From the Bench: Municipal Court Roundup, Sept. 8 – Sept. 12, 2025

by Logan Andrew | FreeWire Magazine — Your News, Your Voice

Bucyrus Municipal Court saw another busy week in September with a steady stream of OVI cases, driving suspensions, domestic violence charges, trespass and disorderly conduct offenses, and several felony matters bound over to the Crawford County Common Pleas Court. While most misdemeanor jail terms were suspended, probation requirements and no-contact orders remain in effect.

OVI & Driving Offenses

• Kevan A. Hughett, 25, Bucyrus — pleaded guilty to OVI under the influence. He was fined $715 and sentenced to 180 days in jail with 170 suspended, plus a one-year license suspension. He must serve 10 days in jail and complete an alcohol/drug assessment. A low-test OVI charge was dismissed.
• James M. McCall, 42, Mansfield — pleaded guilty to physical control. He was fined $375 and sentenced to 180 days in jail, all suspended. McCall must complete biweekly drug testing and remain drug- and alcohol-free.
• James R. Roman, 58, Coolville — pleaded guilty to OVI under the influence. He was fined $565 and sentenced to 180 days in jail with 177 suspended, plus a one-year license suspension.
• Erica L. Smith, 45, Galion — pleaded guilty to driving under suspension (OVI). She was fined $250 and sentenced to 180 days in jail with 177 suspended. Her license was suspended an additional year, and she was ordered to remain drug- and alcohol-free. A speeding charge was dismissed.
• Wesley S. Perdue, 26, Bucyrus — pleaded guilty to driving under suspension (12 points). He was fined $250 and sentenced to 180 days in jail with 177 suspended. He must serve three days in December and remain drug- and alcohol-free. A seatbelt violation was dismissed.
• Isabella L. Alvarez, 23, Mansfield — pleaded guilty to OVI under the influence. She was fined $565 and sentenced to 180 days in jail with 177 suspended, plus a one-year license suspension. Alvarez must complete a 72-hour driver intervention program and an alcohol/drug assessment.
• Kaitlyn A. Stiver, 27, Galion — pleaded guilty to OVI under the influence. She was fined $565 and sentenced to 180 days in jail with 170 suspended. She was granted driving privileges with ignition interlock for six months. Related OVI/Breath (Low) and failure-to-control charges were dismissed.
• James B. Vanderkooi, 66, Galion — pleaded guilty to OVI under the influence. He was fined $1,625 with $600 suspended and sentenced to 180 days in jail with 156 suspended, plus a one-year license suspension. Vanderkooi will serve 18 days on electronic monitoring. A high-test OVI charge was dismissed.
• John D. Parker, 41, Columbus — pleaded guilty to OVI under the influence. He was fined $565 and sentenced to 180 days in jail with 177 suspended, plus a one-year license suspension. He must remain drug- and alcohol-free and cannot drive without proper insurance. A second OVI charge and a no-tail-light violation were dismissed.
• Randy L. Heater, Bucyrus — pleaded guilty in two separate OVI cases. In the first, he was fined $925 and sentenced to 180 days in jail with 177 suspended, alongside a conviction for driving under suspension (OVI). In the second, he was fined $600 and sentenced to 180 days in jail with 142 suspended, with a two-year license suspension. He must complete an alcohol/drug assessment. A metabolite OVI charge was dismissed.

Assault & Domestic Violence

• Cory L. Pierce, 56, Bucyrus — pleaded guilty to domestic violence threats. He was fined $250 and sentenced to 30 days in jail, all suspended. Pierce must complete anger management and remain drug- and alcohol-free.
• Sanchos B. Demay, 49, West Salem — pleaded guilty to domestic violence. He was fined $200 and sentenced to 180 days in jail, all suspended. He was ordered to have no contact with the victim and remain drug- and alcohol-free.
• Thomas A. Mellor, 49, Galion — pleaded guilty to domestic violence threats. He was fined $150 and sentenced to 180 days in jail with 146 suspended. He was given a no-contact order and placed on drug- and alcohol-free conditions. An aggravated menacing charge was dismissed.

Theft & Property Offenses

• Joshua Eldridge, 39, Bucyrus — pleaded guilty to attempted theft. He was fined $500, all suspended, and sentenced to 90 days in jail, also suspended. Eldridge must complete the Stop Lift program.
• Brittany C. Tolley, 34, Galion — pleaded guilty to criminal mischief. She was fined $50 and sentenced to 60 days in jail, all suspended. She must remain drug- and alcohol-free. Related trespass and disorderly conduct charges were dismissed.

Trespass & Disorderly Conduct

• Ashley N. Perry, 40, Bucyrus — pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct. She was fined $250 and sentenced to 30 days in jail, all suspended. She must complete a parenting class and remain drug- and alcohol-free.
• Bryce T. Robbins, 43, Mansfield — pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct. He was fined $50 and sentenced to 30 days in jail, all suspended. He must complete a certified alcohol/drug assessment.
• Aaron A. Keister, 45, Crestline — pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct/fighting. He was fined $50 and sentenced to 30 days in jail, all suspended. He must pay restitution to the victim. A related criminal mischief charge was dismissed.
• Jordan M. Williams, 35, Galion — pleaded guilty to criminal trespass. He was fined $25, suspended, and court costs were waived.
• Dennis M. Williams, 54, Galion — pleaded guilty to criminal trespass. He was fined $25, suspended, and a $125 fine was also suspended.

Felonies Bound Over

• Seth A. Rarick, 33, Bucyrus — bound over on child endangerment (F3).
• Douglas W. Criswell, 41, Marion — bound over on receiving stolen property (F5).
• Quentin R. Jenkins, 29, Bucyrus — bound over on possession of drugs (F5).
• Bernardino A. Cortes, 40, Willard — bound over on possession of drugs (F5).
• Jahmere D. Thomas, 20, Mansfield — bound over on weapon in a vehicle (F4).
• Adam P. Hart, 36, Galion — bound over on aggravated burglary (F1).
• Jeana L. Mulkey, 54, New Washington — bound over on possession of drugs (F5).

Conclusion

This week in municipal court was marked by a heavy slate of OVI and driving suspension cases, alongside domestic violence and trespass convictions. While jail time was largely suspended, strict probation conditions — including treatment, no-contact orders, and license suspensions — will keep defendants under court supervision. Several felony charges were also bound over to the Crawford County Common Pleas Court for further proceedings.