By Krystal Smalley
ksmalley@wbcowqel.com
Three people pleaded guilty in Crawford County Common Pleas Court on Tuesday, but only one will be going to prison.
Forty-two-year-old Bradley Jordan of Bucyrus pleaded guilty to theft, a fifth-degree felony, and received an eight-month prison sentence. He was also fined $1,000.
Eighteen-year-old Christian Jackson of Galion pleaded guilty to receiving stolen property and safe cracking, both fourth-degree felonies. Jackson, who was not prison eligible, is expected to be sentenced to five years on community control and fined $5,000. Restitution will be determined at a later date. Common Pleas Court Judge Sean Leuthold ordered a pre-sentenced investigation and continued Jackson’s bond.
If he fails on community control, Jackson could face a total of 36 months in prison.
Nineteen-year-old Chase Bowman of Bucyrus pleaded guilty to drug possession, a fifth-degree felony, and is also expected to be sentenced to five years on community control. As part of the recommended sentence, Bowman will also have his driver’s license suspended for six months, must forfeit drug-related property seized to the Bucyrus Police Department, and must pay a $1,250 fine.
Leuthold released Bowman on a personal recognizance bond and ordered a pre-sentence investigation.
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A motion to reduce bond failed when Leuthold noted 36-year-old Fredrick Miller’s recent felony record.
Miller’s attorney, Grant Garverick, asked the court to reduce Miller’s $250,000 bond, which had been set when Miller was arraigned for second-degree felony burglary and fourth-degree felony safecracking. Garverick argued that Miller had significant ties to the community and was the sole provider for his family. He added that Miller’s current stay in the county jail was a hardship on his family, who was in the position of possibly being evicted.
“The temptation to flee is just too great,” Leuthold said when he noted the maximum nine and one-half years the charges carry.
Miller had been convicted of a misdemeanor theft in Marion County in 2015, domestic violence in Galion in 2014, domestic violence in 2013, assault in 2009, and pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of aggravated burglary in Marion County in 2009.
“All these things made it difficult for me to reduce bond based on these facts,” Leuthold said before commending Garverick on his work. “You put the best possible spin on this but I’ve got significant criminal behavior over the last couple of years.”
Leuthold believed it would be counterintuitive to reduce the bond and denied the motion.
The prosecution has put an offer on the table for Miller, which will expire at his change of plea hearing on Thursday if he does not take it.
Leuthold granted judicial released to 28-year-old Ashley Clemons after she served nearly four months in prison for felonious assault. The judge indicated that he would consider early release for Clemons at her change of plea hearing in September due to the fact that the fight started due to online threats made on Facebook.
“There’s no sense going to prison over this drama stuff,” Leuthold said. “I’m happy to let you out because I think you deserve a chance, but I’ll put you right back in if you cross me.”
Leuthold placed Clemons, who is from Dayton, on community control for five years and warned her to have no contact with the victim.
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