BUCYRUS — Michael Keeton of Portsmouth failed to appear in Crawford County Common Pleas Court for a scheduled hearing Thursday.
Keeton, 41, found himself before Common Pleas Court Judge Sean Leuthold on Monday, June 3, for allegedly violating the terms and conditions of his community control. Keeton was placed on five years community control in 2016 for one count of possession of drugs, a fifth-degree felony punishable with up to 12 months in prison.
Probation officer Eric Bohach said he received a call from authorities in Scioto County, advising that Keeton had been arrested for possession of 39 grams of meth. He also tested positive for meth amphetamines. He posted a $15,000 bond and was released. Keeton was also arrested in Ironton for domestic violence and posted a $10,000 bond.
Leuthold scheduled a full hearing scheduled for Thursday. While Keeton was being held at the courthouse, he allegedly had a seizure and hit his head on the toilet. Leuthold ordered Keeton to be examined at the emergency room and then returned to custody following treatment.
Keeton was admitted to the ICU for observation but as soon as deputies left the hospital he absconded and has not been seen since.
Keeton’s attorney, Grant Garverick, appeared in court on Thursday hopeful that his client would show up for proceedings.
“If he shows up, it’s likely I’ll be the one going to the hospital because I’ll have a heart attack,” Leuthold said.
When the 2:30 appearance time came and Keeton was not in court, Leuthold ordered a statewide warrant for his arrest.
“I’m not surprised he didn’t show but I was not willing to risk his life to keep him in jail,” Leuthold said.
Assistant prosecutor Ryan Hoovler told the court that he would be presenting a new charge of escape by Keeton to the grand jury. Leuthold ordered him held without bail when apprehended.