By Gary Ogle and Krystal Smalley
gogle@wbcowqel.com
ksmalley@wbcowqel.com
As arraignments go, Monday’s proceedings in Crawford County Common Pleas Court were relatively few with seven people arraigned on felony charges. Those charges were, however, serious.
Nicholas Buell was arraigned on a Grand Jury indictment charging him with 16 total counts of sex-related offenses. Buell is charged with one count of felony 4 importuning, 11 counts of felony 4 pandering obscenities involving a minor and four counts of felony 5 disseminating matter harmful to juveniles.
Each felony 4 charge carries a maximum prison sentence of 18 months and each felony 5 charge has a maximum prison sentence of 12 months – if convicted. The evidence collected by the Crawford County Prosecutor’s Office does include images of young children engaged in sexual activity with adults.
Although Buell has no previous felony convictions and state sentencing guidelines preclude prison sentences for first-time felony offenders, County Prosecutor Matthew Crall indicated the sexual nature of the offenses would allow his office to seek an exception to that rule.
Adam Stone is Buell’s attorney. Judge Sean Leuthold set bond at $500,000.
The judge set one other six-figure bond, $100,000, for Shawna Kirgis. Kirgis is charged with felony 2 assault, misdemeanor 1 possession of a weapon while intoxicated, and misdemeanor 1 domestic violence.
The entire list of arraignments from Monday are Steven McMillian, F# tampering with evidence, M1 domestic violence, M4 illegal cultivation, ($15,000); Nicholas Buell, F4 importuning, four counts of F5 disseminating matter harmful to juveniles, and 11 counts of F5 pandering obscenities involving minors ($500,000); Richard Castle F5 harassment, M4 criminal trespass, and M4 disorderly conduct ($25,000); Shawn Cary, F5 possession of drugs, M4 drug paraphernalia, and M2 drug abuse ($50,000); Joshua Protzman, F5 possession of drugs ($50,000); Shawna Kirgis, F2 felony assault, M1 weapon while intoxicated, and M1 domestic violence ($100,000); Paul Holmes, F4 domestic violence and M1 endangering children ($15,000).
In other court news from Monday, Joshua Prosser pleaded guilty to drug possession, a fifth-degree felony. The 29-year-old Crestline man was sentenced to 12 months in prison and fined $2,500. Additional charges of aggravated burglary, robbery, and multiple counts of theft of drugs were dismissed as part of the plea agreement.
Acknowledging the fact that the more serious charges were being dismissed, assistant prosecutor Ryan Hoovler indicated this guilty plea was the best course of action.
“I just didn’t feel comfortable to rely on the victim in this case,” said Hoovler, who had been preparing for the Prosser’s jury trial on Thursday.
“This appears to be a bunch of drug customers and drug dealers,” Judge Sean Leuthold said about the case. “Somebody took a bunch of money and took off.”
Prosser’s co-defendant Kevin Foust’s case is set for May 11. He was charged with similar felonies.
The two men allegedly committed a home invasion for money on Nov. 16, 2016 at a Patterson Street home in Crestline. Prosser was later picked up by U.S. Marshals.
RELATED CONTENT: New charges increase bonds for two suspects in burglary case | Eight arraigned in court Monday
An initial hearing was held alleging that Michael Rose had violated his probation. Rose was convicted in 2014 of felony 3 robbery and sentenced to 36 months in prison. Rose was granted judicial release after serving 10 months of that sentence.
Probation Officer Mark Alspach told the court the allegations against Rose include driving a vehicle while under the influence and consuming alcohol.
The judge appointed Thomas Nicholson to represent Rose and set his bond at $100,000.
RELATED CONTENT: Moto Mart robbery co-defendant gets 36-month prison sentence