By Kathy Laird
A Bucyrus man is heading to prison for three years after pleading guilty to a third-degree felony for failure to comply in Crawford County Common Pleas Court on Wednesday. Judge Sean Leuthold sentenced Ross Borden, 26, of Bucyrus to 36 months in prison Wednesday on the charge.
A second charge of unauthorized use of a motor vehicle was dismissed as part of Borden’s plea agreement with the state. Police attempted to stop Borden on a traffic violation when he made the decision not to comply with law enforcement. A high-speed chase ensued with speeds reaching between 110-115 miles per hour. When Borden finally stopped, he attempted to flee the scene on foot, but was apprehended.
It was later discovered that Borden did not have a driver’s license.
“You turned a potential couple of misdemeanors into a felony of the third degree,” Leuthold said. “It was idiotic. You put everyone in your path in danger. Your life is a mess and it’s time to turn things around.”
Leuthold warned Borden that he would be watching Borden’s case and that he would make sure programs and mental health services were made available to Borden.
“It’s pretty simple, Mr. Borden, you either turn yourself around or you go off the cliff. The decision is yours,” Leuthold warned.
Borden will be given credit for jail time served and his case will be reviewed for early release from prison at a future date.
“We’ll get a plan together to help you get your life on track,” Leuthold said.
Jason Brown, 32, of Bucyrus, will spend at least 24 months of a 36-month sentence in prison.
Brown pleaded guilty to three charges, including possession of drugs, obstruction of justice and theft in a plea agreement with prosecutors.
As part of Brown’s plea agreement, Assistant Prosecutor Ryan Hoovler agreed not to pursue an additional indictment on a charge of theft.
Brown will be eligible for early release from prison after serving 24 months of the 36-month sentence.
Thomas Gompf, 51, of Sycamore was on the receiving end of Leuthold’s mercy during sentencing on an amended charge of failure to comply.
A felony charge was reduced to a misdemeanor when the court learned of the specifics of the traffic stop and Gompf’s health issues.
Represented by attorney Adam Stone, it was revealed to the court that Gompf suffers from severe diabetes and can become unresponsive when insulin spikes or declines. Medical evidence supported his ongoing battle with diabetes dating back to 1999.
Taking the circumstances into consideration, Leuthold commended both Hoovler and Stone for handling the situation in a mature way.
“Some might ask why is he not headed to prison like the last guy? This was a case of a law abiding, productive citizen making a bad decision and driving a car. He should’ve never been behind the wheel,” Leuthold said.
Gompf was given 180 days in jail, with all suspended, but also, Gompf will receive a lifetime driver’s license suspension.
Joann Baldwin, 62, of Caledonia was placed in the prosecutor’s intervention in lieu of conviction program after pleading guilty to a theft charge.
Although Leuthold took her guilty plea, it will not be recorded unless she fails to complete the program.
Baldwin pleaded guilty to theft from her employer.
While working as a home health nurse, Baldwin submitted billable hours to her employer that she did not perform. The total cost of her restitution is $8,427.
The intervention program fee is $600 and Baldwin was ordered to pay that fee as well.
“Once restitution is paid and if there are no further problems, this felony will be erased from your record,” Leuthold said.
Joshua Blankenship, 39, of Bucyrus formally refused a plea deal offered by Hoovler. Blankenship is charged with three counts of trafficking in drugs, illegal conveyance of drugs, possession of drugs and tampering with evidence.
If convicted, Blankenship faces up to 138 months in prison. In the plea deal he was offered, Blankenship would serve 66 months in prison. Leuthold advised Blankenship that the state would withdraw the plea offer immediately upon his rejection of it.
“You have every right to go to trial, Mr. Blankenship, and I will make sure you receive a fair trial in this courtroom,” Leuthold said.
Blankenship was returned to the Crawford County Justice Center pending trial.
Devin Lutz, 24, of Bucyrus was arraigned on one count of unlawful sexual conduct with a minor.
Lutz appeared alone in court, but notified Leuthold that his family had hired an attorney for him.
Noting that no attorney was present, Leuthold decided to appoint Bucyrus attorney
Geoffrey Stoll to represent him.
Hoovler told the court that there was an additional felony charge for theft of a firearm pending and asked for a $150,000 bond for Lutz.
In hopes of making his own case for bond, Lutz asked permission to speak on his own behalf.
“I’m going to hear what you have to say in a very limited capacity because you do not have a lawyer present,” Leuthold said.
Lutz did not get far.
”I am a college student, I maintain a job, I have no record, and what I did was not predatory in nature,” Lutz said.
Leuthold ceased the statement.
“Stop right there,” Leuthold said. “I’m going to set bond at $150,000.00 and when you have an attorney of record, we will revisit the issue of bond.”