BUCYRUS, OH (CRAWFORD COUNTY NOW)—Miranda Jones, 44, of Plain City, Ohio, appeared Wednesday afternoon in Crawford County Common Pleas Court for a change of plea hearing and sentencing related to financial crimes.
Jones, the former Galion/Crestline Chamber of Commerce Director, entered guilty pleas to four felony counts: engaging in a pattern of corrupt behavior, identity fraud, telecommunications fraud, and forgery. The case followed an investigation that spanned nearly two years.
The prosecution was handled by Special Prosecutor Samuel J. Kirk III. Jones was represented by Mansfield attorney Cassandra Mayer.
During the proceedings, Common Pleas Court Judge Sean Leuthold noted for the record that Jones had made full restitution totaling $64,007.39 to the Chamber of Commerce, as well as additional payments to the Ohio Auditor of State to cover forensic auditing costs.
Judge Leuthold acknowledged the restitution but emphasized that repayment does not account for the time invested and stress visited on the Chamber throughout the prosecution. Addressing representatives of the Chamber, the court recognized the broader impact of the case beyond financial losses.
Matt Horn, speaking on behalf of the Chamber, told the court that the organization had placed significant trust in Jones and had considered her a friend.
In addressing the victims, Judge Leuthold stated, “This is not your fault. There is nothing wrong with trusting people. Every now and then we trust the wrong person. That doesn’t make you a bad guy. That makes the defendant the bad guy,” Leuthold said.
Adding that having the money returned should bring some peace to the organization, Leuthold warned them to do a background check on potential employees in the future.
When it was her turn to address the court, a tearful Jones told the victims: “I am so sorry. I pray every day that someday you will all be able to forgive me.”
Jones told the court that she suffered from a mental health crisis during the time she committed the crimes.
Jones was unable to give Judge Leuthold a concrete answer when he asked her what she did with the money. Leuthold gave Jones a stern warning: “Don’t put yourself in this position again. You have issues with money. If you hadn’t paid this money back, I was going to give you ten years in prison.” Leuthold said.
Judge Leuthold sentenced Jones to four years in prison on the second degree felony of engaging in a pattern of corrupt behavior. He then sentenced her to 36 months in prison for the identity fraud, 18 months in prison for the telecommunications fraud, and 12 months on the for the forgery charge. The last three sentences will run concurrent to the four-year sentence for a total of four years in prison.
Jones will receive 137 days of jail time credit.