BUCYRUS — Just days before his trial was to begin, Jeremy Lewis, 43, of Bucyrus agreed to a plea negotiation made possible by the efforts of Assistant Prosecutor Ryan Hoovler and defense attorney Tom Nicholson.
Lewis faced a first-degree felony of kidnapping, four counts of felonious assault — all second-degree felonies, one count of burglary, also a second-degree felony, and domestic violence, a four-degree felony. If convicted by a jury, Lewis faced more than 50 years in prison.
In the plea agreement, Lewis pleaded guilty to two charges of felonious assault. All the remaining charges and a new charge were dismissed by the state in exchange for Lewis’ guilty plea.
Judge Sean Leuthold sentenced Lewis to the maximum sentence of each count — eight years — for a total of 16 years in prison. Leuthold then asked Lewis if he had anything he wanted to say.
“I apologize to the court for taking so much time and I apologize to the victims. I’m sorry,” Lewis said. “After this is over, I hope to live a productive life.”
In an earlier comment to Crawford County Now Lewis said: “I’m remorseful for what I’ve done.”
Leuthold told Lewis that he believed he was not sober when he committed the crimes, noting his irrational behavior. Leuthold said he believed Lewis lost his temper and alcohol contributed to that. Lewis admitted to the judge that he was drinking heavily at the time.
“I cannot tolerate this behavior,” Leuthold said. “Let me put it this way: When you do bad things to people out there, bad things happen to you in here.”
Lewis was ordered to have no contact with either of his victims.
Danny Loftis, 41, of Bucyrus will spend the next 24 months in prison. He was sentenced on two counts including drug possession and misuse of credit cards. He was ordered to pay $2417.40 in restitution to the victim. Leuthold said he would not oppose transitional control in the future.
Tyler Owens, 27, currently an inmate at Lorain Correctional Institution was sentenced to an additional four years and 11 months. He pleaded guilty to burglary and receiving stolen property. Judge Leuthold noted that Owens was looking healthier than the last time he had seen him.
“You don’t seem like a terrible person,” Leuthold said. “But know this: If you come out and get back into this I’m going to send you right back to prison.”
In what Leuthold called a sad day, Michael Music, 24, was returned to prison. Music was on judicial release when he violated the terms and conditions of his community control. According to probation officer Mark Alspach, Music tested positive on a random drug screen for marijuana, meth and methamphetamines.
“I didn’t want to send you back to prison,” Leuthold said. “You messed up judicial release. I hate to see this happen, but I cannot let this slide.”
Leuthold commended Music’s attorney, Brad Starkey, saying that he fought hard for his client to receive an opportunity at transitional control in the future.
“Normally I oppose transitional control on this kind of case, but your attorney convinced me to give you that shot down the road. Come out and do better,” Leuthold said.
Gary Fogle, 49, of Bucyrus was sentenced to 18 months in prison on a felony charge of driving under the influence of alcohol. Judge Leuthold again commended attorney Brad Starkey.
“I was going to put you in prison and forget about you,” Leuthold said. “Mr. Starkey is an excellent lawyer and convinced me to look at a potential early release down the road.”
Fogle’s driver’s license was suspended for ten years. Leuthold did indicate that if he would review that ruling in five years.