BUCYRUS — The tears of a Galion woman left Crawford County Common Pleas Court Judge Sean Leuthold with little sympathy for her fate.
Jessica Rowalt of Galion pleaded guilty to violating the terms and conditions of her community control. According to her supervising officer, Eric Bohach, a look through Rowalt’s phone revealed that she had been acting as a middleman for addicts to hook up with dealers to purchase drugs.
Rowalt, 28, had been placed on community control in 2016 for two counts of trafficking in drugs, both fifth-degree felonies each punishable with up to 12 months in prison.
“What are you doing? How stupid can you be? Why were you doing this?” Leuthold asked.
Rowalt told the court that she felt sorry for people who were going through drug withdrawal and linked them to dealers so they could obtain drugs.
“I was trying to help them,” a tearful Rowalt said.
“So, this is your excuse? You felt bad for addicts? You chose to help them rather than take care of your own children?” Leuthold further asked.
Rowalt has three children ages eight, five and one-and-a-half years old. An angry Leuthold told Rowalt the real victims of her behavior are her children;
“Drugs are a victimless crime they say, addicts only hurt themselves they say,” Leuthold said. “They ought to sit in this courtroom where every day I see the effects of drugs on children. Distracted, neglectful parenting, physical, sexual and emotional abuse, this all happens to the children. I have one little guy I check on every day because he’s fighting for his life. I already sent his mom to prison, but I don’t know from day to day if this little guy is going to make it.”
Leuthold inquired about who would take care of the children if she went to prison. Rowalt said her father had her children now but she didn’t know who would take care of them if she goes to prison.
“Their fathers are no better than I am,” Rowalt said.
“OK, let me get this straight: Dads are out drinking, doing drugs and committing crimes,” Leuthold said. “Mom is on her cell phone facilitating drug deals. For the love of God, can someone ever in this situation put their children first? It would be a pleasant surprise.”
Leuthold sentenced Rowalt to 24 months in prison, the maximum sentence.
“As much as I’d like to send you to prison today, I have to worry about three more kids,” Leuthold said.
Rowalt was given a report date of August 12 at 7:30 p.m. to report for transport to prison. She was given the report date so she could secure care for her children.
Leuthold told Bohach, “I want her checked and regularly tested. If you find one infraction, I want her arrested. Ms. Rowalt, if there’s any sign of this still going on, your report date to prison will be the moment Mr. Bohach arrests you.”