BUCYRUS—A lengthy and somewhat salacious trial along with more than five hours of deliberation by a jury led to the acquittal of a former sheriff’s department corrections officer.
Jason Tupps, 45, of Galion was found not guilty on six of the seven charges that included a gun speculation. If found guilty, Tupps could have been sent to prison for a mandatory three-year sentence.
Tupps, a former corrections officer with the Crawford County Sherriff’s Department was accused of holding a motorist at gunpoint in July of 2018 and threatening to shoot her. The incident led to multiple charges against Tupps including improper handling of a firearm, abduction, driving under the influence of alcohol, using weapons while intoxicated, aggravated menacing and assured clear distance ahead.
A jury of three women and nine men found Tupps guilty only of falsification, a misdemeanor of the first degree punishable with up to a $1000.00 fine and 180 days in jail. Tupps is represented by Mansfield attorneys James Mayer III and Sean Boone of Mansfield.
Visiting Wood County retired Judge Robert Pollex continued Tupps’ bond and will sentence him on the falsification charges on August 21, 2020, at 10 a.m. in Crawford County Common Pleas Court.
Crawford County Now is preparing a post-trial wrap-up including witness testimony and an interview with Tupps’ defense team.
