By Kathy Laird
CCN Correspondent
Michael Shaw, 36, of Galion will spend the next five years in prison after pleading guilty to multiple drug-related charges.
Shaw pleaded guilty to one count of possession of drugs, one count of permitting drug abuse and one count of illegal possession of chemicals to manufacture drugs.
Shaw and co-defendants the subjects of a drug bust for making methamphetamines in an apartment in Galion.
In what Judge Sean Leuthold called a “dangerous situation,” the meth was being cooked above an apartment where four children resided, posing an immediate danger to the neighborhood.
Noting that meth is making a comeback all over the country, Leuthold had a warning for Shaw.
“We are not going to tolerate the manufacture and selling of methamphetamine in Crawford County,” Leuthold said. “You better get that through your head. If you come back to this county and do this again I will send you right back to prison.”
Shaw told the court that he needs to kick his meth addiction once and for all.
“That’s the understatement of all time,” Leuthold said. “Get yourself healthy; take advantage of all the programs offered in prison. Come out and have a productive life.”
Shaw was ordered to forfeit all drug related property to the Galion Police Department.
Kristen Johnston, 23, of Crestline will spend the next four years in prison. Monday was Johnson’s second appearance before Crawford County Common Pleas Court Judge Sean Leuthold.
Leuthold allowed a previous motion by Johnston for a new attorney, and Sebastian Berger appeared in court with Johnston to accept a plea deal.
Leuthold told Johnston that he was a little reluctant to accept the plea because it was almost identical to the last plea deal she turned down, to then subsequently asked for a new lawyer. According to the original offer, Johnston would have received credit for time served in jail, but in the new offer, that credit was applied to an assault charge she pleaded guilty to.
In addition to the assault charge, Johnston pleaded guilty to aggravated burglary. That plea landed her with four years in prison. Before imposing a sentence, Leuthold asked Johnston if she’d been given advice from other inmates at the jail on how to plead her case. Because of Johnston’s honesty in admitting she had indeed taken advice from an inmate on how to plead her case, Leuthold decided to agree to the deal.
“You took the wrong advice, Ms. Johnston,” Leuthold said. “Take advice from the guy in the suit not the guy in the orange jumpsuit. If he was so smart, he wouldn’t be there.”
Noting that Johnston had no lengthy criminal record Leuthold said she has a serious issue with alcohol.
“This would have been a much longer sentence if it were a typical aggravated burglary where you broke into a stranger’s home and beat and robbed them That was not the case here,” Leuthold said.
According to charges, Johnston was at a party and became drunk and belligerent. She was asked to leave the party, but came back with a hammer and broke into the residence.
“Miss Johnston was drunk out of her mind and when she drinks she gets mean and becomes a danger to herself and others. We cannot tolerate this behavior,” Leuthold said.
Leuthold encouraged Johnston to take advantage of all the programs available in prison and get her life in order. After some time in prison, Leuthold indicated that if Johnston stayed out of trouble she might eligible for judicial release.
“We will do everything we can to help you,” Leuthold said. “But for now, you have to serve some time in prison.”
The time Johnston has served will satisfy the sentence for assault and the prison time goes toward the aggravated burglary conviction.
Ross Craner, 27, of Galion appeared in court to answer to a charge for a violation of his community control. In a hearing to determine if there was indeed a violation of the conditions of his community control, Craner was represented by attorney Brad Starkey.
Assistant Prosecutor Ryan Hoovler called Common Pleas Court Probation Officer Eric Bohach to testify about the violation of Craner’s community control.
Bohach testified that Craner was being supervised after a judicial release. On Feb. 14, Galion Police contacted Bohach saying they had received a call and found Craner standing in the middle of the road; apparently under the influence of something. A search of Craner revealed K-2 (synthetic marijuana) and Ritalin in pill form in a baggie in his pocket.
Bohach administered a test to Craner at the jail and the test came back negative for any drugs.
When questioned by Bohach, Craner said he hadn’t had a chance to smoke the K-2.
Starkey cross-examined Bohach and asserted that there were no tests done on the K-2. Bohach agreed to the fact that he did not know of any tests performed by Galion Police. Bohach testified that Craner implied that he was in possession of K-2 because he admitted he hadn’t had a chance to smoke it. Ritalin was identified by Galion Police.
Starkey contended that the substance in the bag could have been cooking spices; there was no way to prove otherwise.
In his decision, Leuthold concluded that there was not enough evidence to prove that Craner had a substance that was K-2, so the motion that Craner violated his Community Control on the K-2 was denied.
Leuthold addressed the Ritalin and determined it was identified and Craner did not have a prescription for the drug. On that basis, Craner was found to have violated his community control by possessing the Ritalin.
In an agreed plea deal, Craner was sentenced to six months in prison for the possession of Ritalin, and the remaining 17 months of his prison sentence was imposed. One misdemeanor charge was dismissed.
In a statement to the court, Craner thanked Eric Bohach for helping him. He said he hoped by going back into prison and into recovery he will be able to change his life.
Leuthold wished Craner well and told him the court appreciated his demeanor and candor in court.