By Kathy Laird

A long and busy Monday in Crawford County Common Pleas court resulted in three men receiving significant prison sentences. Crawford County Common Pleas Judge Sean Leuthold followed plea recommendations in those cases.

Dominique Benedict, 20, of Bucyrus pleaded guilty to two felony counts of theft and burglary. He was sentenced to 54 months with credit for jail time served. He is to pay $500 in restitution and was ordered to have no contact with the victims involved in the case.

After at one time formally withdrawing from plea negotiations and opting for a trial, defendant Anthony Ross made a final decision to accept a plea agreement and accept the offer of 59 months in prison. Ross, 42, of Galion pleaded guilty to three counts of trafficking in drugs and one count of possession of drugs.

He was ordered to forfeit cash amounts of $714 and $2,608 to be split between the Galion Police Department and Crawford County Prosecutor’s Office. He was also ordered to forfeit all property seized to the Galion Police Department.

Before announcing the sentence, Leuthold noted the lengthy history of drug trafficking in Ross’s past.

“You have to understand, Mr. Ross, that Crawford County is not the place to deal drugs,” Leuthold said. “You can’t come back here and do this again. You seem like a smart guy. It is my hope you’ll turn yourself around and use that brain of yours for good.”

When asked if he had any comment, Ross replied, “You made a believer out of me judge. You got through to me.”

Ross will be given credit for time served.

Finley Foust Jr., 28, of Crestline had no words for the court after he received his sentence of 59 months in prison on two counts of receiving stolen property and one count of engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity.

Appearing in court with his attorney Joel Spitzer, Foust expressed his remorse. Noting he had two young children Foust said he is ready to get this chapter of his life over with and be a good father.

Leuthold told the defendant that this was a first good step and encouraged him to be a good father and role model when he is free.

Foust will receive credit for time served in jail. Restitution will be calculated and added to the conditions of his sentence.