BUCYRUS — Shannon Jackson of Bucyrus appeared in Crawford County Common Pleas Court Wednesday to plead to charges that he violated the terms and conditions of his community control.
In July, Jackson was placed on community control after he pleaded guilty to burglary, a fourth-degree felony punishable with up to 18 months in prison. One of the conditions of his community control was that Jackson, 28, would have no contact with the victim, his ex-wife.
According to probation officer Chris Heydinger, Jackson violated the terms and conditions of his community control on October 3 when he harassed his ex-wife using Facebook. He failed to report contact with the police following a crash and then lied about the police contact.
When asked if he had anything to say before sentencing, Jackson apologized to the court.
Common Pleas Court Judge Sean Leuthold told Jackson, “This is your ex-wife. You have been in a new long-term relationship. Why will you not leave your ex-wife alone? You are constantly interfering in her life. You’re driving around her house. Let it go. It’s over. Stay the hell away from her.”
Leuthold imposed the full 18-month sentence on Jackson. He will receive credit for jail time served and was warned not to attempt contact with the victim from prison. Jackson’s court-appointed attorney, Joel Spitzer, asked permission for his client to have contact with the victim to arrange visitation with their children after he is released from prison.
“I will address that at judicial release. Don’t think you’re going to be smarter than I am, Mr. Jackson,” Leuthold said. “Do you think I’m the kind of guy who will let this go on in Crawford County? Do you think I’m not smart enough to see what’s going on in your head? You’re not smarter than me, not even close. I don’t let victims get harassed. If you come out and do this again, your ass will be right back in prison.”
In other court action, Cody Akers, 32, of Ashland pleaded guilty to violating the terms and conditions of his community control. Akers was placed on community control in 2018 after pleading guilty to one count of theft, a fourth-degree felony punishable with up to 18 months in prison.
According to probation officer Mark Alspach, Akers possessed illegal substances on October 6, associated with a felon and overdosed on heroin in Ashland County.
Leuthold admonished Akers for his attitude during the proceeding.
“Sit up straight and answer my questions with a yes or a no,” Leuthold said. “Don’t act like Mr. Cool Breeze in here.”
Leuthold sentenced Akers to a flat nine months in prison. He told Akers he would not oppose transitional control if the prison asked for it.
Natasha Moran, 25, of Crestline was sentenced to six months in prison after she pleaded guilty to possession of drugs, a fifth-degree felony punishable with up to 12 months in prison. Moran was ordered to forfeit all drug related property to the Crestline Police Department.
Moran told the court she is babysitting for the child of a pregnant woman who was recently sent to prison.
“Look, you’ve been doing good and testing clean while out on bond. You are too young to die,” Leuthold said. “Don’t go down the path your friend is going down.”
Moran was given a report date of January 6, 2020 at 5:30 p.m. to report to the Crawford County Sherriff for transport to prison.
Warrants were issued for two defendants who did not appear for their hearings on Wednesday.
Shanna Boggs, 41, of Crestline was scheduled to plead guilty to one count of possession of drugs, a fifth-degree felony, and one count of possession of drugs, a misdemeanor. Boggs’ court-appointed attorney, Tani Eyer, explained that Boggs was in the emergency room at Galion Hospital this morning and is scheduled to have surgery in the coming days. Leuthold told Eyer he would hold the warrant to give Boggs time to prove she was a patient and that surgery is scheduled.
Scott Balliet, 42, of Crestline failed to appear for his pretrial. Balliet is charged with one count of possession of drugs, a fifth-degree felony punishable with up to 12 months in prison.
Balliet’s court-appointed attorney, Geoff Stoll, told the court he had not heard from Balliet. Stoll was at court early to meet with his client. Leuthold ordered Balliet arrested and held without bail.