Letter to the Editor: Response to Accusation – Why is no one stepping in?

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Editor’s Note:
FreeWire contacted Prosecutor Matthew Crall seeking clarification on multiple statements in the following letter that appear to be either inaccurate or misleading by omission. He has not replied.

In keeping with our commitment to transparency and equal access, we are publishing Mr. Crall’s letter exactly as submitted. However, it is our editorial view that portions of the statement may contain misinformation or lack key context necessary for readers to fully understand the matters discussed.

Recently an anonymous editorial asked, “Why does Mr. Crall, the Crawford County’s Prosecuting Attorney, continue to overlook the mounting reports of erratic and arrogant behavior?”

The answer lies cleverly hidden in the question. First, the reports have not been overlooked. At least a dozen cases have been reviewed. Criminal charging decisions occur every day in a prosecutor’s office. We receive investigations (usually from law enforcement) and determine whether a violation of state law can be proven beyond a reasonable doubt. If it cannot, the charge cannot be filed. Politics cannot be considered in this process. Charges are never filed solely based upon social media postings. Based upon Ohio law, the Crawford County Prosecuting Attorney can file felony or juvenile matters occurring anywhere in Crawford County, and misdemeanors occurring outside of municipalities in Crawford County.

Below are the investigations which have been recently reviewed by the Prosecutor’s Office:

1. Felonious assault with a clown mask - Not a deadly weapon and does not meet the legal standard of serious harm necessary for felony charges
2. Taking a picture of someone’s car - Insufficient evidence of Menacing by Stalking; cannot prove who took the photo
3. An elected official using mean, inappropriate words - Not a felony
4. An elected official attempting to get another elected official fired at their employer because of conduct at the City or during a traffic stop - Not a felony
5. Elected officials feeling threatened by elected officials - Not a felony
6. Elected official threatening to release potentially truthful police reports - Not a felony
7. An elected official living with another elected official
   • Board of Elections hearing held where Board determined that Elected Official had not abandoned previous residence
8. An elected official using public records to declare that other elected official did something illegal
   • Mere assertion without evidence insufficient to warrant further investigation let alone result in criminal charges whether misdemeanor or felony
9. Assault by a citizen “swatting” at a camera being held by an elected official
   • Not a deadly weapon and does not meet the legal standard of serious harm necessary for felony charges
10. Wiretapping charges against a City Official in a public room (Council Chambers) containing several other cameras and more than ten microphones

• For numerous reasons this conduct is not an illegal wiretap

11. An elected official requesting police and fire employee’s W2s and then providing addresses mistakenly provided to the elected official to persons now believed to watch the home of law enforcement. (This makes me really mad - but not a crime since no crime has occurred – yet)
12. A plethora of public records requests

Any misdemeanor charges occurring within a city would not be within the County Prosecutor’s authority; however, if sufficient evidence of misdemeanors was present, the case would be referred to the appropriate authority. That standard has not been met in any of the above-mentioned reviewed investigations.

Whether appropriate or not, this “erratic and arrogant behavior” gets forwarded to county law enforcement and the county prosecutor’s office. Since the events involve Bucyrus City officials who oversee police budgets or persons responsible for the prosecution of crimes for the city, the cases often are sent for review to the County Prosecutor. Time and time again, I have advised law enforcement and the parties involved that this bad, inappropriate conduct (or erratic and arrogant behavior as stated by anonymous editorial) does not equate to a crime. Further, it is not the duty of the County Prosecutor’s Office to rectify the erratic and arrogant behavior at City Hall through criminal prosecution. On the other hand, if someone commits a crime which can be proven beyond a reasonable doubt, I will be the first to urge prosecution by the proper entity.

I pledge to the public that the County Prosecutor’s Office will not be misused for political purposes. Do not mistake the failure to receive the wanted result as inaction. The dozen complaints have ALL been reviewed. Countless hours of work have been used reviewing the numerous frivolous, unfounded, and unprovable allegations made by and against Bucyrus City Officials by the Crawford County Sheriff’s Office and Prosecuting Attorney’s Office.

The answer to this issue does not involve misusing the criminal courts of Crawford County. Instead, the difficult answer lies in attracting and electing quality leadership in our community. Unfortunately, the circus atmosphere (clown masks included) and the low standards of some elected officials only serve to discourage those whose motives are good from even participating or stepping up as the editorial suggests.

Respectfully Submitted,

Matthew E. Crall
Crawford County Prosecuting Attorney
112 E. Mansfield Street – Suite 305
Bucyrus, OH 44820

Date: October 7, 2025