Fremont man sentenced in Bergman Orchards burglary

A Fremont man who pleaded guilty to two felonies in connection with a break-in at Bergman Orchards Farm Market last summer has been sentenced to three years of probation.

Jonathan A. Buchanan, 21, pleaded guilty to one count of trafficking in drugs and one count of breaking and entering, both fifth-degree felonies, in Ottawa Common Pleas Court.

Buchanan was originally charged with three additional counts, including trafficking in drugs and two counts of theft, which were dismissed as part of a plea agreement.

Judge Bruce Winters sentenced Buchanan to a total of 20 months in jail, to be carried out if the terms of community control are violated, as well as an additional 30 days to be applied at the discretion of the probation department.

As part of those terms, Buchanan must also successfully complete placement at the Crosswaeh Community Based Correctional Facility in Tiffin. Until a bed was available at Crosswaeh, Buchanan would be held at the Ottawa County Detention Facility for up to 90 days.

Buchanan is accused of entering Bergman Orchards Farm Market’s location on Ohio 269 and stealing cash and checks from the register in late June.

The drug trafficking charges stemmed from an earlier incident, in which he was accused of selling heroin to a confidential informant on two occasions in April.

Buchanan was arrested without incident following his indictment in July by an Ottawa County Drug Task Force agent.

According to court records, Buchanan posted bond a day after his arrest; however, by the end of July he was arrested again due to violating the terms of his bond by failing to report for drug testing as directed.

Buchanan entered his plea in late October and was originally scheduled to be sentenced in December, but the hearing was delayed. On Jan. 28, the court officially entered the sentencing judgment.

Published by portclintonnewsherald.com