New London man released early from prison

A New London man has been released early from prison.Brian Pickett, 44, formerly of 856 Ohio 60, was granted judicial release Monday by Huron County Common Pleas Judge Jim Conway. Pickett's underlying conviction was two counts of attempted felonious assault.As part of his three years on probation, he has 90 days of discretionary jail time hanging over his head. Pickett's probation officer has the option of when to impose part or all of the sentence without a hearing.Pickett was admitted into the Richland Correctional Institution on Sept. 8, 2017. Prison records indicate he served slightly more than 13 months of a 3 1/2-year sentence.In other hearings: • Aleesha A. Hardy, 29, most recently of 622 W. Pearl St., Willard, pleaded guilty Monday to complicity in the commission of an offense (illegal conveyance). In exchange for her guilty plea on the third-degree felony, prosecutors dismissed one count each of illegal conveyance of drugs of abuse onto the grounds of a specified governmental facility, complicity and two charges of conspiracy. Hardy, who has been unable to post a $20,000 bond, will be sentenced Dec. 13.• Michael Rowen, whose age and address weren't available, pleaded guilty Wednesday to operating a vehicle under the influence. He received treatment in lieu of a conviction on one count each of possession of fentanyl and possession of heroin. That means Rowen can avoid a conviction on his record if he doesn't violate the terms of his probation. As part of his three years of community control, he was fined $375 and sentenced to nine days in jail. • Austin B. Spears, 27, whose age and address weren't available, pleaded guilty Monday to aggravated possession of drugs. As part of his plea deal, prosecutors dismissed two counts of improperly handling firearms in a motor vehicle and one charge of selling, purchasing, distributing, or delivering dangerous drugs. In addition to the aggravated possession charge, Spears was sentenced for a prior third-degree felony, attempted tampering with evidence. He was fined $250 and must pay $80 in restitution during his three years of probation. Spears was credited with serving nine days in jail with 171 days suspended.PickettHardySpears