BUCYRUS — David Chatman of Galion appeared in Crawford County Common Pleas Court to reject a plea deal offered by the state of Ohio.
Chatman, 31, is charged with one count rape, a first-degree felony. The alleged victim was six years old. Because of the age of the victim, if Chatman is found guilty, he could serve life in prison without the possibility of parole.
The state of Ohio offered Chatman a sentence of life in prison with the possibility of parole after he serves 25 years. Chatman rejected that plea and indicated he wants to pursue a trial.
Chatman also signed a Waiver of Speedy Trial. In Ohio, if a defendant is being held in jail, he or she must be brought to trial within 90 days of the charges being made.
However, a defendant can waive the right to a speedy trial to allow his defense to adequately prepare a case to be heard by a jury. Attorney Andrew Motter is representing Chatman.
In other court action, Robin Fraley, 29, of Galion admitted to violating the terms and conditions of her community control. According to probation officer Eric Bohach, Fraley failed to attend counseling sessions and tested positive for fentanyl, gabapentin and THC.
Fraley was initially placed on community control in 2017 for possession of drugs, a fifth-degree felony punishable with up to 12 months in prison.
Common Pleas Court Judge Sean Leuthold decided to allow Fraley to return to his ISAT (Intensive Supervision And Treatment) program.
“Look, this is your one last chance. If you don’t complete this program, next time you’ll go to prison,” Leuthold said.
Jeffrey Ramsey, 46, of Bucyrus pleaded guilty to tampering with evidence and possession of drugs, each a third-degree felony and each punishable with up to 36 months in prison.
Ramsey admitted to the court that he had been using meth.
“Meth really ages you. For every four months you use meth, it ages you three years,” Leuthold told Ramsey. “We’re around the same age, you have got to care more about your health. You’re old enough to know what’s right and what’s wrong. Hopefully you’ll kick this thing but if not, you’ll go right back to prison.”
Leuthold sentenced Ramsey to 36 months in prison on the tampering with evidence charge and 18 months in prison for the possession charge for a total of 54 months in prison. He was ordered to forfeit all drug-related property to the Bucyrus Police Department. Ramsey will receive 48 days of jail time credit.
Jesse Vance, 30, of Bucyrus was back in court Wednesday. Vance was recently released from the Lorain Correctional Institution, but has been charged with tampering with evidence, a third-degree felony punishable with up to 36 months in prison and possession of drugs, a fifth-degree felony punishable with up to 12 months in prison.
Leuthold asked Vance if he had anything he wanted to say before sentencing.
“It was the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do to come here today knowing I’d be going back to prison,” Vance said. “I want to do what is right and explore what I’m supposed to do with my life.”
Leuthold commended Vance for showing up.
“A lot of guys just out of prison would have been on the run and not come back in here,” Leuthold said. “I’m going to do something I very rarely do. I hardly ever use the word concurrent in sentencing, but I’m going to run these sentences concurrently.”
Leuthold sentenced Vance to 12 months on the tampering with evidence charge and 7 months on the drug possession charge, to be run concurrently, for a total of 12 months in prison.
In reference to Vance searching for his purpose in life Leuthold said, “Did you ever hear the old saying. ‘quit drilling you’ve already got good oil’? Think about that.”
Donald Breckenridge, 26, of Bucyrus appeared in court to change his plea. Breckenridge pleaded guilty to felonious assault, a second-degree felony punishable with up to eight years in prison. Breckenridge got the charge after a bar fight in which the victim’s jaw was broken.
“Normally, I take a different look at bar fights. Usually each party gets their shot in and usually the guy that loses wants charges filed,” Leuthold said. “However, this case was different. The victim never threw a punch and was beaten badly. When he fell to the ground, Mr. Breckenridge kicked him in the face breaking his jaw. That constitutes a serious crime.”
Leuthold sentenced Breckenridge to four years in prison. He will be ordered to make restitution to the victim in an amount to be determined.
Christopher Choate, 48, of Marion appeared in court with his attorney, Grant Garverick. According to Garverick, Choate submitted motions for his defense to the court without consulting with him. He said Choate would not receive his counsel and that he wished to be removed from his case.
Leuthold addressed Choate saying he had received his motion and his defense that he was not subject to the court because of sovereign citizenship.
Sovereign citizenship is a term used to refer to a political movement which grew out of the belief in government abuses of power.
“If you want to go to trial, I will protect your legal and constitutional rights. I will appoint you a new attorney if that’s what you want,” Leuthold said. “But I must tell you that this court does not recognize sovereign citizenship defenses. They have worked zero times. I have seen them in Municipal Court many times. It’s a bunch of nonsense and it’s not the law. You cannot argue this to a jury, it is not the law. The rights given you under the constitution are much more important than this nonsense.”
Choate told the court he would retain his own counsel. He is facing felony non-support charges, a fifth-degree felony punishable with up to 12 months in prison. The state offered one year of court supervision which Choate rejected. Leuthold told Choate if he could not find an attorney on his own the court would appoint him a new attorney. Leuthold permitted Garverick to withdraw from the case.