By Gary Ogle
gogle@wbcowqel.com
Thursday’s hearing in Common Pleas Court on a pre-trial motion made by Jarrell Walker turned out to be much longer than anticipated. But not nearly as long as the time the 26-year-old will spend in prison as a result of the proceedings.
Following lengthy discussions between defense attorney Brad Starkey and assistant prosecutor Ryan Hoovler, Walker pleaded guilty to the two most serious charges in an 11-count indictment stemming from an Oct. 1, 2014 traffic stop by Bucyrus police.
Under the parameters of the agreement, which Common Pleas Court Judge Sean Leuthold accepted and proceeded immediately to sentencing, Walker was sentenced to 11 years in prison on a first-degree felony drug possession charge and eight years for second-degree felony drug possession. Walker will serve the sentences concurrently.
“Drug trafficking and drug use is a scourge in this county and it has ruined a lot of lives,” Leuthold said at the time of sentencing. “Justice will be swift and justice will be harsh.”
The other nine counts of the indictment, all for felony drug possession, will be dropped by the Crawford County Prosecutor’s Office as will misdemeanor charges by the City of Bucyrus. In addition Walker was fined $10,000, ordered to forfeit $42,539.03 in cash and an automobile that will be distributed by the Bucyrus Police Department and County Prosecutor’s Office.
The judge also suspended Walker’s driver’s license for six months. Walker will receive jail credit of 191 days served at the county jail since the date of his arrest. All drug-related items will be forfeited to the Bucyrus Police Department. Walker will also be subject to five years of mandatory post-release control.
Walker could have been facing a total time in prison of 45.5 years in prison had he been convicted on all 11 counts and sentenced to maximum, consecutive sentences. Prior to being taken from the courtroom, Walker was again addressed by the judge who noted his youthful age and challenged him to make the right choice when released from prison or face going back.
“Mr. Walker, if you engage in the drug culture it will cost you a significant portion of your life,” Leuthold said.
This was Walker’s first felony conviction.
Walker was arrested when Lt. Neil Assenheimer of the Bucyrus Police Department stopped Walker for a stop sign violation at a cross street on South Sandusky Avenue near the Hy-Miler station. The Ohio State Highway Patrol and its K-9 unit was called in as was METRICH. Authorities then seized both street and prescription drugs along with the cash. The cocaine seized was believed to have a street value of $25,000.
Walker has been held at the county jail since his arrest on a $1.5 million bond.