BUCYRUS—Dustin Yeager, 36, of Crestline, appeared in Crawford County Common Pleas Court via video from the Crawford County Jail for allegedly violating the terms and conditions of his community control. Yeager was placed on community control in September after he pleaded guilty to domestic violence, a felony of the fourth degree punishable with up to 18 months in prison. Yeager is awaiting transport to prison on charges out of Richland County.
According to probation officer Jeremy Clay, the violations occurred out of incidents in the jail.Yeager was punished in jail for spitting on another inmate and assault, for which he was disciplined with lockdown. The jail did not file formal charges in those incidents.
Clay told the court that he received several recorded calls from the jail that were made by Yeager threatening the victim and her family.
Crawford County Common Pleas Court Judge Sean Leuthold told the court that although the jail did not formally charge Yeager, there was still probable cause to set the matter for a full hearing.
Leuthold appointed attorney Andrew Motter to continue to represent Yeager. Leuthold listened to arguments from the State and defense regarding bond.
Assistant Prosecutor Ryan Hoovler told the court that Yeager is in jail on a state parole violation related to his post-release parole from prison. Hoover told the court Yeager’s Parole Officer is seeking additional charges regarding these alleged violations.
Hoovler presented a portion of the recordings to the court. “The Jail calls are very frightening. It is safe to say the victim in some way was egging him on, but Mr. Yeager took that and made some very violent threats to the victim and her family.” Hoovler said.
Hoovler played a portion of two calls. Yeager is heard to say, “I’ll cut your head off. I’ll kill your kids, and I might just cut your Dad’s head off.”
Based on Yeager’s criminal history, the underlying domestic violence case, and the threats against the victim, Hoovler asked for a $100,000.00 bond.
Attorney Tom Nicholson was present in court for the purposes of arguing bond. Nicholson pointed out that Yeager had a job and was a tax-paying citizen. He said Yeager had ties to the community and had lived here his whole life:
“We’ve all had trouble with our women, some more than others. I’ve been divorced and had significant trouble with mine. We’ve said things we didn’t mean. Perhaps this is one of them. We hope the bond will be less than the $100,000.00.
Judge Leuthold noted that Yeager is awaiting transport to prison; “ This was an argument between two people who had been in a relationship. People do say things they don’t necessarily mean. But the threats, in this case, were egregious. I’ll kill you, cut your head off, kill your family, and so on… it’s because of that, and the underlying domestic violence charge bond is set at $100,000.00.” Leuthold said.