BUCYRUS — The infamous “Galion Grinches” found themselves back in jail and arraigned in Crawford County Common Pleas Court via video from the Crawford County Justice Center on Wednesday.
Shaun Arthur, 36, of Galion was on judicial release and placed on community control after he pleaded guilty to four counts of theft, all fifth-degree felonies punishable with up to 12 months in prison on each.
Arthur pleaded guilty to theft of railroad ties, two sets of Christmas decorations, theft of a ceramic frog and criminal trespass, a fourth-degree misdemeanor. He was sentenced to 24 months in prison in December and was granted judicial release on July 19.
According to allegations presented by probation officer Eric Bohach, Arthur was found in possession of meth, possession of drug paraphernalia, admitted to using the drugs and associating with a known felon, his co-defendant Jerri Dix -Mahoney.
Dix-Mahoney was released after serving six months in the Crawford County Jail. She pleaded guilty to stealing Christmas decorations in the Galion area. Dix-Mahoney was upset because she lost custody of her children and felt if she wasn’t going to have a good Christmas no one else should. She was also placed on five years of community control and faces the same allegations as Arthur.
What the couple did not count on was the vigilance of the citizens of Galion. Assistant Prosecutor Ryan Hoovler told the court that calls started coming in reporting the couple’s crimes to pay for their continued drug use.
“We received numerous calls saying they were up to no good,” Hoovler said.
Common Pleas Court Judge Sean Leuthold found probable cause to set the allegations that the couple violated the terms and conditions of their community control for a final hearing.
Leuthold set bond for the couple at $100,000 each. He appointed Tani Eyer to represent Dix-Mahoney and Tom Nicholson to represent Arthur.
In other court action, a mother and son pleaded guilty to drug possession charges.
Stacy Cox, 52, of Galion pleaded guilty to one count of possession of drugs and one count of permitting drug abuse, both fifth-degree felonies punishable with up to one year in prison on each count.
Because Cox is not prison eligible at this time, Leuthold sentenced her to five years of community control but expressed his doubts.
“I’m concerned about your ability to complete community control,” Leuthold said. “I don’t joke around with community control in Crawford County. If you test positive, you’ll go to prison. There’s no sugar coating this. There is not an endless supply of second chances here.”
Leuthold ordered Cox to have drug and alcohol assessment and follow-up treatment.
Cox said she wanted to apologize to her husband who was present in the courtroom.
In the afternoon session of court, Cox’s son, Alex, appeared for sentencing. Cox, 23, was also charged with one count of possession of drugs, one count of permitting drug abuse — both fifth-degree felonies and one misdemeanor count of falsification. He was also not prison eligible.
Leuthold sentenced him to five years on community control. If Cox fails to complete community control, he will spend 24 months in prison.
“I am looking at your Dad back there. I feel about as sorry for him as I have anyone in my court,” Leuthold said. “He has had to sit here and watch his wife and his son plead guilty to drug-related crimes. I’m not happy with you. You came in here asking for help, said you wanted to go to a rehab in Florida.
“Well, I cannot legally let you do that, you must stay in the state of Ohio,” Leuthold continued. “So, I offered you a community-based correctional facility program. But you turned that down, because it’s a lock down facility. You said you wanted help but only the kind of help that you want to choose. I’m not going to hold your decision against you.”
Leuthold ordered Cox to alcohol and drug assessment and follow-up treatment. Then, Leuthold had some parting words for Cox:
“You have family here that loves you. But guess what? I don’t love you, I’m not even sure I like you,” Leuthold said. “I have my doubts. I wish you and your Mom good luck. If you test dirty, you’re going to prison. If you screw up, you’re going to prison. If you get a DUI you’re going to prison.”