BUCYRUS — Joshua Noel of Bucyrus had his personal recognizance bond revoked and he was returned to the custody of the Crawford County Sheriff’s Department.
Noel, 35, is accused of assaulting an officer, a fourth-degree felony punishable with up to 18 months in prison. Crawford County Common Pleas Court Judge Sean Leuthold granted Noel a personal recognizance bond because of medical conditions. When Noel failed to appear for his pretrial, a bench warrant was issued for his arrest.
Noel claimed he was in the hospital at the time of his hearing. He said OSU hospital in Columbus called the clerk’s office on his behalf three times. He also said he left messages for his attorney, Brian Gernert. However, there was no record of any contact made to the court on his behalf.
His attorney told the court he did not believe there were messages from Noel but to be sure he’d have to review the phone system in his office. More than two months passed from the time he was granted bond to his re-arrest. Noel was taken into custody at the Wyandot County hospital.
When Noel was picked up, he admitted to using meth amphetamines. Leuthold asked assistant prosecutor Ryan Hoovler his thoughts on bond for Noel. Hoovler told the court that due to the drug use and the unsuccessful personal recognizance bond, the state would ask for a $250,000 bond. Leuthold agreed and set the bond.
Leuthold also noted that the state had offered Noel a plea deal but that he turned it down. He asked Noel if he still wanted to turn the deal down.
“I’ve been given six months to live and I’m on dialysis. I’m not taking that deal,” Noel said.
“Mr. Noel, it is your constitutional right to a trial, and I will protect those rights,” Leuthold said. “With your current medical situation and your refusal of the state’s plea, I am going to move your trial date up to May 9, 2019.”
Leuthold also warned Noel to behave himself at the jail.
“Don’t go pulling any stunts like yanking out your catheter. Don’t have any altercations with other inmates either.”
In other action, Stephanie Arbogast of Lexington was sentenced to 36 months in prison after pleading guilty to violating the terms and conditions of her community control.
Arbogast, 27, was placed on community control after pleading guilty to two counts of forgery both fifth-degree felonies punishable by up to 12 months in prison on each count, one count of theft, a fifth-degree felony punishable with up to 12 months in prison, and two counts of theft, both first-degree misdemeanors.
On March 7, Arbogast tested positive for heroin and fentanyl. Leuthold sentenced Arbogast to the maximum sentence of 36 months in prison. However, he said he would allow her to be placed in a community based correctional facility after she serves some prison time.
“This will be your last shot. You’d better get it right,” Leuthold said.
Jesse Baird, 28, of Bucyrus was sentenced to 12 months in prison after he pleaded guilty to tampering with evidence, a third-degree felony punishable with up to 36 months in prison and one count of possession of drugs, a fifth-degree felony punishable with up to 12 months in prison.
Through plea negotiations, Baird was sentenced to 12 months on each count with sentences to run concurrently for a total of 12 months in prison. Leuthold said he would not oppose transitional control. Baird will receive 47 days of jail time credit.