BUCYRUS — A Mansfield man was placed on house arrest following his arraignment in Crawford County Common Pleas court on Wednesday.
Troy Miller, 57, was arraigned on charges of failure to comply, a third-degree felony, two charges of improper handling of a firearm, both fourth-degree felonies, possession of drugs, a fifth-degree felony and possession of drug paraphernalia, a misdemeanor.
According to charges, on December 10 at 12:30 a.m., Miller was driving on U.S. Route 30 going the wrong way. When eventually stopped, Miller appeared to be impaired. A search of the vehicle resulted in law enforcement finding two firearms with one being a loaded Ruger under the driver’s seat.
Sebastian Berger was appointed to represent Miller and assisted in the arraignment. Miller was visibly ill and told the court he suffers from COPD.
Miller is on oxygen and takes approximately 25 different medications. Berger pointed out to the court that it would be a burden on the jail and on Mr. Miller if he were held in jail pending trial.
Judge Sean Leuthold appeared to agree.
“I would normally set bond in a case like this at half a million dollars,” Leuthold said. “I see that Mr. Miller is not a well person, so I am going to make an exception.”
Leuthold allowed a personal recognizance bond but put Miller on complete house arrest.
“I have to balance his treatment and protect the public,” Leuthold said. “But Mr. Miller, you are not leaving your house, do you understand?”
Miller asked about being able to attend doctor’s appointments. Leuthold ordered Miller to give a list of his health appointments to his probation officer, Chris Heydinger.
“Everything goes through Mr. Heydinger. I want documentation and a daily report,” Leuthold said.
Berger asked the court if Miller could be given permission to attend meetings to discuss the case.
“Sorry, Mr. Berger, but you’re going to have to go to him,” Leuthold said. “And as for you Mr. Miller, if you mess this up you will sit in jail till this is resolved.”
In other court business, a Bucyrus man has been hiding in plain sight for the last eight years but turned himself in last Friday to police.
Richard Parker, 42, appeared in Crawford County Common Pleas Court to answer to violating the terms and conditions of his community control. Parker was placed on community control in 2010 on a breaking and entering plea.
A tearful Parker told the court he missed an appointment with his probation officer and was afraid to go back for fear he would be sent to prison.
“Do you realize what you have done?” said Leuthold.
In reviewing the sentencing guidelines, Leuthold told Parker he had been on the lamb for eight years when he only had about two and a half months of jail time hanging over his head.
“I did not sentence this case, but you were not given the maximum sentence on these charges,” Leuthold said.
Parker told the court that he wanted to get on with his life and get married.
“Is the fact that you were on the lamb the reason you weren’t getting married?” Leuthold asked.
Parker replied that it was the reason they had been engaged six years but not married.
“Well you don’t have that excuse anymore,” Leuthold said. “Stop crying. Look, the good news is that you have had no contact with law enforcement for eight years and that’s a good thing.”
Attorney Tani Eyer was appointed to represent Parker. Bond was set at $50,000.
David Rupe, 55, of Rushylvania pleaded guilty to deception to obtain a dangerous drug. Rupe entered the guilty plea to refilling and picking up a prescription assigned to his late wife.
Rupe told the court he made a mistake and just followed a regular routine of filling her medications. Rupe lived in Galion at the time of the incident.
Judge Leuthold decided to place Rupe on one year of community control. Leuthold waived any drug counseling.
“I and the state are choosing to look at this from your point of view,” Leuthold said. “I understand grieving is a process. That’s why we are giving you this deal. Move forward with your life. If you need help with the grief, ask your probation officer and I will order special help for you.”
Damon Chatman, 44, of Crestline was sentenced to 36 months in prison after he pleaded guilty to two counts of trafficking in drugs, each fourth-degree felonies. Chatman will receive credit for jail time served and pay a mandatory $2500 fine. He was ordered to forfeit all drug-related property to the Crestline Police Department.
“Look, Damon, you are a smart guy. You’ve got to find a better way to do things,” Leuthold said. “You don’t traffic drugs in Crawford County. That’s just the way it is. If you do, you go to prison.”
Kyle Myers, 19, of Bucyrus was sentenced to five years community control after he pleaded guilty to unlawful sexual conduct with a minor. Leuthold put a special condition on the sentence that Myers serve 90 days in jail.
Myers will also have to register as a Tier II Sex Offender, reporting for the next 25 years. Leuthold noted that while Myers is 19, his stature makes him seem a much younger boy. Myers was ordered to have no contact with the victim.
“You have to understand, Mr. Myers. You might look 14, but you are a grown man,” Leuthold said. “You cannot date young girls anymore. You’re a grown man now. You need to start acting like one.”