BUCYRUS — After a grueling first day of testimony in his trial, Richard Awbrey of Bucyrus decided to change his plea in the proceeding and go straight to sentencing in Crawford County Common Pleas Court on Thursday.
Awbrey, 45, was facing more than 13 years in prison after being charged with one count of failure to comply, a third-degree felony punishable with up to 36 months in prison, one count of drug trafficking, a second-degree felony punishable with up to eight years in prison and three fifth-degree felonies each punishable with up to 12 months in prison. Awbrey also pleaded guilty to violating the terms and conditions of his community control.
Common Pleas Court Judge Sean Leuthold held the jury in the deliberation room while the details of the plea negotiation were worked out between the state and Awbrey, who was represented by Bucyrus attorney Tom Nicholson.
Before passing sentence on Awbrey, Leuthold asked the state for comments.
Assistant Prosecutor Ryan Hoovler told the court he wanted the thank Officers Winkelman, Carey and Hulsmeyer for their outstanding police work.
“Without their fine police work, we wouldn’t have had such a powerful case,” Hoovler said. “The state also recognizes Mr. Awbrey for his actions in making the decision to spare his friends and people he cared about from testifying in this case. The state is satisfied with the agreement. It does call for more time to be served by Mr. Awbrey than earlier offers included.”
Nicholson told the court that his client was sorry for his vulgar language heard in court.
“I believe Mr. Awbrey was under the influence of alcohol at the time,” Nicholson said.
“I apologize to the court and all parties involved,” Awbrey said. “I just want to put this behind me and get on with my life.”
“This case has had months and months of negotiations prior to coming to trial,” Leuthold said. “I believe you are an intelligent guy. No one can say Richard Awbrey is stupid. The problem is you got mixed up in drugs. You live in Crawford County and you know you don’t do this in Crawford County. I believe if you stay away from drugs you can turn your life around.”
Leuthold terminated Awbrey’s community control as unsuccessful. He sentenced Awbrey to 12 months in prison for the failure to comply, six years for the second-degree felony of drug trafficking and 12 months each on the remaining three counts of possession of drugs. Awbrey will serve a total of nine years in prison.
Awbrey was ordered to forfeit all drug-related property including $1854 in cash, $4980 on a card, and cars. Awbrey will have a ten-year driver’s license suspension. He will receive jail time credit of 314 days.