BUCYRUS — Stanley Hoffman, 55, of Tiffin was told he chose the wrong county to commit a crime.

Hoffman pleaded guilty to a fourth-degree felony charge for menacing by stalking. Hoffman appeared before Crawford County Common Pleas Court Judge Sean Leuthold on Wednesday. Hoffman pleaded guilty to the charges that stemmed from his pursuit of teenage victims in Crawford County.

Hoffman originally was charged with intimidation as well.

Hoffman has been housed at the Crawford County Justice Center since his arrest. Court-appointed attorney Brian Gernert represented him.

Before pronouncing sentence, Leuthold asked the prosecution for comment. Crawford County Assistant Prosecutor Ryan Hoovler asked for five years of community control for Hoffman.

“We feel this is the best way to protect the victims and monitor him,” Hoovler said.

When asked if he had anything to say, Hoffman told the court he was sorry about everything. He also told the court he wanted to admit himself into psychiatric care.

When the father of the victim had a chance to speak to the court, he cited Hoffman’s history. He also asked the court to put a monitor on Hoffman to keep his kids safe.

Leuthold had a lot to say to Hoffman.

“You’re a 55-year-old man; a man of a certain age. Do you know who doesn’t want a relationship of any kind with you? At teenage girl, that’s who. You’re an old dude!” Leuthold said.

Leuthold told Hoffman that his games stop now. Noting that he has stalked these girls over the Internet and created a relationship that is not there is nonsense.

“You caused heartbreak and fear to a whole family. You’ve made their lives miserable for the last seven months. It stops today,” Leuthold said. “You stumbled into my county and started something you never should have started. My county is under my protection. I am putting you on five years of community control with some intense restrictions. If you attempt to contact any of these victims I will put your ass in prison and you will serve every single day of the 18 months.”

Leuthold ordered probation officer Mark Alspach to the case. Hoffman will be under intense supervision with Alspach.

“I want you to supervise him like you have never supervised anyone else. If he scratches his butt I want to know,” Leuthold ordered. “I want a weekly report on him.”

Hoffman will remain in jail until he is fitted with a monitor bracelet. Leuthold also ordered Hoffman’s cell phone and Internet activity to be monitored and checked. He will report to the probation office weekly.

In other court proceedings, Billy Chatman, 44, of Tiro will spend the next nine months in prison after he pleaded guilty to a third-degree felony charge for possession of drugs.

Chatman appeared in court with attorney Grant Garverick. Chatman will receive credit for jail time served. He will forfeit all drug-related property to the Galion Police Department.

Justin Booher, 32, of Bucyrus was sentenced to four years in prison after pleading guilty to a second-degree charge for burglary. Booher appeared in court with attorney Brad Starkey.

Leuthold told Booher that normally he would sentence someone for this crime to an average of eight years in prison.

“I have reviewed this case in great detail. I don’t think Mr. Booher is a hardcore criminal. This is a case where he stole from his parents,” Leuthold said. “I am going to approach this from a different angle and try to get Mr. Booher on the right path.”

Booher told the court he had a drug problem since he was 16 when he was in an automobile crash. He said he was addicted to both meth and heroin.

“You victimized your parents which is what we see a lot of in these cases. Your parents are good people and they love you. They never turned their backs on you,” Leuthold said. “But guess what? They are not in control of you now; I am. And guess what else? I don’t love you; in fact I don’t even like you! You’re going to spend some time in prison and then we are going to try to get you on the right path.”

After an unspecified time in prison, the court intends to release Booher into a community-based correction facility.

“At some point, I want to put you into my ISAT program. We will use all the resources we have to help you,” Leuthold said. “My philosophy is very simple. If you do well I will reward you. If you do badly, I will punish you. You’re 32, it’s time to get things right.”