Man changes plea, sentenced to 48 months prison

BUCYRUS — Joseph Lewis of Bucyrus appeared in Crawford County Common Pleas Court on Wednesday to change his plea.

Lewis, 34, pleaded guilty to four felony counts including two counts of possession of drugs, one count of trafficking in drugs and one count of trafficking a counterfeit substance. Each count carries up 12 months in prison.

Common Pleas Court Judge Sean Leuthold gave Lewis the maximum on each count for a total of 48 months in prison with the possibility of a future judicial release. Lewis will receive credit for jail time served.

In other court news, Lenny Lewis, 52, address unknown, was sentenced to 18 months in prison after he pleaded guilty to theft, a fourth-degree felony punishable with up to 18 months in prison. He will receive 36 days credit for jail time served.

Dusten Hunt, 31, of Bucyrus will spend the next 12 months in jail after he pleaded guilty to receiving stolen property and theft, each fifth-degree felonies punishable by up to 12 months in prison.

Leuthold accepted a plea agreement and sentenced Hunt to 6 months on each count for a total of 12 months in prison. He was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $150 to the victim. Hunt will receive 39 days of jail time credit. Leuthold said he would not oppose transitional control.

Michael Knetter, 42, of Bucyrus was placed on five years of community control after he pleaded guilty to felony domestic violence, a third-degree felony punishable with up to 36 months in prison.

Leuthold said he reviewed the details of the case very carefully. He also sought counsel from the state and the probation department. Leuthold noted that the victim’s injuries were minor, and that the victim’s drug abuse may have contributed to the altercation.

“I would normally send you right to prison but having viewed the details as presented to the court I am going to grant you five years of community control,” Leuthold said. “If you violate the terms and conditions of your community control, I will send you to prison for three years. You’re on thin ice here. Behave yourself and thank Mr. Heydinger who went to bat for you.”