BUCYRUS — Tracy Tuttle of Willard appeared in Crawford County Common Pleas court on Wednesday with her attorney Sebastian Berger.
Tuttle, 46, pleaded guilty to aggravated arson for her part in a fire that was set at her boyfriend’s home at 746 Boyd Ave. in Galion. She was facing up to eight years in prison for the second-degree felony.
Common Pleas Court Judge Sean Leuthold sentenced Tuttle to four years in prison for the arson and she will have register as an arson offender for life. Tuttle will be required to report her address, employment, copies of any driver’s licenses and report identifying tattoos, piercings and other marks on her body.
In other court action, Amber Booher of Defiance was arraigned in Common Pleas Court on charges of theft from an elderly victim, a fourth-degree felony punishable with up to 18 months in prison, receiving stolen property, a fifth-degree felony, punishable with up to 12 months in prison and misuse of a credit card, punishable with up to 60 days in jail.
Booher, 29, told the court she thought her family had hired Adam Stone as her attorney. Since Stone wasn’t present in the courtroom, Leuthold told Booher that he would contact Stone and verify that he had been hired.
“If I learn that he has not been retained, I will appoint Brian Gernert to represent you in this case,” Leuthold said.
Bond was set at $50,000.
Rikki Lucas, 24, of Bucyrus pleaded guilty to possession of drugs, a fifth-degree felony, punishable with up to 12 months in prison.
Lucas was placed on five years of community control and she must complete a drug and alcohol assessment and pay the related costs. While talking with Lucas, Leuthold learned that she has custody of her four-year-old child.
“If I find out that you are doing drugs around this child you’re going to prison,” Leuthold said. “I don’t tolerate drug usage in front of children, they can be seriously harmed and, in some cases, killed. Fortunately, in Crawford County we haven’t lost any children, but some have been very, very sick and I am not putting up with it.”
Lucas told the court that she had gotten into drugs with her husband who is currently in jail awaiting his sentence.
“Look, I don’t know what you and your husband are going to do and that’s none of my business, but I’ll tell you what he’s not going to do,” Leuthold said. “He’s not going to bring drugs into your home around your child.”
Jeanette Fast, 41, of Galion was arraigned on three counts of possession of drugs, all fifth-degree felonies, with each punishable with up to 12 months in prison. However, this was an old charge that was revealed after Fast was charged in her most recent case. Since it was an old charge and Fast had been on bail, Leuthold placed her on a personal recognizance bond. Brian Gernert was appointed to represent Fast.
Chad Bucklew, 37, of Crestline made a general admission to violating the terms and conditions of his community control. Leuthold imposed a 12-month prison sentence on Bucklew, who will be given credit for jail time served.
Corey Brown, 23, of Bucyrus pleaded guilty to aggravated assault, a fourth-degree felony punishable with up to 18 months in prison. The charges were the result of a bar fight.
In plea agreement, Brown was placed in the prosecutor’s diversion program. If he completes the program successfully, the felony will be dropped from his record. If he is unable to successfully complete the program, Brown faces a felony on his record and 18 months in prison.
Brown was ordered to pay $2330 in restitution to the victim for medical bills. He was also ordered to have no contact with the victim or his immediate family.
“Look, we live in a small town and at some point, you will see each other maybe at the gas station or the grocery store,” Leuthold said. “That is not a violation. But there is to be no conversation, no eye rolls, no hand gestures. Any of that constitutes a violation and it will not bode well for you.”