BUCYRUS — Derek Snyder of Galion appeared in Crawford County Common Pleas Court Wednesday to change his plea on a 20-count indictment.
The indictment included several counts of theft, each fifth-degree penalties punishable with up to 12 months on each count, one count of theft, a third-degree felony punishable with up to 36 months in prison, one count of having weapons under disability and one count of possession of drugs, fifth-degree felonies punishable with up to 12 months in prison.
In a plea negotiation, Snyder, 31, was sentenced to 96 months in prison. Common Pleas Court Judge Sean Leuthold took a brief recess to certify the calculations, noting the charges were very difficult to figure out for sentencing.
“What we have here is a one-man crime spree. He was running around robbing, stealing and using drugs,” Leuthold said. “There are multiple victims in this case. This will be his third time in prison. I have to protect the people. If I’d have given him a lesser sentence than this eight years ago, I wouldn’t be doing my job.”
Dan Howell, 55, of Bucyrus, who was on a personal recognizance bond appeared to ask for a new attorney. Leuthold had placed Howell on a personal recognizance bond after he was indicted on one count of obstructing justice a fourth-degree felony punishable with up to 18 months in prison.
Since Howell was on bond, he was drug tested before his hearing. He tested positive for methamphetamines and marijuana. Leuthold ordered Howell taken into custody.
“Everyone makes a mistake, and this time I did,” Leuthold said.
Bond was set at $50,000 for Howell and Leuthold appointed attorney Brian Gernert to represent him.
Michael Esno, 39, currently serving a prison sentence in Grafton came back to Bucyrus to answer for a charge of trafficking, a fifth-degree felony punishable with up to 12 months in prison. Leuthold ordered the additional 12 months added onto his current sentence.
“Look, I took no pleasure in sending you to prison but I must say you look great,” Leuthold said. “Your eyes are clear, and I can see you are doing well. Keep up the good work.”