Briefly

Lawsuit filed A Tiffin woman is suing another Tiffin woman for alleged defamatory statements. The lawsuit was filed in Seneca County Common Pleas Court on behalf of Karen Klepper against Tiffany Thompson. It states Klepper is well-known in the community, owns and operates a non-profit charitable organization and contracted with Thompson's estranged husband to perform projects for the charity. Thompson repeatedly made various defamatory statements about Klepper and has harassed, threatened and intimidated Klepper on numerous occasions, according to the lawsuit. The lawsuit outlines defamation, intentional infliction of emotional distress and interference with business relationships. Seneca County Common Pleas Court Judge Steve Shuff is to oversee the case. Fostoria man sentenced to prison A Fostoria man who admitted he trafficked cocaine was sentenced to prison during a hearing in Seneca County Common Pleas Court Judge Steve Shuff's courtroom. Marquis D. Brown, 33, had pleaded guilty to five counts of trafficking in cocaine, two fourth-degree felonies and three fifth-degree felonies, and one count of possessing criminal tools, a fifth-degree felony. Shuff sentenced him to 42 months in prison, with credit for 65 days served, and suspended Brown's license for six months, court records state. Seneca County Prosecutor's Office agreed not to oppose a judicial release motion if Brown enters and completes CROSSWAEH. Brown must forfeit $1,282 and three phones. Fostoria man sentenced to community control A Fostoria man who admitted he assaulted a police officer was sentenced to community control by Seneca County Common Pleas Court Judge Michael Kelbley. Scyular D.J. Thompson, 26, had pleaded guilty to a charge of assault on a peace officer, a fourth-degree felony. Kelbley sentenced him to three years of community control and granted credit for 153 days served in Seneca County Jail, court record state. Thompson must undergo counseling, substance abuse rehabilitation and/or treatment as determined necessary. He also must be evaluated and complete a substance abuse rehabilitation program through Rigel Recovery Services and undergo random drug and/or alcohol urinalysis as directed by Adult Parole Authority, court records state. According to court records, Officer Brooks Hall of Fostoria Police Department was on patrol in Fostoria about 8 p.m. Dec. 29 when he saw a man yelling at a vehicle at Certified, 100 E. Lytle St. The man refused to identify himself and said, "I am one of you," they state. They state Hall could smell a strong odor of an alcohol beverage on Thompson. Thompson had been accused of reaching for Hall's Taser and saying, "This is mine." Man admits community control violation A Tiffin man admitted he violated the terms of his community control. Jacob J. Parrott, 22, admitted the violation during a hearing in Seneca County Common Pleas Court Judge Steve Shuff's courtroom, according to court records. Shuff revoked Parrott's community control and sentenced him to 11 months in prison, to be served concurrently with a sentence in a Wyandot County case, and with credit for 243 days served, court records state. Parrott had been convicted of safecracking, a fourth-degree felony, and was sentenced to community control in May 2018. He must pay restitution of $800, court records state. Tiffin woman admits violation A Tiffin woman admitted she violated the terms of her community control. Tabetha M. Matthews, 34, admitted the violation during a hearing in Seneca County Common Pleas Court Judge Steve Shuff's courtroom. Shuff continued her community control, ordered her to complete the appropriate program at CROSSWAEH and undergo random drug and/or alcohol urinalysis as directed, and granted credit for 126 days served in Seneca County Jail, according to court records. Matthews had been convicted of aggravated possession of drugs, a fifth-degree felony, and was sentenced to three years of community control in February. Illinois poised to legalize marijuana use SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — Illinois is likely to become the 11th state to allow small amounts of marijuana for recreational use after the Democratic-controlled House on Friday sent a legalization plan to Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker, who campaigned on the issue. Those 21 and older would be able to buy marijuana at licensed dispensaries beginning next year under the legislation approved on a vote of 66-47. Residents could possess up to 1 ounce (30 grams) and non-residents could have 15 grams. Illinois would become the second state to endorse the idea through its legislature, following Vermont last year. Ten states and the District of Columbia have dropped pot prohibitions, mostly through ballot initiatives.