By Krystal Smalley
ksmalley@wbcowqel.com
The wishes of the victims in Delbert Myers’ case were the difference in a few years being knocked off his prison sentence.
In Crawford County Common Pleas Court Tuesday afternoon, Myers, 23, pleaded guilty to felony 2 burglary, which carries a maximum prison sentence of eight years. He received a five-year prison sentence instead, mostly due to the victims asking for leniency in the case.
The burglary charge stemmed from a domestic violence incident after the victim fled to her parents’ home. Myers followed and attempted to break into the house, but he was forced to leave at gunpoint by the victim’s stepfather.
Though Myers appeared composed when he walked into the courtroom, his calmness slowly disappeared as Judge Sean Leuthold led the defendant through his rights.
When Leuthold asked how Myers pleaded to the charge, it was a long moment before he could answer.
Puffing his cheeks out then releasing a heavy sigh, Myers paused for a bit before he finally uttered one word in an emotional voice.
“Guilty,” he said.
Myers will serve three years on post-release control after his prison sentence. Additional charges of domestic violence and domestic threat were dismissed as part of the guilty plea. Leuthold cautioned Myers, however, that he will still have to deal with probation violations in Richland County where he was on community control.
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Thomas Owens will also be spending nearly five years in prison for his crimes. The 48-year-old Galion man was sentenced to 59 months in prison on three felonies.
Owens pleaded guilty to felony 3 drug possession, felony 3 having weapons under disability, and felony 5 drug possession earlier this month. He was sentenced to 36 months in prison for the felony 3 drug possession, 12 months for having weapons under disability, and 11 months for the felony 5 drug possession. The sentences will be served consecutively for a total of 59 months.
Owens started off the hearing on shaky footing after he tested positive for opiates, cocaine, and amphetamines. A quick discussion between Leuthold, defense attorney Robert Whitney, and Owens determined that the defendant was capable of understanding his circumstances. Assistant prosecutor Ryan Hoovler, however, indicated that the positive drug test may change the state’s position of early release for Owens.
In a raspy voice, Owens admitted to dealing with some difficult issues recently, which spiraled into his using drugs a few days before his hearing.
Owens, who has already served two prison terms, will have to forfeit a handgun, cash, drugs, and drug paraphernalia to the Galion Police Department. He was also fined $6,250 between the two cases.
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Christopher Grandstaff’s time on community control will be up in August, but he didn’t quite make it that far. The 30-year-old Mt. Gilead man appeared in court for probation violation allegations.
Grandstaff allegedly failed to report to his supervising officer and failed to notify that officer of his address change. Leuthold set bond at $50,000 and appointed Geoffrey Stoll to represent Grandstaff.
Grandstaff was placed on community control in 2014 after pleading guilty to felony 4 burglary. He is currently facing a possible 18-month prison sentence.
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