BUCYRUS — Four defendants appeared in Crawford County Common Pleas Court on Monday to plead to various charges.
Matthew Mogan, 31, of Galion pleaded guilty to one count of possession of drugs, a fifth-degree felony punishable with up to 12 months in prison. Mogan was charged as a result of a drug overdose.
Common Pleas Court Judge Sean Leuthold agreed to a negotiated sentence in the Mogan case. He sentenced Mogan to 12 months in prison with a possible judicial release and community control in the future.
Mogan will receive 47 days of jail time credit and was ordered to forfeit all drug-related property to the appropriate law enforcement agency.
Preston Shanks, 19, of Bucyrus pleaded guilty to violating the terms and conditions of his community control. Shanks was placed on community control after he pleaded guilty to failure to register as a sex offender, a fourth-degree felony punishable with up to 18 months in prison.
Shanks came to Bucyrus from Missouri. After an investigation, it was determined that the duty to register law in Missouri is vastly different from Ohio law. Leuthold placed Shanks on community control because he felt Shanks had made an honest mistake in failing to register.
According to probation officer Eric Bohach, Shanks violated the terms and conditions of his community control when he was found in association with a felon and tested positive for THC.
Bohach came upon Shanks living in a residence on E. Rensselaer St. when he did a home check on another probationer. The probationer in question was being monitored closely because of developmental disabilities.
Leuthold applauded the probation department for their aggressive work on the case.
“We were trying to help this young individual with some intellectual disabilities when our probation department walked into a nightmare house,” Leuthold said. “The house had several issues including lice and bedbugs. Our officers couldn’t even go in. The young woman taken into custody had to have her head shaved to get rid of the lice.”
During the visit, Shanks, a convicted sex offender, was found in the home along with another felon.
Leuthold sentenced Shanks to a flat 12 months in prison.
“I thank the probation department for being aggressive. Without that aggressive work, God knows what would’ve happened in that house,” Leuthold said. “We have kids there and a disabled individual. I shudder to think…”
Michael Ponziani, 25, of Bucyrus pleaded guilty to one count of possession of drugs, a fifth-degree felony punishable with up to 12-month in prison. Ponziani has been monitored by the court for some time before the negotiated sentence. During that time, he was routinely screened for drug use and tested without incident.
Leuthold sentenced Ponziani to the prosecutor’s intervention in lieu of conviction for the offense. If Ponziani successfully completes the intervention program, he will not have a felony record.
Leuthold had some stern comments for Ponziani.
“I don’t know you, but we work out at the same place and I’ve seen your behavior. You are going to quit being a horse’s behind, arrogant and refusing to listen to anyone,” Leuthold said. “I see your family here today. I’m sure at times they are about ready to tear their hair out over you. I know that because I have seen your behavior in public.”
Leuthold told Ponziani that his lawyer had worked hard for the agreement and that he had better take it seriously.
“The days of doing what you want are over. You are now in the court system in Crawford County and its serious business,” Leuthold said. “Your family loves you, but I don’t. I’m not even sure I like you. I’m not tolerating any nonsense from you.
“You are not the type of person who would do well in prison. I see a slight attitude change in you and that’s why I’m doing this. Don’t blow this chance. This is the nice me talking to you right now. You don’t want to see the other side of me. You’re going to live a productive life. It’s a new day. In fact, it’s the first day of the rest of your life. You’d better keep it on track.”
Steven Moneysmith, 42, of Bucyrus pleaded guilty to violating the terms and conditions of his community control. Moneysmith was placed on five years of community control after pleading guilty to domestic violence in December.
According to probation officer Chris Heydinger, Moneysmith permitted drug abuse at his home, discovered when the Bucyrus Police Department executed a search warrant. He failed to report police contact. He also tested positive for amphetamines and methamphetamines and admitted to using alcohol.
Leuthold sentenced Moneysmith to a flat eight months in prison. Leuthold said he would not oppose transitional control if the prison requested it.