By Krystal Smalley
ksmalley@wbcowqel.com
Clifford Daugherty opted to take a prison sentence in order to remove easy temptation from his grasp.
The 50-year-old Galion pleaded guilty to operating a vehicle under the influence, a fourth-degree felony, in Crawford County Common Pleas Court Wednesday afternoon. He received nine months in prison, a 10-year driver’s license suspension, and must pay a $5,000 fine.
“You’re too damn old to be doing this. If you want to drink yourself to death, that’s your decision,” Judge Sean Leuthold said. “When you drive, if you commit a crime, get the police involved, that’s not your business anymore. It’s mine.”
Daugherty took his punishment without protest and admitted why he agreed to a prison sentence.
“Part of the reason I’m taking the nine months is to put me in the place where I can’t drink,” he said.
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The judge not known for his softness bent a little when it came to Charles Edwards.
Edwards, a 31-year-old Clyde man, pleaded guilty to improperly handling a firearm, a fourth-degree felony. His sentence included five years on community control, entrance into a treatment program, and forfeiture of a 9mm semi-automatic handgun, but Edwards’ attorney, Geoffrey Stoll argued against a 60-day jail sentence. Stoll stated that Edwards had a job and kids, and was unlikely to return to Crawford County.
“What the hell are you doing?” Leuthold asked Edwards. “If you’re in such a situation where there’s no one to take care of your daughter but you, why are you doing this?”
The judge hoped this would be a wakeup call for Edwards. Leuthold chose to withhold sending Edwards to jail, but warned the defendant he would send him to prison if Edwards got in trouble again.
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Twenty-four-year-old Joshua Protzman pleaded guilty to heroin possession, a fifth-degree felony. He was placed on community control for five years, fined $1,250, and ordered to enter a drug treatment program.
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Jarell Walker made a return to Crawford County, but probably not for the reason he was hoping. Walker, who was sentenced to 11 years in prison in 2015 for drug possession, filed numerous appeals with the Court of Appeals of Ohio, which overruled all claims but one. That one claim, which dealt with post-release control, required Walker be brought before Leuthold.
Post-release control, a form of probation by the Adult Parole Authority, will apply only if Walker completes his entire 11-year prison sentence, but Leuthold is required by law to inform defendants verbally and in their sentencing agreement of the chance they could be placed on it.
Leuthold went through the minutia of post-release control and suggested Walker start thinking about his life after prison, especially if he is ever granted judicial release.
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