BUCYRUS, OH (CRAWFORD COUNTY NOW)—As 2024 draws to a close, Crawford County Now has compiled a recap of the year’s most significant news stories, ranked by reader engagement. Here are the top ten stories of the year:
10. Indictment of Former Attorney Adam Stone Adam Stone, a former Bucyrus attorney, was indicted in Delaware County for allegedly misleading clients Dan and Mindy Straker regarding their pursuit of justice after the death of their son. Stone faces multiple charges, including telecommunications fraud and impersonation of a police officer, which could result in over eight years in prison. His arraignment is scheduled for January 10th.
9. Brandon Powell’s Legal Troubles Bucyrus resident Brandon Powell declined a plea deal in Crawford County Common Pleas Court and was subsequently found guilty on charges of drug possession and menacing. Powell was sentenced to nine months in prison, with credit for 158 days served.
8. Family Generational Abuse An investigation by the Crawford County Sheriff’s Office revealed disturbing generational abuse within a single family. Chandler Cobb, 25, was arrested for unreported juvenile crimes, while his father, Chet Cobb, and grandfather, Mark Cobb, are both serving prison sentences for sexually oriented offenses involving minors.
7. Pastor Hunter Hickman Faces New Felony Charges Bucyrus Pastor Hunter Hickman, 32, was hit with an additional third-degree felony charge of intimidation of an attorney, victim, or witness, following an earlier indictment for a fourth-degree felony charge of voyeurism. Hickman’s case remains pending as he faces significant legal scrutiny.
6. Armed Affiliate of a Motorcycle Gang Arrested Coming in at number six in the yearly countdown was a frightening reminder of when motorcycle gangs frequently visited Bucyrus. On the evening of April 20, 2024, Bucyrus law enforcement officers conducted a traffic stop on West Mansfield Street and Spring Street, leading to multiple arrests and drug seizures. The vehicle, bearing an Indiana registration, was occupied by affiliates of the Outlaw Motorcycle Club. Camerino Denman, 28, of Anderson, Indiana, was found in possession of a firearm, which he failed to declare to the officers. Denman was charged with improper handling of a firearm in a motor vehicle and transported to the Crawford County Justice Center.
5. Nurse Arrested for Child Exploitation Dustin Swartz, a registered nurse from New Washington, was arrested on multiple charges related to sexually exploitative material involving minors. Swartz’s arrest and subsequent indictment made the list as the fifth most-read story of 2024. Authorities discovered thousands of disturbing images and videos during a search of his electronic devices. He is currently being held on a one million dollar bond, facing 50 counts of various crimes against children.
4. Bucyrus Woman Charged in Infant’s Death Takayiah Wright, 27, pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter in connection with her infant’s death. After police responded to a 911 call, it was revealed that Wright’s account of the incident that left her infant dead raised serious concerns and led to her guilty plea. She is now serving a ten-year prison sentence.
3. Tornado Strikes Bucyrus In April, a tornado unexpectedly struck Bucyrus, causing significant property damage but resulting in no reported injuries. City employees and emergency responders worked quickly to aid residents and assess damages in the aftermath of the storm.
2. Matt Trammel Wins Bodybuilding Competition Former Galion resident Matt Trammel made headlines after winning first place in the Amateur Bodybuilding Competition for athletes aged 40 and older at the Arnold Sports Festival, fulfilling a lifelong dream.
1. Pastor Hunter Hickman’s Voyeurism Charges Hunter Hickman, a pastor in Galion, topped the list of the year’s most engaging stories due to shocking allegations of voyeurism. Previously a chaplain for the Galion Police Department, Hickman’s charges have brought significant attention to his case, leading to his removal from church duties. Hickman remains in custody. A hearing to modify his bond is set for early January.
Crawford County Now remains committed to providing reliable news coverage and keeping the community informed as we head into the new year.