By Krystal Smalley
ksmalley@wbcowqel.com
Two men who appeared in Crawford County Common Pleas Court on the same day last year for drug charges did so again, this time for probation violations.
Twenty-year-old Anthony Burns admitted to violating his community control when he operated a vehicle without a license, verbally abused Crawford County Sheriff’s deputies, stayed out past his curfew, and consumed alcohol, all of which occurred on Aug. 15. Burns chose not to admit to a fifth allegation – operating a motor vehicle while under the influence – because a DUI charge is pending.
“I’ve tried everything to help you,” said Judge Sean Leuthold during Monday’s proceedings. “You have no one to blame but yourself.”
Leuthold sentenced Burns to nine months in prison for the community control violations. Burns originally pleaded guilty to drug possession last November and received community control.
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Twenty-six-year-old Joshua Smith, of Mansfield, faced a similar fate. Smith, who also pleaded guilty to drug possession last year, admitted to changing his address without permission, failing to report to his monthly office visits, and failing to participate in his substance abuse counseling.
“Well, you didn’t commit a new crime, so I’ll give you that,” Leuthold said frankly. He countered that, however, with the point that one needed to show up and follow probation.
Smith was sentenced to eight months in prison for the probation violations.
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Two other men were sentenced to community control Monday afternoon.
Twenty-year-old Malcom Jackson was sentenced to five years on community control after previously pleading guilty to drug possession. The sentence included entrance into a drug and alcohol program, a $700.50 fine, and forfeiture of $1,729 to the Crawford County Sheriff’s Office and the Prosecutor’s Office.
“Mr. Jackson had a bad event one night,” explained defense attorney Thomas Nicholson. “We hope the court will give him a second chance on probation.”
“Well, the court doesn’t have much of a choice. I kind of have to,” Leuthold responded. “If you’re mixed up in that sort of stuff and you keep doing it, you’re going to be sent to prison.”
Thirty-four-year-old Matthew Burchett just got out of prison and he narrowly avoided going 
back. Burchett was in prison when a new charge, which occurred before he was sentenced, was brought against him.
“I’ve learned my lesson, Your Honor,” Burchett pleaded with the judge.
“You’ve been all through the system,” Leuthold said as he ordered Burchett to community control. “Please take advantage of that.”
The judge placed Burchett on probation for five years, suspended his driver’s license for six months, and fined him $1,250.
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Seven months in prison was enough for Jeremy Schaffer. The 34-year-old Bucyrus man was granted judicial release after serving just seven months out of his 24-month prison sentence for drug possession.
“I think you’ve got a chance to get your act together,” Leuthold said.
Schaffer was placed on community control for five years upon his release. If he fails on community control, he could serve the remainder of his 24-month sentence.
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