BUCYRUS, OH (CRAWFORD COUNTY NOW)—After an eventful year and a variety of news stories, Crawford County Now has compiled the top 12 stories of 2023:
An entire community rallied to support the family and friends of Keris Dilgard Riebel after she was murdered on New Year’s Day while working at a Dollar Tree in Upper Sandusky.
Keris’ memory sparked an entire movement to honor her legacy of kindness. Keris’s accused killer Bethel Bekele, remains in a locked down psychiatric facility under court order. According to investigators, Riebel did not have any prior connection to her killer.
On January 22, 2023, Sean Cassaro, 46, of Bucyrus, died following an altercation in the driveway of a Tiffin Street resident. When officers arrived, Cassaro was unresponsive. Through the initial interview with the witness Rochelle Leonhardt, officers discovered there had been a physical altercation between the victim and Thomas Brown (49, of Bucyrus) and that Brown had left the scene in his vehicle. Brown is currently awaiting trial for the death of Cassaro.
Former Bucyrus attorney, Adam Stone surrendered his law license after a complaint was filed against him with the Ohio Board of Professional Conduct. Stone was accused of fraud and deception by Dan and Mindy Straker.
Boost Mobile of Galion advised its customers of their plans to close the Galion store effective January 30, 2023. In a letter sent to customers, Boost claimed the inability to work with the city of Galion to control electrics costs forced them to close.
On February 6, 2023, the first trial began in the murder of Michael “Mikey” Benedict in October of 2021.
Timothy Montgomery, 49, his wife Jaqueline, 43, had separate trials while Cameron Davis, 31, was given a plea deal.
The charges stemmed from the beating death of Michael “Mikey” Benedict. The three defendants engaged in an altercation with Benedict at a Crestline Bar. They followed Benedict from the bar and they beat him to unconsciousness. He died weeks after the assault.
Both Montgomery and his wife were tried and found guilty. They are each serving 15 years to life in prison. Timothy Montgomery recently lost his attempt to appeal his conviction.
Davis was sentenced to 25 years in prison.
A former Galion athletic trainer was charged with possession of sexually exploited images of children.
On March 1, 2023, detectives from the Marion Police Department arrested Jon Vitello, age 38 of Marion, for Pandering Obscenity involving a Minor. Vitello’s case remains open.
Former Galion Police Chief Marc Rodriquez filed a civil lawsuit against the city of Galion in March. Rodriquez has retained Hilliard attorney Gary Reeve to represent him in the civil action. Reeve specializes in wrongful termination.
After a little more than three hours of deliberations, the jury in the murder trial of Robert Pinyerd found him guilty of aggravated murder and murder with a gun specification. Pinyerd is charged with murder and aggravated murder in the shooting death of Cynthia Jo Heath in February of 2022. Heath was shot in the head three times shortly after she returned from breakfast with another man. Judge Sean Leuthold sentenced Pinyerd to life in prison without the possibility of parole. He added a three-year mandatory consecutive sentence on a firearm specification.
On a happier note, what was shaping up to be a dry summer for local kids quickly and unexpectedly did a 180° turn thanks to a few individuals at Bucyrus City Schools. The school system found a way to purchase a pool pass for Aumiller Pool for every Bucyrus City School student K-12. The influx of cash allowed the pool to open for the enjoyment of the entire community.
Anthony Morgan, 54, of Bucyrus, pleaded guilty in June in the Crawford County Common Pleas Court to one count of reckless homicide, a third-degree felony, punishable with up to 36 months in prison. The charge includes a specification that a firearm was used in committing the crime. The gun specification comes with a mandatory three years in prison. According to Prosecutor Matt Crall, Jennifer Morgan was lying in her bed when her husband, Anthony Morgan, who was playing with the scope on his gun, dropped the weapon on the floor. As he rose from the floor, he placed his hands on the bed, and the weapon discharged, killing Jennifer.
Judge Sean Leuthold sentenced Morgan to the maximum sentence of six years in prison.
The Holmes Township Fire Department had to come to terms with the untimely passing of their Fire Chief, John Schiefer. Chief Schiefer’s legacy is marked by not only his dedication to the profession but also his commitment to progress and innovation. Under his leadership, the department underwent significant advancements, embracing modern technology, and staying up to date with the latest equipment and techniques.
The Investigation Report pertaining to a Bucyrus couple engaged in inappropriate activities with two separate dogs left a community in shock. According to the report, on August 14th, two detectives questioned Dakota Commodore, who was under police custody due to alleged probation violations. Initially uncertain about the purpose of the conversation, Commodore later inquired if it was related to the content on his phone. Subsequently, he admitted to creating videos and participating in inappropriate actions involving two dogs that reportedly belonged to his girlfriend. Co-defendant Katlyn Burkett from Bucyrus was also implicated in the report. Commodore pleaded guilty and the Burkett case is ongoing.
Father and son Mark and Chet Cobb were charged separately with the same charges of pandering sexually explicit images involving children. Chet Cobb, a former Buckeye Central Bus Driver and part time custodian pleaded guilty and was sentenced to the maximum of 54 months in prison.
Cobb’s father, Mark Cobb, pleaded guilty to similar charges after prosecutors uncovered additional information on both men. Mark Cobb was sentenced to 30 months in prison.
Former Marion County Judge Jason Warner, 53, and his wife Julia, 56, were released from their respective prisons. The couple was convicted in 2020 for multiple charges including leaving the scene of an accident, tampering with evidence, and complicity after they collided with another vehicle on June 4, 2020. Regrettably, they left the severely injured victim, Colton Gray, trapped in his vehicle. Jason Warner made an unsuccessful bid to reinstate his law license. Warner has taken his bid to the Ohio Supreme Court.
The Bucyrus YMCA celebrated 120 years of service to Bucyrus and the surrounding areas. Among the updates in celebration of this milestone, is an expanded workout area, accessible 24/7 to members. The women’s locker room now features refurbished showers and brand-new lockers. Interactive basketball and golf simulators have been introduced to the facility.