BUCYRUS—Devin Duffield, 24, of Bucyrus, appeared in Crawford County Common Pleas Court on Monday for a hearing but was taken into custody after he tested positive for drugs.
Duffield was about to accept a plea negotiation on a drug possession charge that would’ve most likely given him a sentence of probation and treatment.
Persons on a bond are routinely tested for drugs when they appear for hearings. As a result of a routine drug screen, Duffield tested positive for meth and methamphetamines.
Assistant Prosecutor Ryan Hoovler informed the court that the state would no longer offer a plea in the case and asked for Duffield’s bond to be revoked.
Crawford County Common Pleas Court Judge Sean Leuthold said he was concerned with Duffield’s health and appearance noting he did not look well.
“I am very concerned. Mr. Duffield is a young man with his whole life ahead of him. Based on his mannerisms and appearance, it is not a good idea to continue his personal recognizance bond.” Leuthold said.
Leuthold ordered Duffield taken into custody. Bond was set at $25,000.00, and the case continued.
In other court news, Eunice Hoffman, 53, of Bucyrus, pleaded guilty to one count of possession of drugs, a felony of the fifth degree punishable with up to 12 months in prison.
In an agreed plea negotiation, Judge Leuthold sentenced Hoffman to one year of community control. She must complete a drug and alcohol assessment and any follow-up treatment. She will forfeit all drug-related property to the Bucyrus Police Department.
Jamie Lester, 48, of Bucyrus, appeared on allegations that he violated the terms and conditions of his community control.
Lester pleaded guilty in November of 2015 to burglary charged as a second-degree felony but pled down to a third-degree felony. He was sentenced to three years in prison. He received judicial release in June of 2017 and was placed on probation. He violated probation, and in March of 2017, he was sentenced to and completed a drug treatment program at the Volunteers of America in Mansfield.
According to probation officer Chris Heydinger, Lester has failed to report for office visits since late April. When arrested on July 21, he tested positive for MDMA, ecstasy, and methamphetamines. According to Heydinger, Lester admitted the drug use.
Judge Leuthold entered a not guilty plea on behalf of Lester and appointed attorney Brian Gernert to represent him.
Due to the seriousness of the underlying crime and current circumstances, Leuthold set bond at $75,000.00.