BUCYRUS — David Peters of Galion appeared in Crawford County Common Pleas Court to plead guilty to arson, a first-degree felony punishable by up to 11 years in prison. Peters is the owner of a home that was set on fire in Galion. His co-defendants were sentenced earlier this year.
Peters, 71, received four years in prison for his role in the arson. Before sentencing, Judge Sean Leuthold asked his attorney, Joel Spitzer, if he wanted to make a comment. Spitzer told the court that his client had no criminal record.
“He was so guilty that he ultimately turned himself in and notified his insurance company before they paid a claim,” Spitzer said.
When asked if he had any comments, Peters rose before the court.
“I made it 71 years with no criminal record. I was not raised this way,” Peters said. “I have brought shame on my family, my friends and my church.”
“I know you were under some financial stress. You got caught up with a middleman that I don’t think you would have ever been associated with if you hadn’t confided to someone that you had this thought,” Leuthold said. “These criminal conspiracies never work out. You got a hold of a maniac who had a murder conviction in his past. We are lucky he didn’t do more damage. That’s why I sentenced him to 10 years in prison. I don’t’ think you intended harm, but you set things in motion and you got caught up in a criminal conspiracy.”
Peters will have to register as an arson offender for the rest of his life. He will have to report annually in whatever county he is residing. He must provide copies of all identification he possesses, all driver’s licenses or CDL licenses, license plate number, current photos, a complete description of any distinguishing marks on his body including tattoos and piercings. If he fails to comply with those conditions he can be charged with a new crime.
“I don’t think the maximum sentence in this case was appropriate. If you come up for judicial release, I will look kindly on granting it,” Leuthold said.
In other court action, Ian Webb, 19, of Bucyrus appeared to answer to charges of violating the terms and conditions of his community control. In August 2018 Webb pleaded guilty to one count of possession of drugs, a fifth-degree felony punishable with up to 12 months in prison and two misdemeanor violations of criminal trespass and drug paraphernalia.
According to Probation Officer Eric Bohach, Webb failed to report for his office visit on February 20 and admitted to using Percocet.
Leuthold told Webb, “Normally I would ask a defendant where he’d been during his hiatus, but you let everyone know what you thought of the court, the probation department and the sheriff’s department. Mr. Bohach, tell me what Mr. Webb thought about us.”
Bohach told the court that Webb had posted on Facebook many vulgar comments about the probation department and the court. In one post, Webb said he was going to make us earn our money and run him down. Webb was arrested as a result of a tip after Bohach submitted his picture to local media trying to locate him.
Webb spoke up in court and said, “It was just a joke and I’m sorry.”
“I don’t find this funny at all. You’re telling the court and law enforcement to ‘F’ themselves. That’s not funny,” Leuthold said.
Leuthold appointed Brian Gernert to represent Webb and entered a not guilty plea on his behalf. He asked assistant prosecutor Ryan Hoovler his thought on bail.
“Well, your honor, he was on the run for two months and admitted using drugs,” Hoovler said. “To protect himself and the community from his drug abuse, the state would ask for a $150,000 bond.”
“You know what Mr. Hoovler, I don’t find that funny enough. I think a bond of $200,000 will be funny enough,” Leuthold said. I’m going back to my chambers and have a laugh about this. Get him out of here.”
It was reported back to the court that Webb became physically ill when returned to his holding cell at the court house.