By Gary Ogle
gogle@wbcowqel.com
A 33-year-old Galion man saw both the punitive and rehabilitative side of the local justice system on Wednesday when he pleaded guilty to felony 5 theft.
Brian Byers was sentenced to eight months in prison on the theft charge with no fine imposed. As part of the plea arrangement, a felony 5 charge of receiving stolen property and five misdemeanor 1 charges were all dismissed.
Byers was sentenced to one year in prison in 2012 following a conviction on third-degree felony charges. However, Judge Sean Leuthold took time during the sentencing portion of Wednesday’s hearing to reach out to Byers.
Saying that he found Byers to be a likable person in spite of his felony record, the judge challenged Byers to get back in touch with him upon his release from prison. The judge promised Byers he would personally do what he could to help him find employment through the Crawford Works program and receive counseling through Maryhaven.
Leuthold told Byers he had made the same offer on four previous occasions.
“You know how many I’ve heard from after they were released?” the judge asked before answering his own question. “None. Why don’t you be the first?”
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Thirty-seven-year-old Daniel Donohue of Galion pleaded guilty to felony drug possession charges as a first-time felony offender. Noting the amount of heroin involved, the judge made it apparent he was frustrated at the law that made Donohue not prison eligible in those circumstances.
However, as part of the plea arrangement with the Prosecutor’s Office, Donohue will spend 100 days in jail.
Following a presentence investigation, the recommended sentence for Donohue is five years on community control and a $2,500 fine.