By Krystal Smalley and Gary Ogle
ksmalley@wbcowqel.com; gogle@wbcowqel.com
It seemed as if the Crawford County Common Pleas Court had a revolving door Monday when numerous community control violators returned to court.
Judge Russell Wiseman made it clear he wasn’t going to be fooled for a second time by Crystal Hill. The 26-year-old Marion woman appeared in Common Pleas Court for community control violations and what she hoped would be a chance to avoid any more prison time.
Hill was facing a long list of violations, which included testing positive for opiates on multiple occasions, failing to enter into a substance abuse program, failing to notify her supervising officer of her address, failing to report to her office visits, and being unsuccessfully terminated from a treatment program.
Adult Parole Officer Ken Dyer refused to cut Hill any more slack. He ran through her numerous transgressions and drug relapses that have occurred over the years while he has sought out help for her.
“She’s done nothing to help her problem. In fact, her pregnancy didn’t motivate her, her freedom didn’t motivate her,” Dyer said with a hint of frustration.
Defense attorney Shane Leuthold argued that Hill had voluntarily entered herself into the Foundations program at one point to kick her habit but she was never prepared to return society when she became clean.
“It’s just been a spiral ever since,” Leuthold said.
Rev. Margie Maddox stated that the Alpha 12 Step Recovery Program has been a benefit to Hill while she’s been in jail but Hill could still benefit from a relapse preventative plan. Maddox argued that Hill would not be able to know how to be in recovery until she is released from prison and in a relapse program.
In a prepared statement, Hill said there was “no excuse in the world” she could use for being pregnant and continuing to use drugs. She didn’t believe her current stay in jail was a punishment but a blessing.
“I’m asking for you mercy today. I know I messed up,” Hill said. She added that she didn’t want to go through the relapse preventative program for her family or to get Child Services off her back but to do it for herself.
“She’s had opportunities to learn all those things,” Dyer pointed out when it came to Maddox’s relapse preventative program. “I’m not buying any of these excuses.”
It seemed like Wiseman wouldn’t buy into them either. “The crime you were convicted of make you a threat to the community,” Wiseman said.
Wiseman put very little stock in Hill’s prepared statement, too, which he said echoed a letter he had received from her in 2011 asking for a second chance. He had given her one then but refused to do it again.
“I let a person convicted of robbery out of jail because I trusted you,” Wiseman said sharply. “I think this is another way for you to weasel out of it.” He added that Hill was a continual failure and had alienated her probation officer.
Wiseman ordered Hill to serve out the remainder of her four-year 2010 robbery sentence. He revoked Hill’s community control and placed her on post release control for three years after her prison sentence.
Joshua Blankenship will get to continue on his community control for a little while but first he must spend some time in prison. Blankenship had been granted judicial release in October of 2012 after having served time in prison for a 2009 robbery.
The 35-year-old Bucyrus man admitted in court Monday that he violated his community control when he possessed heroin numerous times, changed his address, failed to report to his office visits, and failed to comply with his substance abuse counseling. Those violations spanned from November 2012 to November 2013.
Blankenship will be continued on his community control with the stipulation that he serve seven months in the county jail, a sentence which had a start date of March 24. After his sentence, Blankenship will be unsuccessfully terminated from community control.
Thirty-five-year-old Mickey Williams of Mansfield may still be able to avoid an extended prison stay if he can remain on good behavior for a while more. Williams, who has been on community control since January after pleading guilty to theft, admitted that he changed his address without permission and failed to report to his office visits since his sentencing date.
Wiseman revoked Williams’ community control and sentenced him to 36 months in prison with possible judicial released after six months. Upon release Williams must enter into a Volunteers of America drug treatment program.
Michael Osborne admitted to his community control violations but was able to avoid any jail time. The 41-year-old Hollywood, Fla., man had been on probation since October of last year after pleading guilty to nonsupport of dependents.
Osborne admitted to possessing drug paraphernalia and Xanax and endangering a child on March 21. He was continued on community control with the stipulation that he enter into an out-patient treatment program approved by the Adult Parole Authority.
Richard Brown wanted to have his bond amended but, in light of his 16-count indictment, Judge Russell Wiseman refused to play ball.
Attorney Rolf Whitney argued that Brown, a 51-year-old Galion resident, is a local community member and had family residing here, making it very unlikely that Brown would become a flight risk. Without a previous record and serving as an ideal inmate, Whitney believed that Brown was a prime candidate to have his bond reduced.
Assistant prosecuting attorney Ryan Hoovler reported that County Prosecutor Matt Crall would not object to lowering the bond to $250,000, which would still help protect the community while ensuring Brown’s presence in court.
Wiseman had a slightly different notion in mind.
“Frankly, given the serious nature of the accusations, I don’t see a reason to lower the bond,” said Wiseman. He noted that as the case continued he might reconsider but denied the motion to amend the bond.
Brown is facing 16 felony two charges of pandering sexually oriented matter involving a minor. Each charge carries a maximum prison sentence of eight years.
Two people were granted intervention in lieu of conviction Monday afternoon.
Thirty-year-old Frankie Phipps, Jr., entered a guilty plea to a felony five burglary charge. He admitted to trespassing at 321 W. Charles St. with the purpose to commit a theft offense on Feb. 4. Phipps’ guilty plea will be held until he successfully completes his two-year intervention program.
Should Phipps fail on his intervention, he could face a maximum prison sentence of 12 months and a maximum fine of $2,500.
Thirty-four-year-old Daniel Donohue of Galion entered a guilty plea to a felony five forgery charge. He admitted to forging a check between Aug. 21 and 28. Donohue’s guilty plea will be held until he successfully completes his two-year intervention program. He must also pay $41.06 in restitution to the victim.
Donohue would face a maximum prison sentence of 12 months and a maximum fine of $2,500 if he fails on his intervention.
Forty-year-old John McKenzie of Mansfield was granted judicial released Monday afternoon. Per his plea agreement in November of 2013, McKenzie served six months on his 36-month prison sentence for drug possession. Wiseman granted his motion for judicial released and ordered McKenzie to undergo a drug and alcohol assessment and any recommended follow-up treatment. McKenzie will also serve three years on community control.
A 39-year-old Huron County man has had a forgery charge hanging over his head for five years and after Monday he has the opportunity to put it all behind him. Jose Maciel asked for and was granted his motion in Crawford County Common Pleas Court to be placed into the county’s diversion program after pleading guilty to a felony five forgery charge filed in 2009.
As part of his diversion, in which all felony charges will be dropped if he successfully completes the program, Maciel must pay restitution of over $2,100 to the victim.
In an unrelated case Theresa Ann Ringo asked to have records sealed and relief from prohibitions from a 1994 conviction for theft. Ringo’s motion was granted by Judge Russell Wiseman.