BUCYRUS — Tabatha Tesso, 37, of Crestline was sentenced to 12 months in prison on Monday when she appeared before Judge Sean Leuthold in Crawford County Common Pleas Court.
Tesso admitted to violating the terms and conditions of her community control. She admitted to using cocaine, marijuana and consuming alcohol. Tesso was placed on community control following a conviction of drug possession.
In a plea negotiated between the state and Tesso’s attorney, Tom Mathews, it was agreed that Tesso would serve her time in prison with no new charges stemming from her community control violation.
Robert Fisher, 32, of Marion caught a rare break from Judge Leuthold. Fisher was on community control following judicial release from prison on domestic violence, a third-degree felony.
Fisher admitted to using meth. Both the state and the defense were given the opportunity to argue on what sentence should be imposed.
Representing the state, Assistant Prosecutor Ryan Hoovler argued that the remaining 18 months of Fisher’s original sentence be imposed.
Hoovler noted that Fisher admitted to the use of meth which is a drug that is especially bad for someone who is violent.
“We gave him an opportunity to prove to the court and the public that he could abide by the rules. He has failed,” Hoovler said.
Defense attorney Grant Garverick reminded the court that shortly after Fisher was in court, the no contact order with the victim had been lifted at her request.
“There was no violence even though the state has implied that meth causes violence,” Garverick said. “My client called in, reported and even owned up to his mistakes.”
The defense asked that other options for treatment be explored or even a community-based correctional facility be considered. When asked if he had anything to say, Fisher told the court, “I need rehab.”
“Using meth while you are on community control is one of the worst things you can do,” Leuthold told Fisher. “You came in here, I let you out. I lifted the no contact order and at no time did you ask for rehab. Now, suddenly, when you’re in violation of your community control you ask for rehab.”
Fisher has been in the Crawford County Justice Center since his arrest in September.
“Mr. Fisher, I’m going to give you a bit of a break here,” Leuthold said. “I’m going to continue your community control with the condition that you spend 90 days in jail. Then we will look at getting you into a drug treatment program.”
Fisher began to quiz the judge on the type of program he could participate in.
“Stop asking questions! I will decide on what program you go into,” Leuthold told him. “I’ll do whatever I damn well please. It’s either my way or prison. And I’ll tell you another thing: If you cause one ounce of trouble out at the jail, you will go right back to prison!”