A defendant arrested after drugs and firearms were pulled from his vehicle during a traffic stop last summer was sentenced to community control sanctions recently in Logan County Common Pleas Court.
Clinton Daines, 33, of Bellefontaine, was sentenced to five years of community control on charges of possession of heroin and improperly handling a firearm in a motor vehicle, both fourth-degree felonies, and carrying a concealed weapon, a second-degree misdemeanor. His sentences will run concurrently, and he was granted eight days of jail time credit. He is also required to pay all court costs.
Daines was arrested Aug. 9 after officers of the Bellefontaine Police Department conducted a traffic stop on his 2012 silver Toyota SUV around 3:38 p.m. in the 1600 block of South Main Street for a window tint violation.
Upon making contact, officers discovered that Daines’ driver’s license was expired. He was asked to exit the vehicle, and a probable cause search was conducted. K9 Pyro was deployed and alerted to the presence of drugs inside the vehicle.
During the search, officers found two loaded handguns, a loaded rifle, heroin, and drug paraphernalia inside the SUV. Additionally, an extra loaded handgun was discovered on his person.
Daines was taken into custody and later indicted on the firearm and drug charges.
Lewistown man sentenced to community control for high-speed pursuit
A defendant who led officers on a high-speed chase was sentenced recently in Logan County Common Pleas Court.
Dustin Wells, 32, of Lewistown, was sentenced to three years of community control for failure to comply with the order or signal of a police officer, a third-degree felony. The court also imposed a Class II driver’s license suspension for three years. Wells was granted 36 days of jail time credit and ordered to pay all court costs.
Wells was arrested following a traffic stop on July 25, after officers of the Washington Township Police Department observed him driving on State Route 274 near County Road 61 around 6 p.m. Officers were aware that Wells had a suspended license and was prohibited from driving as part of his bond conditions from a prior felony case.
When officers attempted to conduct a traffic stop, Wells accelerated, reaching speeds over 100 mph. He continued westbound on S.R. 274, passing multiple vehicles unsafely before attempting to turn onto County Road 54. Due to excessive speed, he was unable to make the turn and continued fleeing westbound.
The pursuit ended on Township Road 21 near S.R. 274 when Wells came to a stop as officers closed in. He was taken into custody without further incident.
Defendant sentenced for domestic violence attack
A Bellefontaine man previously arrested following a domestic dispute was sentenced recently in Logan County Common Pleas Court to community control sanctions.
Edgar Rosario De La Cruz, 27, was sentenced to three years of community control for strangulation, a fourth-degree felony. As part of his sentence, he is prohibited from having any direct or indirect contact with the victim. He was also granted five days of jail time credit and ordered to pay all court costs.
De La Cruz was arrested on July 18 after officers of the Bellefontaine Police Department responded to a domestic violence call shortly after 4 p.m. at a residence in the 600 block of East Sandusky Avenue.
Upon arrival, officers spoke with three male juveniles who reported that De La Cruz had punched and choked a female resident. The victim stated that an argument broke out when De La Cruz returned home from work. Officers were informed that he had a history of abusive behavior.
When the victim attempted to call law enforcement, De La Cruz allegedly grabbed her phone and threw it against a wall, leaving a visible dent. Officers also observed other signs of domestic abuse. A victim’s rights advocate was contacted and spoke with the victim.
De La Cruz was initially charged with domestic violence, strangulation, and disruption of public services. He was transported to the Logan County Jail following his arrest.