By Kathy Laird
Shawnda Sexton, 29, of Bucyrus was sentenced to 48 months in prison Wednesday in Crawford County Common Pleas Court. Sexton was facing four counts of drug trafficking, and two misdemeanor counts of possession of drugs and drug paraphernalia.
As part of the plea agreement, the prosecution dropped both misdemeanor counts against Sexton.
When addressing Sexton before imposing the sentence, Judge Sean Leuthold asked her if she was from Bucyrus. Sexton said she’s lived here her entire life.
“You must have read the news, this kind of behavior is not tolerated in Crawford County,” Leuthold said.
When asked how she got into selling drugs, Sexton told the Leuthold that she sold to supply her habit.
“I realize we deal with two types of traffickers; there are those who make this their profession and then those like you who do it to support their habit,” Leuthold said. But let me ask you this; when some family has to bury a loved one because they overdosed on drugs they purchased, do you think they care why the dealer sold the drug? The answer is no, because the outcome is the same.”
Leuthold said that even though addiction is a cause for crime, it is not an excuse for crime. He warned Sexton of the dangers of drugs being laced with fentanyl and that people are dying because of it.
“You’re getting a second chance,” Leuthold said. “You’re young. You can turn your life around. “
Sexton will receive credit for time served in jail. She will forfeit her 2000 Toyota Camry to the Bucyrus Police Department as well as any other property seized at her arrest.
In another case, Mikel Knetter, 21, of Crestline officially turned down a plea offer from the state on a burglary charge, a second-degree felony.
The court noted that Knetter had been facing up to 53 years in prison when he was offered a plea for an eight year prison sentence. Leuthold advised Knetter that the State of Ohio would no longer make this offer to him.
Knetter affirmed that he wished to go to trial.
“Sir, you have every right to go to trial, and I will make sure you receive a fair trial,” Leuthold said.
Warrants were issued for two defendants who did not show for their pre-trials.
Ty Tyler, 36, of Galion failed to appear for his pretrial on felony non-support. Tyler’s attorney Jeff Stoll stated that said he had not been able to make contact with his client.
Joshua Conley, 36, of Tiro failed to appear on charges of improper handling of a firearm. His attorney Adam Stone noted that he had not been able to make contact with Conley and that he was concerned about his well-being.