BUCYRUS—Stephanie Morgan, 35, of Galion, appeared in Crawford County Common Pleas Court on Wednesday to ask the court to modify her bond and allow her to have contact with her victim.
Morgan posted a $25,000.00 bond and is awaiting trial on one count of domestic violence, a felony of the third degree punishable with up to 36 months in prison.
Morgan’s attorney Joel Spitzer motioned the court, asking for the no-contact order to be lifted. The 15-year-old victim is her child, who resides in the home with her husband. Spitzer told the court that counseling had been ordered through juvenile court and that his client had endured extra expenses because she has had to maintain a separate residence.
Assistant Prosecutor Ryan Hoovler strongly objected to the motion; “This is a third-degree domestic violence charge. The defendant was intoxicated and blew a .198 on a breathalyzer after the victim called police and said, “my mother is hitting me.” The victim’s father has said the child is going to change their story.” Hoovler said.
Hoovler went on to tell the court that he is concerned that any more contact will put the child in the position where they believe they have to change their story because that is what the parents want the child to do. The victim is the principal witness in the case.
Crawford County Common Pleas Court Judge Sean Leuthold said he normally would not even consider the motion unless the victim appeared and requested it. In this case, the court would need to appoint an attorney to represent the juvenile.
“In this case, the victim is not coming forth to ask for contact with the defendant. I can’t grant this motion. I haven’t even heard from the child.” Leuthold said.
Morgan was offered a plea negotiation which she rejected. She is scheduled to stand trial by jury in the Crawford County Common Pleas Court on August 26th.
A warrant was issued for Charles Sampsel, 37, of Crestline. Sampsel failed to appear for a pretrial on Wednesday. Adult probation made several attempts to contact him, including visits to his listed address. He is charged with one count of corrupting another with drugs. A second-degree felony punishable with up to 8 years in prison and one count of trafficking in drugs, a fifth-degree felony. He also has a warrant for failure to appear issued out of Municipal Court. Leuthold ordered Sampsel to be held without bond when arrested.
Roma Ratliff, 63, of Bucyrus, appeared on an alleged community control violation. Ratliff was placed on community control in June after he pleaded guilty to domestic violence, a fourth-degree felony punishable with up to 18 months in prison.
According to probation officer Kylie Sinclair, Ratliff had contact with Bucyrus police and did not report the contact and was charged on July 21st with a new domestic violence charge involving the same victims.
Judge Leuthold entered a not guilty plea on Ratliff’s behalf and reappointed attorney Brian Gernert to represent him.
Due to Ratliff’s serious health issues, Leuthold allowed him a personal recognizance bond. He ordered to have no contact with the victims. The matter was set for a full hearing.
Tequila Crockett, 39, of Ft. Wayne, Indiana, pleaded guilty to one count of possession of drugs, a felony of the fifth degree punishable with up to 12 months in prison.
Judge Leuthold sentenced Crockett to five years of community control. She will forfeit all drug-related property to the Bucyrus Police Department.