By Kathy Laird
CCN Correspondent
BUCYRUS — James Netters, 36, of Bucyrus was sentenced to 36 months in prison when he appeared in Crawford County Common Pleas Court on Tuesday.
Netters was charged with illegal possession of a firearm in an establishment that served liquor, a third-degree felony. He was also charged with carrying a concealed weapon, a fourth-degree felony punishable by up to 18 months in prison.
Netters had been free on bond while a pre-sentence investigation was conducted. Judge Sean Leuthold said that the investigation did not reveal any information that would sway his decision to go with the recommend sentence.
Netters’ attorney, Carlos Crawford, thanked the court for conducting the pre-sentence investigation. He noted that it gave his client time to get his affairs in order and to win full custody of his daughter.
Though Netters was sentenced to 36 months in prison for the third-degree felony and 18 months on the fourth-degree felony, Leuthold allowed the sentences to run concurrently, for a 36-month total.
Leuthold said he would not oppose judicial release but gave Netters a stern warning; “No more of this nonsense. Behave yourself and if you comply you may be eligible for early release from prison and probation.” Netters was taken into custody and will forfeit the handgun to the Bucyrus Police Department.
In another case, 20-year-old Brent Stidham of Bucyrus got a real life awakening when he was sentenced in Common Pleas Court on Tuesday. Stidham pled guilty to possession of drugs, a fourth-degree felony and of drug paraphernalia, a misdemeanor. Stidham was placed on five years of community control.
Judge Leuthold addressed the defendant, “I’ve got a feeling in my bones that you don’t understand what’s going on here. You are now on felony probation. There’s no messing around in my court. This is not Juvenile Court, this is adult court. There will be no booze, drugs or bars. You will not associate with any other felons. This is your chance to turn your life around. I’d begin by getting your GED.
“You’re a grown man,” Leuthold continued. “Did you like jail? Let me tell you, you will not do well in prison. If you violate the terms and conditions of your community control, I will send you to prison. If you come in front of me, there’s not going to be a bunch of sympathy and such. I’m going to do what is right and send you to prison. Do you understand?”
Stidham indicated that he understood the judge. “We will see Mr. Stidham, I hope you understand me. Good luck to you.” Leuthold said.