By Krystal Smalley
ksmalley@wbcowqel.com
Tuesday’s Common Pleas Court docket saw one man avoid prison, another get released early from prison and both men headed into treatment programs.
Thirty-six-year-old Rocky McCleese was set to be sentenced to community control for five years but a special request will see the Bucyrus man on his way to Youngstown instead. McCleese, who pleaded guilty to drug possession in November, asked Judge Sean Leuthold if he could be placed in Teen Challenge, a faith-based recovery program, in Youngstown before starting his community control sentence. His request was backed by local pastor Danny Akers.
“I’m very skeptical,” Leuthold told McCleese. “It is not an easy program.”
Leuthold reminded McCleese that if he does not finish the program or abide by his community control conditions, the judge would not hesitate in sending McCleese to prison, especially with his past record.
“Just remember that I’ve given you this opportunity,” Leuthold said. “This is another one I’ll be checking.”
“That’s what I expect,” McCleese replied.
Leuthold granted the request to place McCleese in the Teen Challenge program but stipulated that McCleese will be held in the county jail until his placement.
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Fifty-seven-year-old Russell Gardner was granted judicial release after just eight months in prison. Gardner, who pleaded guilty to permitting drug abuse, drug possession, and drug trafficking in April, avoided a significant portion of his 36-month prison sentence with the early release.
“I have just enough faith to give you a chance,” commented Leuthold, who said Gardner looked like a “strung-out, drugged-out walking corpse” the first time they met.
Leuthold granted the judicial release with the stipulation that Gardner remain in the county jail until he can be placed in the Volunteers of America or another similar program. Gardner will still have five years of community control awaiting him after he completes the inpatient treatment program.
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