Judge Kimbler Changes of Plea for February 22-24, 2011

This past week was a light week for changes of plea in Courtroom Number Two. On Monday the Medina County Courthouse was closed and on Friday the Courthouse was to be the site of an Ohio Mock Trial Regional Competition, although that event ended up being cancelled because of the blizzard. Consequently there were only five defendants who changed their pleas this past week.

On Tuesday, two defendants changed plea. They were:

Lester J. Javey, 42, of Pasadena Avenue in Youngstown, Ohio, entered a "no contest" plea to one count of Possession of Drugs, (Marijuana), a fifth degree felony, and was found guilty on that charge. Judge Kimbler referred the case to the Medina County Adult Probation Department for a presentence investigation. Judge Kimbler will impose sentence on March 31, 2011.

Lynn W. Power, 61, of Meadow Gateway in Medina, Ohio, entered a plea of "no contest" to one count of Gross Sexual Imposition, a third degree felony, and one count of Indecent Public Exposure, a fourth degree misdemeanor. Judge Kimbler made a finding of guilt on the charge of Gross Sexual Imposition, but deferred making a finding of guilt on the charge of Indecent Public Exposure, pending the filing of some post-plea motions.

Judge Kimbler ordered a presentence investigation and will sentence Mr. Power on March 31, 2011 on the charge of Gross Sexual Imposition. Judge Kimbler continued Mr. Power's bond pending sentencing.

On Wednesday, February 23, 2011, one defendant changed plea. That defendant was:

Bradley A. Shelly, 35, of West Chestnut Street in Wadsworth, Ohio, entered a plea of "no contest" to two counts of Drug Trafficking, both fifth degree felonies. Judge Kimbler found him guilty of both counts and ordered a presentence investigation. Judge Kimbler will impose sentence on March 31, 2011. Bond was continued pending sentencing.

On Thursday, February 24, 2011, two defendants changed plea. One defendant was sentenced to prison immediately following his change of plea. The other defendant asked that her bond be revoked and that she be remanded to the Medina County Jail pending sentencing.

The defendant who changed plea and then was sentenced to prison was Thomas M. O'Connor, 21, of Hametown Road in Norton, Ohio. He plead "no contest" to three fifth degree felonies. Two were for Drug Possession and one was for Receiving Stolen Property. Judge Kimbler found him guilty on all three charges and sentenced him to six months in prison. Judge Kimbler's prison sentence will be served concurrently with a five year sentence imposed by the Summit County Common Pleas Court.

The defendant who changed her plea and wanted her bond revoked was Crystal A. Gargasz, also known as Crystal A. Brandt, 32, of Ledgestone Drive in Wadsworth, Ohio. Ms. Gargasz entered pleas of "no contest" to two counts of Drug Possession, both fifth degree felonies. Judge Kimbler revoked her bond and will sentence her on March 4, 2011. Judge Kimbler anticipates sentencing her to six months in the Medina County Jail on each count with the jail sentences to run concurrently.