By Krystal Smalley
ksmalley@wbcowqel.com
The number of felonies was shocking, the disgust in the room tangible. In the end, however, it was agreed that the best course of action would be to send Marcus Williams to prison rather than drag the child pornography case through a trial that would make the children victims once again.
Thirty-six-year-old Williams, of Galion, pleaded guilty to 24 counts of pandering sexually-oriented materials involving minors in Crawford County Common Pleas Court Wednesday morning. The remaining felonies in the six-dozen count indictment, plus charges of importuning, disseminating materials harmful to juveniles, and possession of criminal tools were dismissed as part of the plea agreement.
Judge Sean Leuthold sentenced Williams to 10 years in prison, a punishment which the Bureau of Criminal Investigation – one of the agencies involved in the online child solicitation investigation – believed to be a fair and just resolution.
“We’re pretty satisfied with the sentence we’re receiving,” said county prosecutor Matthew Crall. “I think this sends a strong message to people who would look at child pornography and abuse, as the judge said, some of our most vulnerable members of our society. I feel that it’s very important that we protect young people from exploitation.”
Assistant prosecutor Ryan Hoovler said it was the state’s position that only a small amount of the photographs gathered would rise to the level of felony for children pornography. Each photo essentially counted as a fourth-degree felony and carried maximum 18-month prison sentences, though in Williams’ plea agreement, many of the counts ran concurrent or consecutive to each other.
In addition to a decade in prison, Williams must also register in person as a Tier II sex offender every 180 days for 25 years. He will also be placed on mandatory post-release control for five years after he serves his full prison sentence.
“I apologize for my actions,” Williams said in court. “I intend to do things to better myself over the next several years and when I’m released.”
Though Leuthold believed Williams could turn his life around that was where his compassion ended.
“Mr. Williams, when I hand out a decade of prison, I’m not going to chastise you – I don’t think it’s appropriate. The sentence speaks for itself,” Leuthold stated.
That caveat, however, did not stop Leuthold from voicing his opinion on the entire matter.
“I found the photographs distasteful, disgusting,” Leuthold said from the bench. “These children are not just objects. They are someone’s daughter, niece, granddaughter.”
He added that the case was one of the most horrible things to happen in this community. Acknowledging that Williams did not take the pictures, Leuthold did not let the defendant mistake just how serious his actions were when it came to child pornography.
“You’re continuing this problem by looking at these disgusting, unacceptable things,” the judge said, adding that there would be no market for such material if he did not download them.
Leuthold denied pending motions to suppress evidence and to remove himself from the bench.
Williams faced similar charges in Jackson County in 2008. He was eventually convicted of disseminating matter harmful to juveniles while an importuning charge was dismissed.
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Twenty-nine-year-old Jonathon Cramer, of Crestline, will also be spending some time in jail. Cramer admitted to violating his community control when he failed to submit to a random drug screen as ordered by his supervising officer on June 17.
Cramer, who pleaded guilty to theft in 2014 and was placed on intervention before being moved to probation in 2015 after failing the original program, received a nine-month prison sentence for the newest violation.
“The history really goes to what the sentencing should be,” said Hoovler, who argued for an 11-month prison sentence. “We’re here arguing for what is obviously illicit drug use.”
Defense attorney Sebastian Berger, who felt that the hearing was rushed through, asked for entrance in the Volunteers of America program for his client or a furlough in order for Cramer to take care of some recent medical issues.
Cramer said he suffered back-to-back seizures two months ago and blacked out in his cell the night before his hearing.
“I understand what I did was wrong,” Cramer said. “The medical thing is my main concern right now.”
Cramer said he had doctor’s visits and lab work done before being arrested, but he was scheduled for a neurologist visit at the end of this week.
“No doubt that if the defendant has medical issues, county jail is no place for him,” Leuthold noted, though he was concerned about Cramer’s continued drug use. “I’ll tell you one thing – smoking pot and taking opiates is not helping your seizure issue.”
Leuthold believed an 11-month prison sentence was not necessary and instead ordered Cramer to serve a 9-month stint where he would have a controlled atmosphere to deal with his medical issues.
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