BUCYRUS—Fred Hatfield, 74, of Galion, appeared in Crawford County Common Pleas Court on Wednesday for a pretrial and to ask for a new attorney. Hatfield is represented by court-appointed attorney Jerry Thompson of Mansfield.
Hatfield, currently in the custody of the Crawford County Jail, is charged with seven counts of rape, with the victim being under the age of 13.
If convicted, Hatfield could serve life in prison without the possibility of parole on each count due to the age of the victim.
Hatfield told Crawford County Common Pleas Court Judge Sean Leuthold he wants attorney Thomas Nicholson to represent him.
“ These are the most serious kinds of crimes we have. It is not usually my policy to grant a new attorney, but in cases like this, the defendant needs to be comfortable with his attorney. But look, Mr. Hatfield, I’m not allowing this again.” Leuthold said.
Assistant Prosecutor Ryan Hoovler advised the court that the new attorney should be ready for trial and that no further plea deals will be offered to Hatfield.
Ceejay Harvey, 35, of Bucyrus, pleaded guilty to violating the terms and conditions of his community control. With the agreement, his attorney would be able to argue his sentence.
In November, Harvey pleaded guilty to one count of domestic violence, a felony of the third degree punishable with up to 36 months in prison.
According to probation officer Chris Heydinger, Harvey appeared for his initial visit and then absconded from control. Heydinger noted that Harvey had not completed court-ordered assessment and follow-up treatment for anger management and domestic violence. After arrest, Harvey tested positive for amphetamines, meth, cocaine, fentanyl, and two other drugs.
Assistant Prosecutor Ryan Hoovler told the court that because Harvey had not availed himself of the opportunity at community control and tested positive for drugs, the state wanted him sent to prison for 30 months.
Court-appointed attorney Brian Gernert admitted that his client had failed on community control but that sanctions were more appropriate than prison. Gernert asked the court for sanctions or even treatment through a community-based correctional facility.
Judge Leüthold addressed the court:” Based on his behavior, he is not amenable to community control. He has accomplished nothing on community control because he never reported and tested positive for six different drugs.” Leuthold said.
Noting the trauma endured by his victim, Judge Leuthold sentenced Harvey to 24 months in prison.
Deborise Jones, 28, of Mansfield, pleaded guilty to theft, a felony of the third degree punishable with up to 36 months in prison.
In a negotiated plea agreement, Judge Leuthold sentenced Jones to 36 months in prison with a possible judicial release after he serves nine months of that sentence.
Jones will receive 48 days of jail time credit.