BUCYRUS—Simon Singer, 45, currently incarcerated in the Crawford County Jail, appeared in Crawford County Common Pleas Court on Wednesday for a final pre-trial.
Singer was originally charged with one count of possession of drugs, a felony of the second degree punishable with up to 8 years in prison, and an additional count of possession of drugs, a felony of the fifth degree punishable with up to 12 months in prison.
Assistant Prosecutor Ryan Hoovler told the court he had offered Singer a plea negotiation that included a reduction of the felony of the second degree down to a third-degree felony punishable with 36 months in prison and a flat-six months in prison on the fifth-degree felony.
Singer’s attorney, Andrew Motter, told the court his client wanted instead to proceed to trial.
Crawford County Common Pleas Court Judge Sean Leuthold explained to Singer that his trial date, while originally set for May 20th, could be delayed. Singer agreed.
Jody Dailey, 48, of Galion, pleaded guilty to violating the terms and conditions of his community control.
In July, Dailey was placed on community control after he pleaded guilty to one count of improper handling of a firearm in a motor vehicle, a fourth-degree felony punishable with up to 18 months in prison.
According to probation officer Kylie Sinclair, Dailey tested positive for fentanyl after a drug test in April.
In an agreed sentence recommendation, Judge Leuthold continued Dailey’s community control but added a sanction of thirty days in the Crawford County Jail.
“You cannot continue to do drugs while on community control. I am going to give you a second chance but I won’t tolerate it again.” Leuthold said.
Due to COVID restrictions, Dailey was given a report date of June 4th, 2021, at 7 pm.
Tyler Stepp, 26, of Crestline, appeared for an arraignment and bond hearing.
Stepp is charged with one count of possession of drugs (600 grams), a felony of the third degree punishable with up to 36 months in prison.
Assistant Prosecutor Ryan Hoovler asked the court to hold Stepp on a $100,000.00 bond. Hoovler told the court that evidence will show Stepp confessed to the crime. He also noted that Stepp spent 18 months in prison after a 2019 conviction. He also said Stepp had two previous charges of failure to appear, making him a flight risk.
Step’s attorney Tom Nicholson told the court the bond was excessive. He said his client was a passenger in a car where drugs were found hidden in an eyeglass case. He told the court his client does not own or wear glasses.
After reviewing bond guidelines and Step’s criminal history, Judge Leuthold ordered bond to be set at $75,000.00.