BUCYRUS — A Bucyrus woman learned the hard way that it’s best to be honest with the judge. Tia Crowden, 47, of Bucyrus appeared in Crawford County Common Pleas Court to answer to charges of violating the terms and conditions of her community control.
According to Probation Officer Eric Bohach, Crowden failed to report for her office visits after September 17. Crowden was placed on judicial release from prison in March, where she was serving a sentence on a theft charge.
Bohach said that Crowden appeared for her office visit in March with a child in tow. She was asked to take a drug test. Crowden told Bohach she could not produce urine.
He allowed her to take the child home and then report back for the test. Bohach testified that she never returned. She later told Bohach in a phone call that she had a job interview.
Bohach tried to verify the job interview and called the potential employer. Bohach was told that she never had an interview and hadn’t been in that business on that day, leading Bohach to issue a warrant for her arrest.
When questioned by Judge Sean Leuthold, Crowden stuck to her story.
“Don’t tell me you were at a job interview or that you had a grandchild to take care of,” Leuthold said. “I let you out of prison and you pull this crap!”
Crowden told the judge that she now has a job and needs to help her son care for his child.
“I was supposed to come back, and I didn’t go to my job interview either,” Crowden said.
“I was doing my best to cut you a break and all I get out of you is lies! You need to listen more and talk less,” Leuthold said. “Bond is set at $50,000. Take her out!”
Attorney Grant Gaverick was appointed to represent Crowden.
A hearing on a motion to consolidate three cases and try them together was also resolved Wednesday in Crawford County Common Pleas Court.
Assistant Prosecutor Ryan Hoovler made a motion to consolidate the trials of Brandy Conley, 37, of Shelby, Ryan Staton, 34, of Shelby and Tyler Morris, 33, of Shelby. The trio was charged separately because of an undercover drug operation.
Conley is charged with three fourth-degree felonies of drug trafficking, two third-degree felonies for drug trafficking and one second-degree felony of engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity. She is represented by attorney Joel Spitzer.
Staton, represented by attorney Brad Starkey, is charged with a fourth-degree felony of trafficking in drugs, a third-degree felony of trafficking in drugs and a second-degree felony of engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity.
Morris is charged with three fourth-degree felonies of drug trafficking, two third-degree felonies for drug trafficking and one second-degree felony of engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity. Morris is represented by attorney Tom Nicholson.
According to attorneys Nicholson and Spitzer, Morris and Conley were married in Shelby. Spitzer made an argument that spousal privilege applied to their clients. He noted that his client could be prejudiced if tried with her husband.
When making his arguments to the court, Nicholson drew the ire of Judge Leuthold, who ordered all three attorneys to present briefs or oral arguments as to why trying their clients together would be prejudicial.
After several warnings to Nicholson to stay on topic, Leuthold ordered him to stop speaking. Nicholson continued until Leuthold told him, “You are very close to receiving a contempt charge Mr. Nicholson. Sit down.”
Assistant Prosecutor Hoovler informed the court that he had no proof that Conley and Morris were married.
“I took that statement in good faith,” Leuthold said. “I can’t imagine anyone would lie about that. I take your point and I am going to give the defendants seven days to bring certified proof to the court that they are indeed married.”
Leuthold ruled that he would separate the trials. Morris will be tried alone and Conley and Staton will be tried together. Leuthold went on to tell the trio and their attorneys that if he did not receive proof of a marriage within seven days, the three defendants would be tried together.