BUCYRUS—One defendant charged in a large drug bust in Crestline appeared in Crawford County Common Pleas Court on Monday to sign a time waiver for a speedy trial and ask for a reduction in his $400,000.00 bond.
Gerald Cotsmire, 56, of Crestline, is charged with one count of engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity and two counts of aggravated possession of drugs (an excess of 250 grams of Methamphetamines), each first degree felonies and each punishable with up to 11 years in prison, two counts of having weapons under disability, each third-degree felonies and each punishable with up to three years in prison, one count of receiving stolen property, a fourth-degree felony punishable with up to 18 months in prison and one count of tampering with evidence, a fifth-degree felony punishable with up 12 months in prison.
Cotsmire appeared in court with his attorney Joel Spitzer. Spitzer assisted his client in signing paperwork waiving his right to a speedy trial. Cotsmire has been in jail since his arrest and is unable to post the required bond. According to law, a defendant being held in jail has a right to trial within 90 days. Cotsmire signed the waiver to allow a trial date to be set for an unspecified later time. Crawford County Common Pleas Court Judge Sean Leuthold witnessed the waiver by watching Cotsmire sign it.
Spitzer then argued for a reduction on the bond. Spitzer told the court his client had business to care for on his property and make arrangements for the animals.
Assistant Prosecutor Ryan Hoovler told the court that based on the magnitude of the drug bust, and the alleged admissions he made to officers, Cotsmire’s bond should remain the same.
Judge Leuthold agreed with the prosecution and kept Cotsmire’s bail at $400,000.00.
Cotsmire’s co-defendant, Sherie Pfleiderer, 57, also of Crestline, was not in court on Monday.