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ZACKERIAH STUART |
A man who severely beat his former girlfriend and claimed he was training her self-defense will spend two years in prison.
Zackeriah R. Stuart, 26, of West Mansfield, appeared Monday in Logan County Common Pleas Court before Judge Mark S. O’Connor for sentencing on a second-degree felonious assault charge.
He was arrested in late January after deputies of the Logan County Sheriff’s Office went to the home and convinced the victim, Heather Puff, that she could reveal the truth about the situation, prosecutors said during the plea hearing.
Deputies learned about the violence from Ms. Puff’s ex-husband, Clayton Puff, who resided in the 184 E. Center St., West Mansfield, home along with his ex-wife; their two sons; the defendant; the defendant’s brother; and Ryan Fairchild, a friend of the brother.
Mr. Puff said he noticed the bruising on his ex-wife’s legs and repeated facial injuries. When he asked, she claimed the bruising was from sparring matches with the defendant.
Deputies arrived at the residence and were greeted outside by the victim wearing gloves used by mixed martial arts fighters.
Ms. Puff kept up the ruse and said her injuries were from sparring matches with the suspect.
She finally admitted her boyfriend had been beating her. She also noted he threatened to kill her and her family if she told anyone.
The defendant told deputies he was trying to teach his girlfriend self-defense. He said in court, however, that he had a dual personality disorder that caused him to behave violently.
• Farrah Foster, 35, of Piketon, was sentenced to three years community control, ordered to complete her treatment program, six month operator’s license suspension and ordered to pay court costs for theft of drugs.
She was charged for taking prescription opiates from Allison Felty of DeGraff — an aunt of a friend — during a Thanksgiving dinner she was invited to attend.
Pleas entered
Eight defendants recently entered pleas:
• Paul Lindsay, 35, of Bellefontaine, pleaded guilty to trafficking in drugs;
• David Ramos, 23, of Florida, pleaded guilty to unlawful sexual contact with a minor;
• Lacey Grow, 33, of Bellefontaine, pleaded guilty to possession of drugs;
• Coty Cantrell, 29, of Mansfield, pleaded guilty to complicity to breaking and entering and possession of criminal tools;
• Anthony Mathews, 29, of Lakeview, pleaded guilty to possession of drugs and illegal assembly or possession of chemicals for manufacturing of drugs;
• Mandy Brazzle, 37, of Bellefontaine, pleaded guilty to possession of drugs and was granted intervention in lieu of conviction. She must complete substance abuse counseling and three years community control;
• Travis Ramos, 19, of Bellefontaine, pleaded guilty to escape and was sentenced to two years in prison; and
• Aaron Brock, 34, of Russells Point, pleaded guilty to theft.