BUCYRUS — John Parker of Bucyrus pleaded guilty to violating the terms and conditions of his community control in Crawford County Common Pleas Court Wednesday morning.
Parker, 36, was sentenced to three years and 23 months in prison in November 2017 after he pleaded guilty to three counts of breaking and entering, each fifth-degree felonies and each punishable with up to one year in prison. Parker was granted judicial release in February and placed on five years of community control.
According to probation officer Chris Heydinger, Parker submitted to a routine drug screen on June 16 and the results were positive for cocaine. Parker admitted the drug use.
In a plea negotiation, Common Pleas Court Judge Sean Leuthold imposed 12 months in prison on count one, 11 months on count three and terminated count two as unsuccessful for a total of 23 months in prison.
Parker asked to address the court before being taken back to jail to await transport to prison.
“I just want to thank the court for this opportunity. And thank you, Judge, for cleaning up the streets and keeping our kids safe,” Parker said.
“Thank you for the kind words. I want this to work out for you. I will not oppose transitional control if the prison requests it,” Leuthold said.
In other court action, Jennifer Claus, 48, of Bucyrus pleaded guilty to violating the terms and conditions of her community control.
Claus was originally placed on community control in 2018 after she pleaded guilty to one count of theft and five counts of forgery, each fifth-degree felonies and each punishable with up to one year in prison. In July 2019, Claus was sent to prison for 59 months after she violated her community control. She was granted judicial release in March.
According to probation officer Kylie Sinclair, Claus tested positive for fentanyl in a routine drug screen on June 16 and Claus admitted the drug use.
Leuthold recalled that he had given Claus several breaks in sentencing.
“I sentenced you to community control and you violated. I could have sentenced you to 84 months in prison but gave you a break and sent you to prison for 59 months,” Leuthold said. “I waived the collecting of fines while you were in prison so you could have money for the things you needed. I gave you judicial release after serving ten months in prison to help care for your sick mother. Now, you’re right back here for violating again.”
After reviewing the circumstances of the case, Leuthold said that Claus stole her mother’s checkbook and wrote checks for drugs.
“I don’t think Ms. Claus is a threat to society in general but I certainly wouldn’t loan her my checkbook,” Leuthold said. “And I certainly do not like the idea that you were caring for you mother while doing drugs.”
Leuthold sentenced Claus to 43 months in prison. She will receive all jail time credit. Leuthold said he would not oppose transitional control (halfway house) if the prison requested it.