By Krystal Smalley
ksmalley@wbcowqel.com
An Indiana man will not be getting a second chance in Crawford County.
Christopher Owens, a 44-year-old Grovertown, Indiana man, appeared in Crawford County Common Pleas Court Monday morning for sentencing on a felony three driving under the influence charge. Owens had previously pleaded guilty to the charge in September and was awaiting a pre-sentence investigation.
“My client does not have the best record,” stated Owens’ attorney Grant Garverick. Though Owens hadn’t committed an offense since 1998, Garverick admitted that his client showed a “serious lack of judgment.”
“Through all of this, I’m greatly sorry for what I’ve done,” Owens told Judge Russell Wiseman. “I just want to get back to my family.”
Assistant prosecutor Ryan Hoovler showed little sympathy for Owens’ plea, however. In light of Owens having an alcohol level four times that of the legal limit as well as having an open container and a 30-pack of beer in the cab of his semi tractor-trailer, Hoovler recommended a four-year prison sentence, a $10,000 fine, and a lifetime driver’s license suspension.
“I am concerned,” Wiseman said after a moment of consideration, “that you do not think you have a problem.”
“You didn’t just make a mistake. You consciously broke the rules and you have done it repeatedly over the years,” he added.
Wiseman ordered Owens to serve four years in prison and pay a $5,000 fine. He also received a lifetime driver’s license suspension.
Dustin Javens may have pleaded guilty but the sentencing for his crimes is on hold.
The 29-year-old Bucyrus man pleaded guilty to a second-degree drug possession charge. He admitted to possessing heroin in amounts greater than 100 doses or 10 grams on Feb. 12.
Javens will return to Common Pleas Court at a later date for sentencing after a pre-sentence investigation has been completed. His bond was continued.
Jason Utz is a familiar face for Judge Wiseman but Wiseman did not find it easy to decide Utz’s fate after seeing him in the court system for most of Utz’s life.
Utz, a 41-year-old Bucyrus man, reappeared in Common Pleas Court two months ago for community control violations. Utz had served time in 2012 for duty to register and drug possession but was granted judicial release in April of 2013. He had violated the terms of his community control when he was charged with disorderly conduct, criminal damaging, possession of drug paraphernalia, and testing positive for cocaine.
“Being a bad guy doesn’t suit you. Find something you’re good at,” Wiseman recommended to Utz. “You’ve got to step up.”
Despite some misgivings, Wiseman ordered Utz to be continued on probation, though that sentence was extended to five years.
“If you show your face here other than to wish me happy birthday, you’re going to prison,” Wiseman warned. “If he jaywalks, I want to know about it.”
Twenty-one-year-old Anastasia Ely of Bucyrus pleaded guilty to drug possession, a fifth-degree felony. Ely admitted to possession heroin on Aug. 5.
Ely was sentenced to five years of community control with the stipulation that she undergo a drug and alcohol assessment and any recommended follow-up treatment. Her driver’s license was suspended for six months. Ely must also pay a $1,250 mandatory drug fine and forfeit any drug-related property being held by the Bucyrus Police Department.
Thirty-nine-year-old Christina Blackert of Bucyrus admitted to failing to comply with her substance abuse counseling. Blackert, who had originally pleaded guilty on two counts of driving under the influence in 2012, waived her right to counsel. She was continued on community control.
Monday was an extremely busy morning in the Crawford County Common Pleas Court when it came time to arraign 13 people.
Those who were arraigned and pleaded not guilty included: Jarell Walker for drug possession, obstruction, possession of drug paraphernalia, stop sign violation ($1.5 million bond); Keith Williams for possession of a controlled substance ($1 million bond); Heather Grasley for drug possession ($1 million bond); Kenneth Lowe assault on officer ($150,000 bond); Tyler McKee for breaking and entering ($50,000 bond); Ross Craner for disorderly conduct ($50,000 bond); Leeann Dalton for drug possession ($25,000); Cody Cottrell for failure to comply ($25,000 bond already posted); and Brad Tanner for forgery ($5,000 bond).
Personal recognizance bonds were handed out to Justin Carroll (drug possession), Matthew Maag (drug possession), and Heather Trummell (drug possession).