BUCYRUS — Daniel Dowell of Crestline appeared in Crawford County Common Pleas Court Wednesday to plead guilty to three counts of possession of drugs, each fifth-degree felonies and each punishable with up to one year in prison.
In a plea negotiation, Common Pleas Court Judge Sean Leuthold sentenced Dowell, 58, to 10 months in prison on each count to run concurrently for a total of 10 months in prison.
Dowell was ordered to forfeit a cell phone and case to the Crestline Police Department.
In other court news, Shannon Thorpe, 43, of Marengo pleaded guilty to one count of aggravated possession of drugs, a fifth-degree felony punishable with up to one year in prison.
Leuthold sentenced Thorpe to five years of community control. She must complete a drug and alcohol assessment and any follow-up treatment. If she fails to complete community control, she faces one year in prison. She was ordered to forfeit all drug-related property to the appropriate agencies.
A bond hearing and appointment of counsel was heard via video from the Crawford County Jail. Mathew C. Carpenter, 40, of Bucyrus is charged with tampering with evidence, a third-degree felony punishable with up to three years in prison. Originally we were given the wrong name it has now been corrected. Sorry for any inconvenience this caused anyone.
According to allegations, Carpenter was in a room at the Rainbow Hotel in Galion attempting to move the body of a woman who had overdosed on drugs. When EMS arrived, they administered Narcan, but the woman died.
Galion Police responded to the scene and upon review of security footage, it is alleged that Carpenter threw a pack of cigarettes containing drugs in the bushes.
Attorney Andrew Motter was present to argue bail on behalf of Carpenter. Assistant prosecutor Ryan Hoovler addressed the court.
“Getting rid of evidence in a death is a very serious crime,” Hoovler said. “This was done to interfere with an investigation into a death.” Hoovler asked for a $75,000 bond.
Motter told the court Carpenter had recently moved to Richland County but had ties to Crawford County. He said Carpenter was unable to work and was on disability. Citing that Carpenter had no previous felony record, Motter suggested that the usual bond in a tampering with evidence case with no prior felonies is a personal recognizance bond.
Leuthold acknowledged the very serious nature of the circumstances surrounding the crime.
“This is a very serious crime. A person had died. Rather than assisting a dying person, he allegedly got rid of evidence,” Leuthold said.
After considering bond regulations and the fact the Carpenter had no prior record, Leuthold set bond at $15,000. Leuthold appointed Motter to represent Carpenter.