MARION, OH (MARION COUNTY NOW)—Recent plea agreements within the Marion County Court System have sparked controversy, seemingly contradicting law enforcement’s repeated calls to halt the reduction of serious felony charges to misdemeanors.
In the wake of the latest elections and judicial appointments, a significant uptick in cases being dismissed from felony court has been observed as many are being pled down to lesser charges in Municipal Court.
One of the most notable cases involves Kelly Sipes, who has a lengthy criminal history. Sipes originally faced a second-degree felony charge for discharging a firearm into a habitation and a third-degree felony for tampering with evidence. However, he ultimately pleaded guilty to a first-degree misdemeanor charge of obstruction of justice in Municipal Court. As a result, Sipes was sentenced to 180 days in jail, with 177 days suspended, and placed on two years of community control.
Similarly, John Kearns, who was charged with third-degree strangulation and first-degree misdemeanor domestic violence, has seen his case reduced to a first-degree misdemeanor of theft, which remains pending in Municipal Court. Notably, the no-contact order with the alleged victim has been lifted, allowing Kearns to have supervised visitation.
In yet another case, Josh Ferguson had his third-degree strangulation and fourth-degree assault charges dismissed in favor of a guilty plea to a first-degree misdemeanor assault charge. Ferguson received a suspended jail term of 180 days, along with a sentence of 25 hours of community service and a $250 fine.
At a recent launch event for “Protect Ohio Police,” a new initiative aimed at combating violence against law enforcement, Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) President and Marion Police Chief Jay McDonald voiced concerns over these lighter sentencing practices, particularly regarding violent offenders.
The Protect Ohio Police political action committee intends to advocate for local ordinances, stricter bail, and sentencing measures for violent offenders, as well as pursue new state laws. The committee plans to mobilize over 20,000 FOP members statewide, along with their friends, family, and allies, to support candidates who prioritize the safety of law enforcement.
May has been especially violent for law enforcement; proof lies in the tragic case of Morrow County Deputy Daniel Sherrer, who was fatally shot while responding to a domestic violence call in Marengo on May 26. The shooter, Brian Wilson, is currently being held on a $5 million cash bond.
Marion County Now has reached out to Chief McDonald for further comments on these seemingly lenient sentencing practices against violent offenders, particularly those involved in domestic violence cases. As of now, no response has been received, but updates will follow as information becomes available.