BUCYRUS — Shane Sanders, 48, of Chillicothe was arraigned Wednesday in Crawford County Common Pleas Court, appearing with his attorney, Deborah Barrington.
Sanders was indicted on one count of disseminating material harmful to a juvenile, a fifth-degree felony punishable with up to 12 months in prison.
When arguing bond for Sanders, Barrington told the court that he was not a flight risk. Even though he lives outside of Crawford County, Barrington told the court that Sanders had been a solid citizen of Chillicothe and owned several properties and businesses in the community.
“My client realizes that this was a joke, a prank and done in very poor taste,” Barrington said.
Assistant Prosecutor Ryan Hoovler said the nature of the allegation involved the sending of obscene photos to a juvenile. He asked the court for a $50,000 bond.
Common Pleas Court Judge Sean Leuthold said he had studied the allegations and the people they targeted.
“I am going to set bond in this matter at $20,000 cash or surety. Mr. Sanders if you make the bond you are on bond in Crawford County, Leuthold said. “I do not put up with any nonsense in this county. You are not to have any direct or indirect contact with the victim, her mother or the mother’s new boyfriend. If I find out that you even so much as mentioned them on social media, you will sit in jail till this matter is resolved.”
Leuthold warned Sanders that his behavior on bond will affect his sentence if he is found guilty of the allegations in the future.
In other court news, Trevor O’Leary, 21, of Mansfield will spend the next six months in prison. O’Leary pleaded guilty to one count of possession of drugs, a fifth-degree felony punishable by up to 12 months in prison.
O’Leary will receive 50 days of jail time credit toward his sentence and he was ordered to forfeit all drug related property to the Galion Police Department.
Jason Wade, 47, of Galion was sentenced to a flat nine months in prison when he pleaded guilty to one count of possession of drugs, a fifth-degree punishable with up to 12 months in prison, possession of drugs, a misdemeanor, and drug paraphernalia, a misdemeanor.
Leuthold told Wade he would not oppose transitional control should the prison ask for it. Transitional control would place Wade in a halfway house in the future. He was also ordered to forfeit all drug related property to the Galion Police Department.
Chase Neubacher, 23, of Bucyrus will spend the next 12 months in prison. Neubacher pleaded guilty to one count of possession of drugs, a fifth-degree felony punishable by up to 12 months in prison and one count of drug abuse instrument possession, a misdemeanor.
Leuthold told Neubacher he was receiving the maximum sentence with a possibility of judicial release in the future. Neubacher tried to negotiate his sentence with the judge.
“You overdosed, not once but twice. You are lucky to be alive,” Leuthold said. “You do not tell me what to do, I tell you what to do. When you deal with me, it is non-negotiable. When you get out of prison, I’ll decide what you will do, and you will do what I say. If I were a life insurance sales man, I would not sell you a policy.”
Neubacher will get credit for the 45 days he has already spent in jail.
Brian Hefner, 28, of Crestline pleaded guilty to one count of possession of drugs, a fifth-degree felony punishable with up to one year in prison and tampering with evidence, a third-degree felony, punishable by up to 36 months in prison.
Leuthold said he was stunned to learn that Hefner was only 28 years old.
“Man, you look like you’re in your fifties. This is what meth does to you,” Leuthold said.
After reviewing the details of the case, Leuthold noted that when Hefner was arrested, he had marijuana on his person that he hid from officers. He did not admit to having the marijuana or where it was located on his body until he was at the jail.
“You clearly need help, Mr. Hefner, and I’m going to give you that help, but I’ll tell you the same thing I said to someone earlier: I sure wouldn’t sell you a life insurance policy the way you’re headed,” Leuthold said.
Leuthold placed Hefner on community control and ordered him tested daily for drugs.
“You’ve heard of rock bottom? Well you are officially at rock bottom,” Leuthold said. “This is serious business. You’re going to get counseling, daily testing and you are going to meet with me personally once a week. I understand that you recently lost a loved one. Grief is a powerful emotion that can drive you to bad habits. We are going to help you get your life on track.”