BUCYRUS — Russell Gardner of Galion appeared in Crawford County Common Pleas Court on Monday. Gardner, 61, pleaded guilty to one count of aggravated possession of drugs, a third-degree felony punishable with up to three years in prison. A first-degree misdemeanor was dismissed.
In a plea negotiation, Gardner will spend a flat one year in prison. Common Pleas Court Judge Sean Leuthold allowed the negotiation. Gardner is healing a broken leg. With that in mind, Leuthold gave him until June 4 at 7 a.m. to report to the Crawford County Justice Center for transport to prison. Gardner was also fined $5000 but will receive four days of jail time credit. Leuthold told Gardner that if the prison asked for transitional control, he would not oppose it.
In other court action, Larry Kelly, 31, of Galion pleaded guilty to one count of trespassing, a fourth-degree felony punishable with up to 18 months in prison. As the result of a plea negation, Leuthold sentenced Kelly to five years on community control.
Kelly was ordered to pay the costs of his supervision. If he fails to successfully complete community control, he faces 18 months in prison.