BUCYRUS — More than two years since an incident where a former corrections officer was accused of holding a motorist at gunpoint, the trial of Jason Tupps began Tuesday in Crawford County Common Pleas Court.
Tupps, 45, of Galion is represented by Mansfield Attorney James Mayer III and assistant counsel Sean Boone. Because Tupps is a former employee of the Crawford County Sheriff’s Department, visiting Judge Robert Pollex of Wood County is presiding over the case. Special Prosecutor Margaret Tomaro of the Ohio Attorney General’s Office is prosecuting.
Tupps is charged with one count of improper handling of a firearm in a motor vehicle, a fourth-degree felony punishable with up to 18 months in prison, one count of abduction, one count of bribery, both third-degree felonies and each punishable with up to 36 months in prison and three first-degree misdemeanors each punishable with up to 180 days in jail.
In opening arguments, Tomaro told the jury they would be hearing a lot of evidence that she broke down into two categories. In the first part of testimony the jury would hear facts about how Tupps worked on July 9, 2018 and left his job to run errands in his personal vehicle but was still in uniform with a loaded gun in his car.
Tomaro told the jury that evidence would prove Tupps purchased alcohol and was driving down County Line Road in Galion when he came upon the victim’s car. Tomaro told the jury evidence would prove that he became agitated at the victim and she tried to pull off the road to allow him to pass. Instead of passing her, Tupps followed her, hit her car, and ordered her out of the car and onto the ground at gunpoint. Tomaro told the jury the victim was in fear for her life.
The second category Tomaro promised to prove was that of bribery. At the time of the alleged bribery, Attorney Adam Stone was representing Tupps. Stone had hired Megan Futchi of Cleveland to consult on the case. Another witness, Brittany Miller, was set to testify for Tupps as well.
While in collaboration in the case, Futchi became pregnant with Adam Stone’s child. Tomaro further revealed that Stone also had a baby with Miller. According to Tomaro the women conspired together after Tupps reached out to Futchi who was no longer consulting on his case.
“They hatched a plan. ‘Come to Bucyrus and stay with me,’ Miller told Futchi,” Tomaro said.
The plan involved bringing women from Cleveland to frequent establishments where the officers involved in the case might visit. Futchi planned to use these women to get information to discredit the officers.
“They wanted to dig into their personal lives (officers) and put the dirt out there on social media,” Tomaro said.
When Futchi e-mailed Stone and told him she was back on the case, he told her he would allow her to be in the information loop again. When Stone spoke to Tupps, he told him it was fine if he wanted Futchi back, but not to give her any money and not to use any media.
The bribery allegedly occurred when Miller drove Futchi to the home of Tupps’ parents.
“Tupps doesn’t have any money so he goes to his parents. They want to help their son, like any parent would,” Tomaro said.
Futchi asked the Tupps for $6000. However, they only gave her $4000. Tomaro said Miller was promised $1000 but did not receive any money.
Tomaro said when Stone learned of the payout, he called her office immediately and was taken off the case, becoming a witness.
In opening statements, Boone outlined Tupps’ long career with the Crawford County Sheriff’s Department. He noted Tupps had been an officer for 20 years until this incident. Boone explained that the job of a deputy follows the deputy at all times.
“On July 9, 2018, Mr. Tupps was a sworn deputy,” Boone said.
Boone outlined the events of the day leading up to Tupps driving on County Line Road at 55 miles per hour. Boone contended that Tupps followed the alleged victim after she failed to stop after an accident.
“He called 911. She exited her car with her cell phone in hand,” Boone said. “He backs up, orders her on the ground for 3-4 minutes. They (911) didn’t care about what he says. He asked them to come to the scene numerous times.”
When officers arrived, Boone told the jury they seemed focused on the smell of alcohol. He told the jury that ultimately Tupps was taken to the station.
“On the advice of his attorney, Adam Stone, he refused a breathalyzer test,” Boone said.
Boone contended that, as a sworn deputy, Tupps had the power to pursue an offender and that the alleged victim saw he was clearly in uniform, backing up and calling 911.
Boone also said that Stone and Tupps had discussed various ideas of defense in this case. He noted Tupps had already paid Futchi $5000 to be a consultant on the case to create an animation of the events. Her work did not please Tupps and he fired her.
Boone explained that, during all this, Futchi became pregnant with Stone’s baby. He said the women (Futchi and Miller) learned of each other and began to talk. Boone contended that Futchi asked Stone for money and he refused so she decided to “weasel” her way back into the case.
Boone further contended that when Tupps realized he should not have paid the money he tried to get it back but Futchi would not return it. Boone told the jury to pay careful attention and apply the evidence as related to each of the charges.