By Gary Ogle and Krystal Smalley
gogle@wbcowqel.com; ksmalley@wbcowqel.com
Possession of oxycodone without a prescription is a crime and possession of a great deal of oxycodone is a crime worthy of a prison sentence. That was the reality for Crestline resident Charles Brown on Tuesday.
Brown pleaded guilty to third-degree felony aggravated drug possession in Crawford County Common Pleas Court. Judge Russell Wiseman accepted the plea arrangement with the county prosecutor’s office and sentenced the 29-year-old Brown to 18 months in prison and imposed the mandatory $5,000 drug fine. The maximum sentence allowed is 36 months is prison and $10,000 fine.
Brown must also surrender drug-related property seized by the Crawford County Sheriff’s Office which includes $288 in cash.
Cody Cottrell managed to avoid prison but there was still a price to pay for the 27-year-old Crestline man. Cottrell pleaded guilty to third-degree felony fleeing. He was fined the maximum $10,000 and placed on community control for five years. Cottrell fled on a motorcycle from a highway patrolman in September. The ensuing chase hit speeds in excess of 100 miles per hour on Ohio 181.
“I am really truly sorry, said Cottrell who extended his apology specifically to the pursuing officer. “I am lucky to be here.”
Ricky Jordan Jr. appeared in Common Pleas Court for an initial hearing on an alleged community control violation. Jordan is accused of walking away from the Volunteers of America residential facility in Mansfield. Wiseman set bond at $100,000 and appointed Rolf Whitney to represent Jordan.
The prosecution determined that Robbi Potter’s stay in the county jail fulfills his six-month prison sentence.
Potter appeared in Common Pleas Court Tuesday afternoon for a change of plea. The 32-year-old Bucyrus man pleaded guilty to domestic violence, a fourth-degree felony and had a second-degree felony for kidnapping dismissed. Assistant prosecutor Ryan Hoovler explained that there were changes in the victim’s testimony and she didn’t object to the resolution.
As part of his plea agreement, Potter was sentenced to six months in prison with credit for 185 days in credit. The state determined that his jail time credit fulfilled his prison sentence. He was also fined $1,250.
Potter admitted to causing physical harm to a household member on July 9, 2014 and had previously been convicted of sexual battery in December of 2006.
Thirty-two-year-old David Dean of Tiro pleaded guilty to theft after failing on his diversion program. Dean had been placed on diversion in April but failed to keep to the terms of his program. He admitted to moving from his reported address without permission from his supervising officer. Dean was supposed to have been living in Michigan during his diversion program but was found to be living in Tiro instead.
Dean’s guilty plea, which had originally been held until he successfully completed his diversion program, was submitted. He was found guilty, had his diversion revoked, and was ordered to serve five years on community control. Dean was ordered to enter into an inpatient drug and alcohol treatment program. He will be held in the county jail until he can be placed in a program. Dean must also pay a $750 fine and the balance of restitution to the victim in the amount of $6,200.