By Krystal Smalley
ksmalley@wbcowqel.com
Crawford County Municipal Court Judge Sean Leuthold set bond at $2 million for Chadwick Monroe Wednesday afternoon.
The Crawford County Sheriff’s Office had issued a warrant for Monroe, 39, Tuesday after investigating a 911 call of a rape in Jefferson Township earlier that morning. The Sheriff’s Office noted that he may have sustained injuries to his chin and neck during the sexual assault. Monroe had been found and captured Tuesday evening at a Nauman Street address in Bucyrus. The Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation’s Crime Scene Unit is also assisting in the investigation.
Leuthold noted Wednesday as he held a video conference with Monroe, Bucyrus City Assistant Prosecuting Attorney David Keller and Victim’s Advocate Jim Scott that, having previously dealt with Monroe before, knew of Monroe’s indigent status. Leuthold appointed local attorney Adam Stone to serve as Monroe’s counsel. Stone was also in attendance during the hearing.
“This is a very serious case,” Keller stated after recommending a $1.5 million bond be set. He noted that eight warrants had previously been issued for Monroe and that the man has had three prior domestic violence convictions. Monroe was also convicted of fleeing, eluding, resisting arrest, and OVI in 2013.
“We feel he presents a great risk to the community,” Keller said, adding there was a strong likelihood that Monroe may not appear for his court hearings. He also believed there is compelling evidence that will later come into play.
“The allegation is that Mr. Monroe forcibly raped the victim in this case,” Leuthold stated. He believed Monroe was an extreme danger to the public and warned that he would set an extremely high bond in this band.
“I believe this case warrants it,” Leuthold said after setting Monroe’s bond at $2 million. He ordered Monroe to have no contact with the victim.
Monroe could face a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and a $20,000 fine. If convicted, he would also be classified as a sex offender.