By Gary Ogle
gogle@wbcowqel.com

Common Pleas Court Judge Russell Wiseman declined to lower Jeremy Copeland’s bond, but did agree on Tuesday to move up his trial date. Copeland is charged with Felony 1 rape and is being held on $500,000 bond. The victim is a minor under the age of 15 at the time of the alleged offense.

Copeland’s attorney, Robert Wilson, had submitted the motion for a bond reduction. Wilson, citing Copeland’s lifelong residency in Morrow and Richland counties, as well as his owning a business, another employer promising him a job if released and his lack of a previous criminal record, asked that Copeland’s bond be reduced even if it meant the 36-year-old Copeland would have to wear a monitoring device if freed from the county jail.

Assistant Prosecutor Ryan Hovvler opposed the motion, noting the age of the victim and the nature of the offense. Hoovler also pointed out that Copeland was a friend of the victim’s family.

Wilson then asked if it would be possible, in light of not reducing bond, to move the trial up from its scheduled September date.

Wiseman took note of the seriousness of the offense, but did offer three alternatives for an earlier trial date and Wilson opted for Aug. 7.

Two men were sentenced to prison after admitting to violating community control. In accordance with plea arrangements with the County Prosecutor’s Office, Steven Fry was sentenced to nine months in prison and Zachary Marshall was given an eight-month sentence.

Twenty-nine-year-old Kimberly Fox of Bucyrus also had an initial hearing for community control violations. Fox is alleged to have violated community control be being in possession of heroin and drug paraphernalia, changing her residence without permission and not reporting to her probation officer.

Judge Russell Wiseman assigned Timothy O’Leary as Fox’s defense counsel, continued the case and set her bond at $50,000. Fox was convicted in August of 2013 of felony drug possession.

Donald Fetters pleaded guilty to violating community control Fetters will continue on community control but must complete an acceptable in-patient treatment program.

Thomas Whitt and Nathan Monk were both placed on the intervention in lieu of conviction program after pleading guilty to charges of felony drug possession.

Nicholas Saunders was placed on three years of community control after pleading guilty to felony three theft. Saunders stole a shotgun from his father. Saunders is currently on the county’s MAT program for drug addiction.