BUCYRUS — It was a busy day in Crawford County Common Pleas Court on Monday and most of the defendants were not happy with the outcome.
Joshua Rowlinson, 30, of Bucyrus pleaded guilty to violating the terms and conditions of his community control just one day after he was released from prison.
Rowlinson was sentenced to prison March after he pleaded guilty to two counts of breaking and entering, one count of receiving stolen property and one count of vandalism, all fifth-degree felonies and each punishable with up to one year in prison. Common Pleas Court Judge Sean Leuthold sentenced Rowlinson to four years in prison.
Rowlinson was granted judicial release on July 15 and reoffended the next day. According to probation officer Jeremy Clay, Rowlinson overdosed and caused the EMTs to use several shots of Narcan to revive him. When revived he caused physical harm while resisting arrest. He also violated the court-ordered post prison release 14-day quarantine and was in the company of a known felon.
“That was fast, but that’s not the record,” Leuthold said. “I let you out of prison and you act like a maniac. You treated the police badly. In a climate where police are often accused of treating offenders badly, I want to commend all the officers involved for going out of their way not to hurt you.”
Leuthold imposed the original four-year sentence, with Rowlinson receiving credit for time served.
“I wish you good luck. You’ve got a serious drug problem to come out of prison and overdose this fast,” Leuthold said. “I hope you take this time to get your life on track and deal with your drug problems.”
In other court action, Samuel Bowersox, 52, of Bucyrus pleaded guilty to violating the terms and conditions of his judicial release. Bowersox was sentenced to prison in July 2019 for two years for possession of drugs. He was granted judicial release in March.
According to probation officer Eric Bohach, Bowersox failed to appear for an office visit in May. He then left the state without permission, was arrested, and refused to take a drug test when in custody.
Bowesox’s attorney, Tom Nicholson, told the court his client had left the state to look for work.
“Look, we had to come get you. If you would’ve turned yourself in, I might be looking at this differently,” Leuthold said.
Leuthold imposed the two-year prison sentence but told Bowersox he would not oppose transitional control if the prison requested it.
Nevada Frost, 25, of Sycamore pleaded guilty to having weapons under disability, a third-degree felony punishable with up to three years in prison.
In a plea negotiation, Leuthold sentenced Frost to 18 months in prison and will receive jail time credit. He must forfeit the 45-caliber pistol and ammunition to the proper authorities. Leuthold said he would not oppose transitional control is the prison requested it.
Mickie Crider, 43, of Butler appeared via video from the Crawford County Jail to answer allegations she violated her community control. Crider was sentenced to five years on community control in 2017 after pleading guilty to one count of possession of drugs, a fourth-degree felony punishable with up to 18 months in prison and one count of possession of drugs, a fifth-degree felony punishable with up to one year in prison.
According to probation officer Clay, Crider was found passed out on her front porch by Galion Police. Her baby was in the car seat next to her pulling on her hair. The allegations include child endangering. On August 1, Crider tested positive for meth and crack cocaine.
Leuthold ordered the matter set for a full hearing. Attorney Brian Gernert was appointed to represent Crider and bond was set at $75,000.
Pamela Miller, 49, of Indiana became hysterical as she was taken into custody when she appeared for her first pretrial.
Miller is charged with improper handling of a firearm in a vehicle, a fourth-degree felony punishable with up to 18 months in prison. Miller had been free after posting 10 percent of a $50,000 bond.
As is routine during court appearances, defendants are tested for drugs and alcohol. According to probation officer Kylie Sinclair, Miller tested positive for amphetamines and meth. Sinclair said Miller told her that she had only smoked marijuana.
Miller’s attorney, Brian Gernert, told the court his client had invested her own money in bond, had appeared as requested in the past and that she had grandchildren to care for. Gernert asked the court to continue her bond.
Assistant prosecutor Ryan Hoovler told the court that Miller’s use of meth puts her and the public in danger.
“The underlying charge here is having a firearm in a vehicle and now we’ve got drug use,” Hoovler said. “The state would ask for a bond of $150,000.”
Miller began begging Leuthold to let her stay out on bond.
“I’ve got property taxes I need to take care of and grandkids I have to take care of,” Miller said.
Leuthold set Miller’s bond at $100,000 and ordered her taken into custody. She began screaming and crying. Leuthold ordered her turned around to face him.
“If you had property taxes to pay and grandkids to take care of then you shouldn’t have been using meth!” Leuthold said.