By Kathy Laird
Several defendants, some in person and some via video arraignments, appeared before Crawford County Common Pleas Court Judge Sean Leuthold.
David P. Vreeland, 50, of Marion appeared on video from the Crawford County Sherriff’s Office to answer to a two-count indictment. Vreeland is accused of rape, a first-degree felony. It is alleged that Vreeland knowingly engaged in sexual conduct with an eight-year-old girl. The second count is gross sexual imposition with a 13-year-old.
Leuthold acknowledged that family members of the victim were present in the courtroom and advised them of some of the difficult language he had to use when reading the charges to Vreeland. Leuthold explained to Vreeland that under special conditions regarding the eight-year-old victim, he could be sentenced to life without parole, 25 years to life if force is found, and 15 years to life, otherwise. Bond was set at $1 million and attorney Andrew Motter was appointed to represent Vreeland. Leuthold requested a pretrial be scheduled for this week if possible.
Facing a six-count indictment, Heather A. Grasley, 30, of Bucyrus was charged with engaging in a pattern of corrupt behavior, a second-degree felony. She was arrested during a drug raid conducted at 409 West Mansfield Street on Sept. 21. Count two of her indictment alleges that she was in possession of heroin that exceeded 10 doses but was less than 50 doses. Count three alleges Grasley knowingly sold or offered to sell heroin in the amount equal to 10 doses but less than 50 doeses. Count four charges Grasley with tampering with evidence, a third-degree felony, as well as two misdemeanor offenses of possession of drug paraphernalia (pipes) and possession of drug abuse instruments (syringe). Bond was set at $750,000 and attorney Brad Starkey was appointed to represent her.
A co-defendant, Joseph P. Grasley, 26, who lived with Heather Grasley, faces a seven-count indictment for engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity, a second-degree felony, possession of drugs, trafficking in drugs (offering to sell heroin), a fourth-degree felony, tampering with evidence, a third-degree felony and two misdemeanor charges of drug paraphernalia (pipes) and possession of drug abuse instruments (syringe). Due to his past criminal activities Leuthold set bond at $850,000 and appointed attorney Andrew Motter to represent Grasley.
The final co-defendant, Joseph Phillips, 31, who lived with Joseph and Heather Grasley, faced a six-count indictment that included one count of pattern of corrupt activity, second-degree felony, punishable with up to eight years in prison, possession of drugs (heroin in more than 10 doses but less than 50 doses), trafficking in heroin, tampering with evidence, a third-degree felony, drug paraphernalia and possession of drug abuse instruments (pipe). Bond was set at $750,000 and attorney Joel Spitzer was appointed to defend him.
Mikel J. Knetter found himself facing a 16-count indictment for the burglary of a Nazor Rd. residence in Bucyrus. The burglary is a second-degree felony and the other 15 counts are each third-degree felonies. Knetter was charged with a separate felony for each firearm he stole in the burglary. His bond was set at $500,000 and attorney Tom Nicholson was appointed to represent him.
Shawnda L. Sexton, 29, of Bucyrus faces six separate counts in an indictment rendered by the September Grand Jury. The three fourth-degree felonies are all trafficking in drugs, which include the preparation for shipment, transport, deliver or distribution of methamphetamines. She faces two counts of possession of drugs, a fifth-degree felony, possessing Diazepam and methamphetamines. The last count alleges Sexton was in possession of a pipe and scales with the intent to use. Possession of drug paraphernalia is a fourth-degree misdemeanor. Bond was set at $150,000 and Adam Stone was appointed to represent Sexton.