BUCYRUS—Jason Barker, 34, of Galion, appeared in Crawford County Common Pleas Court on Monday on a summons by the Crawford County Grand Jury.
Barker was originally charged with felonious assault, a felony of the second degree punishable with up to 8 years in prison and one count of child endangerment, a felony of the third degree punishable with up to 36 months in prison.
Crawford County Common Pleas Court Judge Sean Leuthold accepted Barker’s not guilty plea and appointed attorney Andrew Motter to represent him.
Barker posted $25,000 when he was charged in Municipal Court and asked that his bond be continued.
Judge Leuthold listened to allegations in the case and heard arguments for bond from both the state and defense.
Assistant Prosecutor Ryan Hoovler told the court that when the defendant’s two-year-old child was injured, he lied to doctors and said his son fell down, breaking his leg.
According to Hoovler, upon further investigation, it was revealed that Barker was wrestling with the two-year-old when the child head-butted Barker.
“His reaction was to kick the two-year-old child breaking his leg,” Hoovler said.
Hoovler said that although the defendant has no criminal history, the bond had been set too low. He asked for a $75,000.00 bond.
Defense attorney Andrew Motter told the court his client had obeyed the conditions of his bond. He currently resides with his parents and has had no contact with any of the children in the home or his wife since he posted bond. He asked the court to honor the original bond set. He told the court his client is disabled and does not work.
Judge Leuthold quickly expressed that he had every right to increase the bond on the defendant. Based on the fact that he had no prior record, Judge Leuthold kept the bond amount the same but made stricter special conditions of bond:
“Mr. Barker starts at zero with me. I’ll keep the posted bond in place, but he is on 100 percent house arrest. Your client doesn’t work, so he doesn’t need to leave that house for anything except to meet with you or for emergency medical attention. For doctor appointments, he’d better get permission from my probation department. He is to have no contact with his wife or any juveniles.” Leuthold said.
In other court news, Kelly Johnson, 36, pleaded guilty to one count of obstruction of official business and one count of harassment, each fifth-degree felonies and each punishable with up to 12 months in prison.
In an agreed plea negotiation, Judge Leuthold sentenced Johnson to a flat 24 months in prison. He will receive 101 days of jail time credit.
A warrant was issued for the arrest of Robert Everett, 42, of Bucyrus, who failed to appear for his hearing. He is charged with aggravated possession of methamphetamines, a felony of the fifth degree punishable with up to 12 months in prison.
Everett’s attorney, Ed Bibler, told the court his client has not been able to be reached since he posted bond on October 26th.