BUCYRUS—Amber Foreman, 27, of Bucyrus, who was indicted last week on one count of assault, a felony of the fourth degree punishable with up to 18 months in prison, was back in court on Monday for a reconsideration of bond.
Crawford County Common Pleas Court Judge Sean Leuthold had Foreman held over the weekend for her own safety. Foreman, who suffers from mental illness, told the court she had been off her medication when she assaulted an officer by biting him while she was resisting arrest.
Foreman, who was under an order of protection, was sitting on a bench outside Dollar General when her victim pulled into the parking lot. The victim called the police. Foreman told the police she shouldn’t have to leave because she was there first.
As promised, Judge Leuthold had Foreman and her attorney Brian Gernert appear for another bond hearing. Gernert told the court that Foreman could get back into counseling immediately and back on her medication as well. She will be living with a family member. He asked the court for a personal recognizance bond.
Assistant Prosecutor Ryan Hoovler said that he had no objection to the bond as long as there was a regiment of testing. He also asked for immediate assessments for drugs, alcohol, and mental health.
Judge Leuthold agreed to allow Foreman a personal recognizance bond with some strict conditions. She will be under house arrest, must complete drug, alcohol, and mental health assessments and follow-up treatments, and she must report weekly for testing.
“I want to be clear. If you are in a store in line to check out and the victim walks in, it is your responsibility to put your items away and walk out. Do you understand? I was here first is not a defense. I don’t want any more issues about complying with this. If you cannot meet these conditions, then I’ll have to re-evaluate whether or not to let you out of jail,” Leuthold said.
Justin Scenters, 35, of Bucyrus, pleaded guilty to two counts of violating a protection order, each fifth-degree felonies and each punishable with up to 12 months in prison.
In an agreed plea negotiation, Judge Leuthold sentenced Scenters to five years on community control. He was ordered to get drug, alcohol, and domestic violence assessments and any follow-up treatment. He is to have no contact with the victim.
In other court news, Toi Perkins, 33, of Marion, has been on judicial release from prison and was being supervised by probation officers in Marion since April. Perkins had been sentenced to ten years in prison in 2014.
According to probation officer Chris Heydinger, while under supervision in Marion, Perkins failed three drug screens and failed to report for office visits. When arrested and tested in Crawford County, he tested positive for cocaine, THC, marijuana, and oxycodone.
Judge Leuthold entered a not guilty plea on Perkins’ behalf and ordered the matter set for a full hearing. He appointed attorney Jerry Thompson to represent Perkins.
Due to the serious nature of the original charge of a home invasion with a weapon involved, Judge Leuthold set bond at $75,000.00.