Bond Reduction Denied for Lucas Man Accused of Threatening Deputy’s Children
ASHLAND — A magistrate has denied a request to reduce the $100,000 bond imposed on a Lucas man accused of possessing cocaine and threatening to burn an Ashland County Sheriff’s deputy’s children alive.
Michael David Boyer, 42, appeared by video Monday, July 27, in Ashland County Common Pleas Court with his court-appointed attorney, Benjamin Zushin.
Assistant Ashland County Prosecutor James Reese represented the state during the hearing before Magistrate Paul T. Lange.
Through his attorney, Boyer entered a plea of not guilty to the charges contained in the complaint.
Boyer is charged with retaliation, a third-degree felony, and possession of cocaine, a fifth-degree felony.
During Monday’s hearing, Boyer’s attorney asked the court to reduce his $100,000 bond. The state objected to the request.
Lange took the matter under advisement before denying the motion.
“The Court, having considered the Defendant’s motion to modify bond along with the statutory factors, finds the Defendant’s request to modify bond to not be well-taken,” the magistrate’s order states.
Lange cited Boyer’s criminal history and the seriousness of the charges when denying the request. The existing $100,000 bond remains in effect.
Boyer’s preliminary hearing is scheduled for 3 p.m. Thursday, July 30, by video. If Boyer posts bond before the hearing, he must appear at the Ashland County Common Pleas Court.
Boyer appeared by video without an attorney during an initial appearance July 24.
During that hearing, the court advised Boyer of his right to remain silent, his right to a preliminary hearing, his right to a jury trial and his right to be represented by an attorney.
Boyer told the court he wanted an attorney but could not afford to hire one. Following an indigency hearing, Lange appointed Zushin to represent him.
Boyer had refused to participate in his original July 22 bond hearing. A deputy told the court at the time that Boyer was being held in a padded cell and would not come out.
Charges Stem From U.S. 250 Traffic Stop
The charges originated from a July 20 traffic stop near the U.S. Route 250 Bypass and Cleveland Avenue in Ashland.
Ashland County Sheriff’s Deputy Stone reportedly stopped Boyer after clocking his red 2008 Pontiac traveling 79 mph in a 50-mph zone.
Boyer reportedly refused Stone’s request for permission to search the vehicle. Deputy Wenrich arrived with a K-9, which allegedly gave a positive indication near the vehicle’s front passenger side.
Boyer was placed in the back of Stone’s cruiser without handcuffs while deputies searched the Pontiac. Authorities allegedly discovered cocaine inside the vehicle.
Ashland County Prosecutor Christopher R. Tunnell previously told the court that Stone initially planned to issue Boyer a citation and submit the case to prosecutors for review.
However, when Stone opened the cruiser door, Boyer allegedly began threatening the deputy and making statements in which he referred to himself as both the “son of God” and the “Antichrist.”
Tunnell alleged that Boyer threatened to burn Stone’s children alive “in various ways.”
Ashland Police officers were called to assist deputies with safely removing Boyer from the cruiser. Emergency medical personnel were also requested to evaluate him before he was transported to the Ashland County Jail.
If Boyer posts the $100,000 bond, he must remain in Ohio, follow all laws and court orders, and refrain from using or possessing alcohol or drugs. He would also be subject to random testing and enrollment in the court’s bond-testing program.
Boyer would be required to wear a GPS monitor, follow a curfew from 9 p.m. until 6 a.m. and have no direct or indirect contact with Stone.
Court records identify the case as State of Ohio v. Michael D. Boyer, case number 26-CRI-128.
All charges are allegations. Boyer is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
