Bucyrus woman sentenced to four years in prison

BUCYRUS — A Bucyrus woman appeared in Crawford County Common Pleas Court on Monday and pleaded guilty to one count of possession of drugs, (an amended felony) and one count of tampering with evidence, a third-degree felony punishable with up to three years in prison.

Tasia Myers, 33, of Bucyrus was sentenced to two years in prison on each count by Common Pleas Court Judge Sean Leuthold, meaning Myers will spend the next four years in prison. Myers will be considered for a judicial release in the future and will pay restitution in an amount to be determined, for vandalizing the Crawford County Jail.

In other court action, Lashaunda Pankey, 27, of Galion pleaded guilty to violating the terms and conditions of her community control. According to probation officer, Jeremy Clay, Pankey was involved in an identity fraud incident at the Crawford County Jail.

Leuthold accepted the state’s recommendation that Pankey have her original three-year prison sentence reimposed with no new charges in the community control violation.

Pankey was sentenced to three years in January for obstruction of justice. She was granted judicial release in May but violated community control again in September and was ordered to complete a community-based correctional facility program and was then returned to community control.

Joshua Eldridge, 34, of Bucyrus pleaded guilty to violating the terms and conditions of his community control after he tested positive for alcohol. Eldridge was placed on community control in September after he pleaded guilty to felony non-support, a fifth-degree felony punishable with up to one year in prison.

Leuthold ordered Eldridge to complete an alcohol treatment program at a community-based correctional facility. When he completes that program, he will be returned to community control.

“Good luck to you and stay off the booze,” Leuthold said.

Dale Samsel, 35, of Crestline refused a plea negotiation offer and opted for a jury trial. Samsel faces one count of failure to comply, a third-degree felony punishable with up to three years in prison. The state offered Samsel a flat 12 months in prison which he declined. His trial is slated to begin on January 7.