BUCYRUS — It was a busy day in Crawford County Common Pleas Court on Monday as several defendants were sentenced.
David Hendrickson, 53, of Bucyrus pleaded guilty to one count of failure to comply, a third-degree felony punishable with up to three years in prison and two counts of assault on a police officer, each fourth-degree felonies punishable with up to 18 months on each count.
In a plea negotiation, Common Pleas Court Judge Sean Leuthold sentenced Hendrickson to 18 months in prison on the failure to comply charge and 18 and 12 months, respectively, on the assault on a police officer charges for a total of 48 months in prison. Leuthold also issued a lifetime driver’s license suspension in the case but said he would review that after three years.
When asked if he had anything to say, Hendrickson apologized to the officers and his family for his behavior.
Jamin Cowgill, 22, of Galion pleaded guilty to failure to comply, a third-degree felony punishable with up to three years in prison. Cowgill led police on a high-speed chase, crashed his vehicle and then turned out his lights to avoid detection and continued on to wreck his vehicle a second time. He fled the vehicle into the woods where K-9s had to be dispatched to locate him.
Leuthold sentenced Cowgill to the maximum of three years in prison and a lifetime driver’s license suspension. There will be an opportunity for a judicial release, but Leuthold told Cowgill he expected him to answer some questions.
“Once you go to prison, it is me and only me who can release you under a judicial release. Whether or not I choose to do that will depend on how honest you are with me about what you were doing when this happened,” Leuthold said. “We have had a rash of these cases where people take complete leave of their senses and act like maniacs.”
Cowgill answered Leuthold’s questions and admitted he was obliterated. He told the judge that while he did not do any drugs, he had a lot of whiskey at his fiancé’s father’s house and they argued. He said he left but then tried to come back to straighten things out with her. He said he only remembered bits and pieces and he had tested strongly over the limit for the alcohol.
“You were acting like a maniac. But I appreciate your honestly,” Leuthold said. “I’m happy you’re alive here today and happy that no one is dead because of your behavior.”
Alec Webb, 19, of Bucyrus admitted to violating the terms and conditions of his community control and opted to argue sentencing before Leuthold. Webb was sentenced to prison for the maximum sentence of three in 2019 for aggravated burglary, a third-degree felony.
In April, Webb was granted judicial release. In May, after testing positive for drugs, Webb carved his name into the wall of the waiting cell. He was sentenced to 100 days in jail and released again on community control.
According to probation officer Jeremy Clay, Webb was arrested on October 4 for disorderly conduct by intoxication and held until sober. On October 5, he submitted to a urine test which resulted in positive results for sub Oxone and THC. He admitted the use.
Webb’s attorney, Brian Gernert, argued for treatment for his client. Gernert told the court that his underlying drug addiction and poor choices had contributed to the charges. Gernert further stated his client needed addiction treatment, mental health treatment and to be taught life skills. Gernert asked that his client be held at the Crawford County Jail until he could research drug programs that could accept him with the underlying burglary charge.
Assistant Prosecutor Ryan Hoovler asked the court to reimpose the original sentence.
“Mr. Webb has had many chances and is unable to do what is asked of him,” Hoovler said.
A frustrated Leuthold reviewed his own efforts to help Webb.
“I understand some of the underlying situations in Mr. Webb’s life. I originally sentenced him to 36 months in prison and out in 24 months,” Leuthold said. “I rethought that and allowed him to be released 18 months early. Then when he pulled the little stunt in the waiting cell, I gave him 100 days in jail. I let him out of that early because of COVID concerns and put him back on community control. All in all, he’s only been out of jail for about 90 days and managed to get into more trouble.”
Leuthold reimposed the original 36-month prison sentence. He told Webb he would not oppose transitional control if the prison asked for it.
“I take no pleasure in this. I’ve cut you break after break,” Leuthold said. “We are at the end of the road. I only have so much time and so many resources to help someone. I’ve used them all on Alec.”
Thomas Wells, 42, of Bucyrus pleaded guilty to one count of domestic violence, a fourth-degree felony amended from a third-degree felony. Leuthold sentenced Wells to five years of community control. He must complete domestic violence and anger assessments and any follow up treatment. Wells was ordered to have no direct or indirect contact with the victim.
“Stay away from her. If you don’t, I’m going to send you to prison,” Leuthold said.