BUCYRUS — A Bucyrus man appeared in Crawford County Common Pleas Court on Thursday to plead guilty to violating the terms and conditions of his community control.
In September, Tyler Painter, 31, of Bucyrus pleaded guilty to three counts of possession of drugs, each a fifth-degree felony and each punishable with up to 12 months in prison.
According to allegations submitted by probation officer Eric Bohach, Painter overdosed on December 7 and required emergency medical attention. On December 8, he tested positive for drugs including benzodiazepines, meth, methamphetamines and cocaine. He was also in possession of Adderall without a prescription.
In a plea negotiation, Crawford County Common Pleas Court Judge sentenced Painter to a community-based correctional facility for treatment. Upon treatment completion, Painter will be placed on five years of community control. If he violates community control, he will serve 12 months in prison on each count for a total of 36 months in prison.
“If you get booted out of this program for any reason, whether it’s your fault or theirs, you are going to prison,” Leuthold said. “I hope you have the right attitude. I have my doubts, but I hope you prove me wrong.”
In other court action, Zachary Logan, 26, of Mt. Gilead appeared in court to answer to charges he violated the terms and conditions of his community control. In November, Logan pleaded guilty to complicity, a fifth-degree felony punishable with up to 12 months in prison.
According to probation officer Chris Heydinger, Logan failed to report for an office visit on January 7 and on January 8 took a routine drug test and tested positive for meth and methamphetamines.
Leuthold found probable cause to hold Logan for a full hearing on the charges, set bond at $75,000 and appointed attorney Brian Gernert to represent Logan.
Tracy Tuttle, 47, of Galion appeared in Common Pleas Court on a motion to grant judicial release. Tuttle was sentenced to prison in March 2019 for her participation in an arson scheme in Galion. Tuttle’s boyfriend was recruited through her father to commit the arson. He is currently serving 10 years in prison.
“There was no great criminal mastermind in this scheme. Ms. Tuttle is one of four defendants and was sentenced to the second longest amount of time,” Leuthold said. “Her boyfriend, who had been previously convicted of murder, is doing a significantly longer sentence.”
When asked if she had anything to say, Tuttle told the court she had learned a lot in prison and that her co-defendant was no longer her boyfriend.
“Did you know this guy had a murder conviction when you were dating him?” Leuthold asked.
“Honestly Your Honor, I did. But he treated me better than my ex-husband or ex-fiancé, who beat me,” Tuttle said.
“I don’t know what that says about your choices in men. But here’s some basic advice: don’t date murderers,” Leuthold said. “And don’t commit arson with murderers you date. Make better choices.”
“I’ve learned a lot,” Tuttle said.
“I hope you have but if you haven’t, I’ll send you right back to prison,” Leuthold said.
Tuttle was granted judicial release and must comply with all rules and conditions of her community control including no contact with felons.