BUCYRUS — Before starting proceedings in Crawford County Common Pleas Court on Wednesday afternoon, Judge Sean Leuthold said he wanted to address rumors circulating around the jail.
“I don’t want anyone to misunderstand. It’s full speed ahead here in Crawford County,” Leuthold said. “We will not excuse bad behavior. We will not let everyone out of jail. We will not give violators chance after chance because of the coronavirus. That’s not going to happen in Crawford County. People will be arrested. People will be tried. People will go to jail. This is not going to become a free for all here.”
In court action, Craig Bevans, 23, of Sidney pleaded guilty to violating the terms and conditions of his community control. Bevans was placed on community control in May after he pleaded guilty to one count of possession of drugs, a fifth-degree felony punishable with up to one year in prison.
Bevans admitted to failing to report for office visits since July, operating a motor vehicle without a valid license and changing his address without informing his supervising officer. He also tested positive for meth.
In a plea negotiation, Bevans was sentenced to a flat seven months in prison. He will receive 45 days of jail time credit. Leuthold said he would not oppose transitional control if the prison requested it. Bevans apologized to the court for not following the rules.
Amanda Bowling, 33, of Big Prairie appeared in court to answer charges she violated the terms and conditions of her community control. Bowling was placed on community control on March 23 after she pleaded guilty to one count of possession of drugs, a fifth-degree felony punishable with up to one year in prison.
According to allegations, on March 31, Bowling tested positive for meth and methamphetamines.
Leuthold ordered Bowling held on a $50,000 bond and scheduled a full hearing on the violations. Attorney Edwin Bibler was appointed to represent Bowling.
Another misinformed defendant decided he would go to trial. Gary Gallant, 49, of Bucyrus told the court he wanted to go to trial but thought that due to the virus there would be no juries seated. He told the court he had decided to take a plea because he didn’t want to wait it out.
“Mr. Gallant, if you want a trial that is your constitutional right. There will be a jury here,” Leuthold said. “You will have a trial.”
Gallant then refused to waive his right to a speedy trial and turned down a plea offer of a flat six months in prison. Gallant is charged with possession of drugs, a fifth-degree felony punishable with up to one year in prison.
Gallant’s attorney, Andrew Motter, made a motion to the court for Gallant to be released on a personal recognizance bond.
“With the coronavirus rampant in other facilities and social distancing being a problem, I feel a PR bond or home arrest with a bracelet would be safer,” Motter said. “This is a low-grade crime. My client has lived here his entire life and there is no reason to believe he would not appear for trial.”
Assistant Prosecutor Ryan Hoovler responded to the request.
“I would like to remind the court of why we asked for a $50,000 bond. In the first place, Mr. Gallant was born in 1971 and is not of the age at most risk regarding the virus,” Hoovler said. “In 2015, Mr. Gallant spent one year and three months in prison for trafficking in drugs, six months for breaking and entering, and in 1998 he spent four years in prison for receiving stolen property. He was allegedly arrested after he made a trip to Mansfield to buy heroin and admitted to snorting it on the way back to Bucyrus. To protect him and others from his drug abuse, I believe a $50,000 bond is appropriate.”
Gallant asked permission to speak to the court. He explained that he heard from the inmates and others that trials were stopped. He said he wanted to fight the case and prove his innocence. He said his wife had back surgery recently. He told the court he works on Harley Davidson motorcycles and several are in his garage waiting to be fixed.
“Look Gary, you’re a likeable guy but you have a terrible record. If I thought for one moment you would leave here, go home and take care of your wife, I’d consider that,” Leuthold said. “But I don’t want to see you get into even more trouble. Bond will remain at $50,000. You will get your trial before May 10. That will conclude the matter.”