BUCYRUS — A Crawford County man nearly lost a plea recommendation when he displayed a bad attitude in court on Monday.
Wyatt Caldwell, 26, currently incarcerated at the Crawford County Justice Center, appeared in Crawford County Common Pleas Court on Monday to plead guilty to several charges.
Caldwell was charged with four counts of improper handling of firearms in a motor vehicle, each fourth-degree felonies and each punishable with up to 18 months in prison and four counts of receiving stolen property, also all fourth-degree felonies punishable with up to 18 months on each count.
Common Pleas Court Judge Sean Leuthold became aggravated with Caldwell’s behavior during the plea discussion.
“Sit up straight and look respectful. Giving me the bad eye is not the way to start this,” Leuthold said. “I’m the last guy you want to jerk around. I’m the guy that decides if I’ll accept this plea. Your attorney (Pat Murphy) has jumped backwards through hoops to get this deal for you and you are about to blow it.”
Caldwell sat up straight and apologized to the court. In a negotiated plea, the state dropped the four charges of receiving stolen property in exchange for a guilty plea on the four counts of improper handling of a firearm in a vehicle.
Leuthold sentenced Caldwell to 18 months in prison on counts one and two, 12 months on count three and 11 months on count four, for a total of 54 months.
After some time in prison, Caldwell will be considered for movement to a community-based correctional facility for treatment. Since charges of receiving stolen property were dropped, the guns were ordered returned to Caldwell’s parents.
Caldwell will receive 157 days of jail time credit.
“Take this seriously and after a time we will get you into a facility where you can receive treatment,” Leuthold said. “Let’s work on getting you back into society in a safe manner.”
In other court action, Corey Hunter, 28, of Tiro was placed on five years of community control after he pleaded guilty to one count of trafficking in drugs, a fifth-degree felony punishable with up to 12 months in prison.
Hunter was ordered to complete drug and alcohol assessment and follow up treatment. Caldwell will forfeit all drug related property to the Galion Police Department.
“If you were eligible for prison, I’d send you,” Leuthold said. “You get one free bite of the apple. Enjoy it because it won’t happen again.”
Bree Bruner, 27, address unknown, was sentenced to five years on community control after she pleaded guilty to violating the terms of a protection order. She was ordered to receive appropriate assessment and treatment. She is to have no contact with the victims.
“Another one of these offenses and I will send you to prison. I have to protect the victims in this case,” Leuthold said.
Johnarae Hoskins, 40, of Bucyrus pleaded guilty to one count of permitting drug abuse and one count of possession of drugs, both fifth-degree felonies, each punishable with up to 12 months in prison.
In a plea agreement, Hoskins will serve six months in prison for each count. The terms will run concurrently. Hoskins will forfeit all drug related property to the Bucyrus Police Department and will receive 41 days of jail time credit. Leuthold said he would not oppose transitional control if the prison requested it.