BUCYRUS — The third time was not a charm when a Tiro man appeared before Judge Sean Leuthold in Crawford County Common Pleas Court on Monday.
William Strohm, 33, of Tiro faced the judge after he was given two opportunities to complete community control. Strohm was originally convicted in 2016 for conveying drugs into a detention center. He was sentenced to 30 months in prison and given judicial release after serving 10 months.
According to Probation Officer Mark Stalter, on October 23, Strohm tested positive for heroin and marijuana. On November 7, he admitted to violating the terms and conditions of his community control.
In a rare move, Judge Leuthold allowed Strohm to have a personal recognizance bond and delayed his sentencing for 30 days. However, during routine testing Strohm again tested positive for marijuana.
Before imposing sentence, Leuthold asked the state for arguments for sentencing. Assistant Prosecutor Ryan Hoovler told the court that the state believed Strohm had every opportunity to follow through on community control even after given a second opportunity to comply.
“There is no reason not to impose the remainder of his prison sentence,” Hoovler said.
When asked if he had anything to say, Strohm’s attorney, Geoff Stoll told the court his client would like to speak and deferred to Strohm.
Strohm told the court that he had completed his assessment, was on the Vivitrol shot and was waiting to start an intense drug treatment program. He asked the court for one more chance.
“I’m asking for a little bit of leniency,” Strohm said.
“I gave you a PR bond when everyone in this court room thought I was sending you to prison,” Leuthold replied. “I didn’t want to send you to prison. In fact, I’ve been more lenient with you than I usually am. You knew you were on razor’s edge with prison. You knew you were going to be tested but you still smoked a joint.”
Leuthold imposed the remaining 20 months in prison. He told Strohm he would recommend transitional control when it becomes available.
“There are only so many times I can be lenient,” Leuthold said.
In other court news, Joshua M. Rankins, 24, of Bucyrus will spend the next 15 months in prison after pleading guilty to violating the terms and conditions of his community control.
Rankins violated the terms and conditions of his community control when he refused to take a drug test in October and he was in possession of a syringe.
Rankins was also charged with drug possession in a new case and pleaded guilty to that, a fifth-degree felony. Rankins received seven months in prison on the new charge and eight months in prison on the prior charge of possession of drugs.
“You came in here with a good attitude, so I shaved a month off your most recent charge,” Leuthold said. “And I will not oppose transitional control when it becomes available.”
A bench warrant was issued for Baileigh Lauthers, 20, of Bucyrus after she failed to appear for a hearing on a motion to revoke her from the prosecutor’s diversion program. Lauthers was originally convicted of breaking and entering in 2017.
According to Hoovler, Lauthers failed to attend her court-ordered appointments, failed to report a change in her residence and failed to pay any costs associated with the program.
Leuthold ordered a bench warrant for her arrest. He told authorities to bring her into custody immediately and set her bond at $50,000.