By Krystal Smalley
ksmalley@wbcowqel.com
A simple mistake landed a Crestline woman in trouble, but the level of the mistake will not see her being sent to prison.
Melissa Lavene, 47, pleaded guilty to duty to register, a third-degree felony, in Crawford County Common Pleas Court Monday morning. The charge carried a maximum penalty of 36 months in prison, but Lavene is expected to be sentenced to five years on community control.
Lavene pleaded guilty in 2007 to unlawful sexual conduct with a minor and was required to register as a sex offender biannually for 10 years. That time period was almost up when Lavene listed her address as one place but lived with her boyfriend at another, something Common Pleas Court Judge Sean Leuthold termed as a technical violation.
“It’s a slipup with some punishment,” Leuthold acknowledged, pointing out that Lavene spent 43 days in the county jail as her case was handled.
“I won’t put someone in prison for what I characterize as a mistake,” Leuthold said before cautioning Lavene one last time. “Mistakes aren’t acceptable.”
Leuthold ordered a pre-sentence investigation and released Lavene on a personal recognizance bond with the advice that she provide the Sheriff’s Office with her correct address.
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Forty-five-year-old Cristina Ray was sentenced to five years on community control, ordered 
to complete a drug and alcohol treatment program, fined $1,250, and had her driver’s license suspended for six months. Ray pleaded guilty to drug possession, a fifth-degree felony, in January.
“This PSI (pre-sentence investigation) sends up tons of red flags for me,” Leuthold stated. Despite his reservations, he followed the recommendations laid out in the plea agreement.
Ray, who said she obtained methadone off the streets of Columbus while living there, told the judge that she got her act together in order to end her addiction. She admitted to being sober for six months.
“I hope that you’re absolutely right. I’m skeptical,” Leuthold said. “This scenario usually ends badly. I just have a bad feeling this isn’t going the way you’re telling it is.”
Leuthold encouraged Ray to get additional help while on community control.