By Krystal Smalley
ksmalley@wbcowqel.com
Karin Assenheimer escaped a decades-long prison sentence, but she will still have to serve just under five years behind bars for drug crimes.
The 47-year-old rural Bucyrus woman previously pleaded guilty to two counts of deception to obtain dangerous drugs, second- and third-degree felonies. Crawford County Common Pleas Court Judge Sean Leuthold sentenced Assenheimer Wednesday to 48 months in prison for the second-degree felony and nine months on the third-degree felony. She must also pay a $7,500 fine.
Leuthold noted that, even if the prosecutor’s office had not dismissed six other felonies in her case thus drastically reducing her time in prison, she still would have needed to deal with similar charges in other counties. The county prosecutors that leveled charges against Assenheimer, however, agreed to have the matter of sentencing settled in Crawford County.
“Your life spiraled out of control into a horrific mess,” Leuthold said to Assenheimer. He added, however, that the mess was finally coming to an end.
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Jaya Horton was granted judicial release at the beginning of March after serving 90 days in prison, but he will be returning to finish the rest of his 30-month sentence.
The 23-year-old Crestline man admitted that he failed to report to his supervising officer, associated with a convicted felon, and possessed alcohol. Leuthold re-imposed the original 30-month prison sentence on the underlying charge of failing to comply with the order of a police officer.
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Fifty-year-old Thomas Chafin, Jr. pleaded guilty to breaking and entering, and possessing criminal tools, both fifth-degree felonies. He received the maximum penalties on both counts for a total of 24 months in prison.
Jacari Davison’s good behavior in the county jail and relatively minor probation violations saw Leuthold doing something he has never done before – he tossed out a recommended prison sentence.
Davison, 26, admitted he possessed marijuana and operated a vehicle with a suspended license while on community control. Though the prosecution and defense hashed out a recommended prison sentence of six months, Leuthold refused to follow through with it and, instead, ordered Davison to serve 60 days in the county jail.
“I don’t feel comfortable sending you to prison when you’ve paid everything, done everything right,” Leuthold said after it was revealed that Davison paid restitution in his receiving stolen property case. “I don’t believe Mr. Davison should be sent to prison right now.”
Leuthold did order Davison to be terminated from community control unsuccessfully.
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Twenty-nine-year-old Ian Dudley, of Bucyrus, admitted to violating his community control after he confessed to taking Vicodin, possessed and consumed beer, and frequented a bar. The prosecutor and the defense attorney could not agree on a proper punishment for Dudley, which is why Leuthold met them in the middle.
“He has done things that will lead to him using drugs in the future,” argued assistant prosecutor Ryan Hoovler, adding that Dudley was not able to follow the court rules.
Hoovler recommended a seven-month prison sentence, while defense attorney Brian Gernert asked for continued community control.
“Mr. Dudley hasn’t gone down the path to using illegal street drugs,” countered Gernert. He explained that his client was eager to start counseling.
“He looks very eager,” Leuthold said sarcastically.
“I think Mr. Dudley is terrified at this point, Your Honor,” Gernert quickly responded.
Dudley did not mince words on his feelings of being behind bars.
“Being in jail has definitely opened my eyes. It’s freaking me out. I’m better than that,” Dudley admitted. “I need counseling. I need treatment.”
“I’ll give you a shot,” Leuthold said. “You’re begging for counseling, I’ll give you counseling.”
Leuthold sentenced Dudley to the maximum penalty of 12 months in prison, though he instructed Gernert to file for a judicial release motion after 30 days. Once Dudley completes a portion of his prison sentence, Leuthold indicated he would put Dudley in the court’s Intensive Supervision and Treatment program.
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