By Krystal Smalley
ksmalley@wbcowqel.com
Twenty-seven-year-old Jesse Isaacs had an epiphany while in prison and hoped that Judge Leuthold would see how he has changed.
Isaacs was serving two years in prison after committing a felony while on community control. Isaacs made a motion for judicial release, which was mistakenly supported by the county prosecutor’s office until they realized that early release was never a part of Isaacs’ sentence.
Judge Leuthold heard an argument from Isaacs’ attorney, Andrew Motter, and assistant prosecutor Ryan Hoovler on the motion for judicial release. Motter stated that his client had been involved in numerous programs while in prison but Isaacs only has 10 months left on the sentence, which Motter said was not enough time to enroll in the longer programs.
Isaacs said he has accepted fault for what he did and has learned how to better conduct himself while in prison. However, he said, that time has punished his family more than it has him.
“I’ve seen that I’ve got a lot more going for me than I thought I did,” Isaacs told Leuthold in an emotional voice. He added that the judicial release request was more for his family than for him.
Hoovler argued that Isaacs pleaded guilty to two felonies in 2012, which put Isaacs on community control when he committed breaking and entering in 2014. The State offered a flat time of two years in prison in exchange for Isaacs’ guilty plea on that case.
“Families of a convicted felon are punished. It happens in every case,” Hoovler argued. “We’re here because he agreed to do his time.”
Judge Leuthold agreed. “There’s no way, Mr. Isaacs, I’d let you out today,” Leuthold warned him before continuing. “I am impressed with what you’ve said. I’m not an easy man to move but I’m moved by what you’ve told me.”
Instead, Judge Leuthold split the difference between 10 more months in prison and granting judicial release. He said he would make a recommendation to the prison to approve Isaacs for transitional control, which could potentially move Isaacs into a halfway house during the last six months of his prison sentence.
“Keep in mind – I didn’t have to do this,” Leuthold reminded Isaacs. “I did this because I think you’ve got the picture.”
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Thirty-six-year-old Rocky McCleese pleaded guilty to drug possession, a fifth-degree felony, in Crawford County Common Pleas Court Monday afternoon.
Leuthold continued McCleese’s $100,000 bond and ordered a pre-sentence investigation. As part of the plea agreement, the recommended sentence included five years on community control with the first 90 days spent in the Crawford County jail, entrance into a drug and alcohol treatment program, a $1,250 fine, a six-month driver’s license suspension, and forfeiture of drug-related items being held to the Bucyrus Police Department.
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