BUCYRUS — A Bucyrus man appeared in Crawford County Common Pleas Court on Monday to change his plea.
Nathan Pollitt, 27, pleaded guilty to one count of endangering children, a third-degree felony punishable with up to three years in prison. Pollitt admitted to the allegations that he disciplined his then five-month-old child by punching him in the face, leaving the child with a black eye.
Common Pleas Court Judge Sean Leuthold accepted the guilty plea but did not sentence Pollitt. Per an agreement between the State and Pollitt’s defense attorney, Derek Dailey, Leuthold ordered a complete pre-sentence investigation.
Dailey asserted to the court that his client suffers from developmental disabilities and receives services from Developmental Disabilities Services. Leuthold ask Dailey if his client receives disability payments and Dailey told the court his client does not receive payments.
Dailey told the court that as an infant, Pollitt had two stents placed in his brain to stop brain bleeding. He also noted that his client is on medication for anxiety.
Leuthold explained the process to Pollitt.
“Do you understand that there are no promises here? I can sentence you to anything from community control to up to 36 months in prison,” Leuthold said. “Your attorney and the State will argue sentencing after the pre-sentence investigation is complete.”
Leuthold also told Pollitt that if the pre-sentence investigation warranted it, he could also order a district five competency evaluation.
“This is going to take a month or two but when the PSI is complete, we will order a hearing and I will determine your sentence,” Leuthold said.
Several individuals were present in court both for and against the defendant. Assistant prosecutor Ryan Hoovler told them they could submit statements through the court’s victim advocate, Jim Scott, to be considered at sentencing.
Judge Leuthold continued Pollitt’s bond. He is to have no contact with the victim in this case.
In other court action, George Akeem, 27, of New York pleaded guilty to one count of counterfeiting, a fourth-degree felony punishable with up to 18 months in prison.
In a plea negotiation, Leuthold sentenced Akeem to one year of community control. He was ordered to forfeit app property seized to the Ohio State Highway Patrol unless he can prove he owns the property.
Gilbert Smith, 40, of Galion made a general admission to violating the terms and conditions of his community control.
According to probation officer Chris Heydinger, beginning May 14, Smith began failing to appear for court ordered office visits. During a trip to his listed address, Heydinger learned that Smith had moved to Marion without reporting the change of address. On May 27, Smith was found in possession of heroin, suboxone and a syringe, all in Marion.
Smith originally pleaded guilty to one count of felonious assault in 2016. He was sentenced to prison in August 2016 and granted judicial release in June 2018. Upon release he was placed on community control for five years.
Leuthold reimposed the four-year prison sentence, but Smith will receive jail time credit. Leuthold said he would not oppose transitional control if the prison requested it.
Christopher Bunker 48, of Bucyrus pleaded guilty to violating the terms and conditions of his community control. Smith originally pleaded guilty to possession of drugs, a fifth-degree felony punishable with up to one year in prison. He was placed on five years of community control on May 20.
According to probation officer Heydinger, Bunker failed to appear for his first office visit on May 21. He also refused a urine drug screen test.
Leuthold sentenced Smith to a flat eight months in prison but said he would not oppose transitional control if the prison requested it.