BUCYRUS—A jury was seated in Crawford County Common Pleas Court on Monday to hear the case against Joshua Benedict.
Benedict, 40, currently housed at the Crawford County Jail is facing 39 counts of pandering sexually oriented materials involving a minor. If convicted, Benedict (because of the age of the victim), could face life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Due to full-court capacity and in keeping with Covid-19 protocols, the media was precluded from attending jury selection. Eighty prospective jurors were summoned for this trial.
An anonymous tip was verified revealing that a Tier I Sex Offender was assisting defense attorney Adam Stone during jury selection.
In August of 2013, Ryan Tanner, 45, of Galion pleaded guilty to three counts of gross sexual imposition, each fourth-degree felonies and each punishable with up to 18 months in prison. Tanner was given five years of community control and ordered to complete the sexual offender treatment program at the Volunteer’s of America in Mansfield. Tanner was designated a tier one sex offender (the lowest level offender) and must report annually to the Sheriff’s Department of the county where he resides for the next 15 years. Tanner, a former teacher, was ordered to forfeit his teaching license.
Tanner is currently a paralegal at Stone’s law firm.
During the course of discovery, trial preparation, and today’s jury selection, Tanner was present with Stone and actively participating in proceedings.
When reached for comment, Crawford County Prosecutor Matt Crall noted that his office policy is to not publicly comment on issues regarding an ongoing trial. No comment was given by Adam Stone or representatives of his office in response to inquiries made by Crawford County Now.
Opening arguments are scheduled to begin at 9 am on Tuesday, April 27, 2021.
