BUCYRUS—Sean Cassaro, 44, of Crawford County, appeared in Crawford County Common Pleas Court on Monday with a request to reduce the restrictions of his bond.
Cassaro is set to go face a jury on September 9th. He is charged with two counts of robbery, each second-degree felony and each punishable with up to 8 years in prison, two counts of domestic violence, each a first degree, misdemeanor and each punishable with up to 180 days in jail and also one count of theft, also a first-degree misdemeanor punishable with up to 180 days in jail.
Cassaro’s attorney Andrew Motter filed a motion with the court to allow his client to take a “family” vacation to Sturgis, South Dakota, from August 8-14.
Assistant Prosecutor Ryan Hoovler pointed out to the court that the state opposed such a trip and that Cassaro was not traveling with family but with friends on his motorcycle to the annual Sturgis Bike Rally. Hoovler noted the terms and conditions of Cassaro’s bond did not permit him to travel across state lines. “It seems questionable that just 60 days within his trial on serious robbery and domestic violence charges that he would want to take a vacation,” Hoovler said.
Crawford County Common Pleas Court Judge Sean Leuthold told Cassaro that he did not imagine that as a “family” vacation; “When I think of a family vacation, I think of maybe the lake and kids and the family. I don’t think of a trip with my buddies to a motorcycle rally as that.” Leuthold said.
Leuthold heard from Chief Probation Officer Eric Bohach, who told the court Cassaro had reported as ordered and passed all weekly drug tests.
“It seems that Mr. Cassaro behaves well while on bond. However, I cannot imagine letting anyone who is on a personal recognizance bond travel that far across the country to attend a bike rally. The motion is denied.” Leuthold said.
In other court news, Brandon Borders, 23 of Bucyrus, pleaded guilty to one count of tampering with evidence, a felony of the third degree punishable with up to 36 months in prison and one count of possession of drugs, a felony of the fifth degree punishable with up to 12 months in prison.
In a negotiated plea agreement, Judge Leuthold sentenced Borders to 19 months in prison on count one and six months in prison on count two. The sentences will run concurrently for a total of 18 months in prison.
Borders will forfeit all drug-related property to the appropriate authorities. He will receive 40 days of jail time credit. He may apply for judicial release after he serves six months in prison.
David Easterday, 34, of Marion, was arraigned on a charge that he violated his community control.
Easterday was sentenced to 36 months in prison in 2019 for tampering with evidence, receiving stolen property, and assault on a peace officer. He was granted judicial release in January.
According to probation officer Eric Bohach, Easterday was arrested in Marion last week and charged with falsification. He also failed to appear for an office visit. He tested positive for fentanyl and other drugs.
Judge Leuthold entered a not guilty plea on behalf of Easterday and ordered the matter for a full hearing. He reappointed attorney Joel Spitzer to represent him.
Bond was set at $100,000.00.