By Krystal Smalley and Jordan Studer
ksmalley@wbcowqel.com
It may have been a light day in terms of prison sentences handed out but Judge Sean Leuthold didn’t make it any easier for the defendants to get out of the county jail.
Christine Stevens pleaded guilty to drug possession, a fifth-degree felony, and sentenced to eight months in prison with credit for time served.
The 23-year-old Bucyrus woman also had her driver’s license suspended for six months, ordered to pay a $2,500 mandatory drug fine, and must forfeit drug-related property to the Bucyrus Police Department.
Nicole Whitmore, 30, may have avoided a prison sentence but her actions wouldn’t allow her to sidestep two felonies on her record.
Whitmore pleaded guilty to theft in Common Pleas Court Wednesday afternoon and admitted to violating her intervention program on a 2013 case. Judge Sean Leuthold will place Whitmore on community control for five years for the theft charge, fine her $750, and order her to complete a drug and alcohol treatment program after a pre-sentence investigation is completed. Whitmore will also have to pay $1,250 in restitution to the victim in the case.
“Clearly, in my opinion, you’ve taken advantage of it (the judicial system),” Leuthold told Whitmore.
Whitmore admitted to violating her intervention program after being convicted of a new crime and for failing to pay off restitution in the 2013 forgery case. Leuthold accepted Whitmore’s guilty plea.
Though things went smoothly as Judge Sean Leuthold sentenced Madeline Crow, it wasn’t until the issue of bond came up that things became rocky.
Crow pleaded guilty to a bill of information for possession of heroin in Crawford County Common Pleas Court Wednesday morning. Her recommended sentence included five years on community control, entrance into a drug and alcohol treatment program, a $1,750 mandatory drug fine, and a six month license suspension. Crow must also forfeit drug-related property to the Bucyrus Police Department. If Crow fails on community control she could face an 18-month prison sentence.
Assistant prosecutor Ryan Hoovler asked that Crow’s $100,000 bond be continued in light of the defendant’s past heroin use.
“I think it would be dangerous at this time to release the defendant . . . use is highly anticipated,” Hoovler argued.
Defense attorney Brian Gernert contended that Crow would have a community support system in place if his client was released on a personal recognizance bond. He added that the syringe found in her possession had actually been in her co-defendant’s coat.
“I can’t give you any more than community control,” Leuthold told Crow. “I personally think going on community control will be a disaster.”
Leuthold believed it was the height of irresponsibility to release Crow on a personal recognizance bond and argued that he was confident she would go right back to using heroin.
“I’m not sure how I’m going to handle this at sentencing but turning you loose is a terrible idea,” Leuthold told Crow.
Leuthold ordered bond set at $150,000 and ordered a pre-sentence investigation to be completed before he sentenced Crow.
Melinda Perkins, 23, of Bucyrus pleaded guilty to theft, a fourth-degree felony. Leuthold ordered a pre-sentence investigation but a five-year community control sentence has been recommended to the judge along with drug and alcohol treatment and a $750 fine.
Leuthold decided to err on the side of caution and continued Perkins’ $50,000 bond while the investigation is completed.
Twenty-one-year-old Trisha Lewis of Bucyrus pleaded guilty to fifth-degree felony drug possession. As part of her recommended sentence, Lewis would be placed on community control for five years. She must enter a drug and alcohol treatment program, pay a $1,250 mandatory drug fine, and forfeit drug-related property to the Galion Police Department. Lewis’ driver’s license was suspended for six months.
Leuthold ordered a pre-sentence investigation to be completed and continued bond.
Thirty-four-year-old Tabatha Roberts of Galion appeared in Crawford County Common Pleas Court to answer for allegedly violating the terms of her intervention.
Roberts was placed on intervention on Dec. 19, 2013 after entering a guilty plea to drug possession.
Roberts allegedly possessed drug paraphernalia and heroin and admitted to using marijuana on May 7. She also possessed heroin on May 28 and has failed to comply with her substance abuse treatment program since her sentencing.
Hoovler also stated that Roberts has two additional felony charges pending.
“Obviously, she is involved in the use of heroin and possession of heroin,” Hoovler said as he requested a $100,000 bond.
Judge Leuthold, however, set bond at $200,000 and appointed Tim O’Leary as her counsel.
Twenty-seven-year-old Brandon Reinhart of Galion was brought in front of Judge Leuthold early Wednesday afternoon. He was faced with a charge of felony four domestic violence and, without an argument, Reinhart was quick to plead guilty.
Judge Leuthold then ordered that a pre-sentence investigation should be completed. It was agreed that the bond that should be continued and a sentencing hearing set at a later date.
Reinhart’s recommended sentence was 90 days in the county jail and five years of community control. He must also be enrolled in an anger management program and pay a $1,250 fine.