BUCYRUS—Sarah Renee Barker, 37, of Galion, appeared in Crawford County Common Pleas Court on Monday following her arrest at a routine office visit when she tested positive for fentanyl and cocaine.
Barker, who was on bond after being charged with aggravated vehicular homicide, was originally ordered to appear last Monday for the test. She called and rescheduled the test for Tuesday. When she tested positive for fentanyl and cocaine, probation officer Eric Bohach took her into custody.
Assistant Prosecutor Ryan Hoovler told the court that Barker was under the influence of and admitted to using fentanyl the day before she ran a stop sign at Biddle Rd. and Rt. 19, hitting a car. The driver of the vehicle succumbed to injuries shortly after the wreck.
Hoovler told the court that her continued drug use after posting bond required a much higher bond. He asked the court for bond to be raised to $250,000.
Attorney Emily Beckley argued on Barker’s behalf for the purpose of bond.
Beckley told the court that her client works 50-60 hours a week and takes care of her father. She asked that the previously posted bond be continued with an ankle monitor. Beckley also asked the court for the positive drug test to be sent to a lab. She indicated Barker is on medication for depression, and the test may have been a false positive. She said Barker would pay for the testing.
Crawford County Common Pleas Court Judge Sean Leuthold told The court: “I have never heard of a depression medication causing a false positive drug test for fentanyl and cocaine. This was an original F5. The bond was $50,000. It is now a first-degree felony. On Friday, she tests positive again. I think a higher bond is adequate in this case. Bond is set in the amount of $250,000.
In other court news, Sean Rhodes, 21, of Mansfield, appeared in court to have bond set after he violated the terms and conditions of his community control.
Rhodes was placed on five years of community control in May of 2020 after he pleaded guilty to possession of drugs, a felony of the third degree punishable with up to 36 months in prison.
Probation officer Jeremy Clay filed a violation on Rhodes after he hit a pedestrian in a parking lot in Mansfield and fled the scene. The 78-year-old victim suffered a broken pelvis, nose, collarbone, and various other injuries.
Rhodes turned himself in and posted a $2500 bond in Richland County.
Attorney Emily Beckley asked the court to release Rhodes based on the bond he posted in Richland County.
Judge Leuthold agreed with Assistant Prosecutor Ryan Hoovler for a $35,000 bond. Judge Leuthold noted that Rhodes committed the offense while on community control and the seriousness of the injuries to the victim as a basis for the bond.