Fast track to prison in drug case

BUCYRUS – In less than a week a defendant in a high-profile Bucyrus drug case has gone from arrest to prison.

Shaun McCarty, 30, was arrested Thursday after Bucyrus police, with assistance from several other law enforcement agencies in the county, searched 910 Maple St. McCarty was later charged with trafficking in heroin, as well as possession of the drug.

On Monday, McCarty was arraigned on those charges by new Judge Shane Leuthold in Crawford County Municipal Court. On Wednesday, McCarty waived his right to a grand jury indictment, pleaded guilty to the drug charges and was sentenced by Leuthold's brother, Crawford County Common Pleas Court Judge Sean Leuthold.

"I believe he was suffering from addiction," McCarty's attorney, Timothy O'Leary, said. "He wants to change his life and raise a family."

Speaking for himself, McCarty attempted to show remorse to the judge.

"I did have a problem," he said. "Everything I did out there was wrong. I am sorry."

Leuthold wasn't convinced.

"Addiction may explain your behavior, but it's not an excuse. You were selling heroin. You were making the situation worse," Leuthold told McCarty.

"This is now the wrong county for that. We're not going to tolerate that nonsense, and I think the maximum sentence is appropriate. If you break the law in this county justice is going to be swift, justice is going to be harsh."

Assistant county prosecutor Ryan Hoovler recommended to the judge a maximum sentence of 36 months in prison for the single count of trafficking in heroin, a third-degree felony, and 12 months in prison, to be served concurrently, for one count of heroin possession, a fifth-degree felony.

McCarty's sentence also included a six-month driver's license suspension, a $1,250 fine and three years of post-release control.

In handing down the sentence, Leuthold said McCarty has previous convictions for drug possession and domestic violence.

Arrested along with McCarty last week was Khristin Sharp, 26, who has been charged with trafficking in heroin, a fourth-degree felony. The county prosecutor's office alleges that undercover officers purchased the drug from Sharp on three occasions.

Bond for Sharp was set at $500,000 Monday in Municipal Court.

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Twitter: @ToddHillMNJ