BUCYRUS — Travis Ratliff of Crestline appeared in Crawford County Common Pleas Court on Monday to change his plea. He was represented by his attorney, Grant Garverick.
Ratliff, 37, pleaded guilty to one count of trafficking in drugs, a third-degree felony punishable with up to 36 months in prison, one count of trafficking in drugs, a fourth-degree felony punishable with up to 18 months in prison and two counts of possession of drugs, both fifth-degree felony punishable with up to 12 months in prison on each count.
Judge Sean Leuthold sentenced Ratliff to a total of 50 months in prison. He will forfeit two firearms and $1,195 in currency to the Crawford County Sheriff’s Department. He will receive credit for jail time served.
In other news, Juanita Diles, 51, of Crestline pleaded guilty to possession of drugs, a fifth-degree felony punishable by up to 12 months in prison. She will forfeit all drug-related property to the Crestline Police Department.
Before sentencing, Diles asked Leuthold if she could have her phone back.
“I’m on a limited income, social security and I was at the wrong place at the wrong time. I gave in to peer pressure,” Diles said.
Assistant Prosecutor Ryan Hoovler protested the release of the phone.
“The phone is drug-related property, used to make arrangements to obtain drugs,” Hoovler said. “We object to the release of the phone.”
Leuthold sentenced Diles to a flat 12 months in prison. He said he would not oppose transitional control. He told Diles’ lawyer, Tani Eyer, to file a motion regarding the release of the phone and he would review it and make a decision later.
Robin Hall, 30 of Lancaster entered a guilty plea to violating the terms and conditions of her community control when she admitted to putting child in danger with her conduct, failed to report her change of address, failed to report interaction with law enforcement to her probation department and tested positive for both heroin and opiates.
Leuthold sentenced Hall to 19 months in prison for the violations, saying he would not oppose transitional control. Hall will receive credit for jail time.
“We did everything we could do to help you. It didn’t seem to work so now you’re going to prison,” Leuthold said.
Matthew Sharp, 32, of Bucyrus came across a familiar face when he appeared in Common Pleas Court. Sharp pleaded guilty to two counts of possession of drugs, both fifth-degree felonies punishable by up to 12 months in prison on each count.
“We’ve been doing this dance since I was a judge downstairs in Municipal Court,” Leuthold said. “When have I ever not put you in jail? Why do you keep coming back?”
Leuthold sentenced Sharp to a flat 12 months in prison. He will receive 86 days of jail time credit.
“I hate to do this to you. You were young and I had hoped you’d turn your life around,” Leuthold said. “Some guys do turn their lives around. There is no better feeling in doing this job than when you run into someone who tells you they turned their life around after they were sent to jail. I really hope that someday we will have that moment.”