By Bob Strohm
bstrohm@wbcowqel.com
Seven must have been the number of the day at the Crawford County Common Pleas Court Wednesday, as seven defendants were sentenced to prison, including one for a seven-year term.
Amy Heefner, 35, of Hilliard, was given a seven-year prison sentence after a change of plea to guilty in two cases of aggravated robbery. Judge Sean Leuthold ordered that both cases were to run concurrent with each other. The first-degree felony incidents allegedly occurred on Aug. 24 and 25. Both charges carried a maximum 11-year prison sentence. Heefner is also serving a three-year prison sentence for another county.
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Jason Lawrence, 30, had his four-year prison sentence re-imposed after pleading guilty to community control violations. On Oct. 14, 2016, Lawrence allegedly had tested positive for opiates, oxycontin, and cocaine. Lawrence also allegedly was found with drug paraphernalia including a spoon, syringe and a marijuana cigarette.
Tristen Lucas, 21, Galion, found himself back in the defendant’s chair Wednesday. Lucas plead guilty to community control violations and received a 36-month prison sentence. On Sept. 17, 2016 Lucas allegedly refused to test after consuming alcohol in Galion and acting disorderly.
Upon sentencing Leuthold had a few words with Lucas.
“I think you are one of the three idiots with a pellet gun, I didn’t think you were bad, but just being stupid. Since then you have been caught using cocaine, now drinking,” Leuthold said.
“You have got family here, they care for you,” Leuthold continued. “I see people all the time with nobody in the back.”
“Mr. Lucas keep your head on straight, they have programs (in prison). If you don’t act like an idiot and get into trouble you may get an early release from me,” Leuthold added. “My patience is gone. You have had more opportunities than some.”
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Willis Clary pleaded guilty on a breaking and entering charge Wednesday. On Sept. 2, 2016 the 26-year-old man, who was on probation for tampering with evidence, allegedly trespassed on a structure, possessed instruments with the purpose of criminal intent, attempted to steal wiring from a vacant East Charles Street home in Bucyrus, and tested positive for cocaine. Those violations led to the new breaking and entering charge. In pleading guilty Clary had his possession of instruments with purpose of criminal intent charge dismissed.
As a result, Clary received a 10-month prison sentence on the breaking and entering charge, and a 30- month sentence on the admission on the community control violation with both sentences to be served concurrently for a total of 30 months.
After receiving his sentencing Clary apologized to the community for what he had done.
“I went to school with your mom,” Leuthold told Clary. “When you do stuff like this you hurt yourself and your family.”
Leuthold also ordered Clary to pay court costs plus restitution if applicable.
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Joshua Denzer, 20, Bloomville, was sentenced to 10 months in prison on a breaking and entering charge. Denzer, who along with Justin Kimble, was accused of breaking and entering into the concession stand at Aumiller Park this past summer.
Denzer had previously served a 10-month sentence for breaking and entering in 2015.
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Sheena Love pleaded guilty to community control violations and was sentenced to 8 months in prison. The 30-year old Mt. Gilead woman allegedly tested positive on a urinalysis for opiates and created false records to make it appear that she had a prescription.
Love originally pleaded guilty to theft in September and was placed on community control.
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Joshua Disbennett, 31, Galion, was sentenced to eight months in prison after changing his plea to guilty on felony 5 possession of drugs.
Andrew Utter had his community control extended from three years to five years after pleading guilty to parole violations after he was charged with disorderly conduct in Richland County.
Leuthold noted that due to Utter’s service in the military and Parole Officer Eric Bohach going to bat for the former serviceman, he went easy on him. Leuthold reminded Utter to behave himself.