@wbcowqel.com
ksmalley@wbcowqel.com

Abendigo Kindler has had a long history with the courts in Crawford County, but Judge Sean Leuthold is hoping the latest trip will put Kindler on a straighter path.

The 30-year-old Galion man pleaded guilty to two counts of drug possession, both fifth-degree felonies, and to a bill of information for felony 4 theft in Crawford County Common Pleas Court Monday afternoon. Kindler received two 12-month prison sentences for the drug possession charges and an 18-month sentence for the theft charge. The sentences will be served consecutively for a total of 42 months in prison.

Kindler must also pay $15,175.38 in restitution on the theft charge and a $1,250 fine for the drug charges.

Leuthold, who dealt with Kindler in Municipal Court, expressed disappointment in the defendant.

“I don’t know what it’s going to take to get your head on straight,” Leuthold said.

Thirty-nine-year-old Aaron Buchanan’s hearing was efficient Monday morning. The hearing cleared three cases totaling five counts and resulted in concurrent prison sentences totaling 12 months.

Buchanan of Galion was charged with and pleaded guilty to fourth-degree felony safe-cracking, fifth-degree felony drug trafficking, two counts of fourth-degree felony drug trafficking and one count of misdemeanor illegal distribution of a dangerous drug.

The judge sentenced Buchanan to concurrent 12-month sentences on the trafficking charges and six months for safe-cracking for a total of 12 months.

“Mr. Buchanan did a lot of stupid things,” the judge said noting the trafficking did not involve heroin or cocaine. “I believe this is more than fair.”

Thomas Thompson pleaded guilty to felony 4 theft and was sentenced to six months in prison. He made a deal with the prosecution, however, that could allow him to combine his newest prison sentence with ones handed down in other counties.

Forty-two-year-old Thompson will have one year to pay off $1,240 in restitution. If he is able to do so, Leuthold instructed Thompson’s attorney to file a motion to have the sentence changed from consecutive to concurrent.

“This is a crime of the elderly and this county takes it very seriously,” Leuthold said, noting that Thompson did not complete construction for an elderly person. “Getting the victim reimbursed is my number one priority in this case.”

Twenty-four-year-old Jessica Rowalt pleaded guilty to drug trafficking and trafficking in marijuana, both fifth-degree felonies. Rowalt was sentenced to five years on community control and 90 days in the county jail. She must also complete drug and alcohol counseling and was sentenced $1,250.

Cody Holt was arraigned on a charge of fifth-degree felony drug trafficking. Leuthold set Holt’s bond at $75,000.

Tyler Sims returned to court as a result of allegations he violated his community control. Sims’ bond was set at $150,000.

Jonathan Marks is charged with violating the terms of his treatment in lieu of conviction program from a case dating to 2014. When Marks tested positive for K2 on three separate tests on Monday he was taken into custody and bond was set at $50,000.