A hearing will be held Oct. 25 on a motion for an early release from prison filed last month by Joshua Hayes.
File photo | The Lima News
LIMA — Four months into an 18-month sentence for the possession of hashish, marijuana and psilocybin mushrooms, a former Shawnee Township chiropractor and a one-time candidate for the mayoral seat in Lima is seeking early release from prison.
In a motion filed in Allen County Common Pleas Court, Joshua Hayes asked Judge Terri Kohlrieser to grant him a judicial release. A hearing on that motion is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. on Oct. 25.
Hayes, 40, was indicted on charges of possession of hashish, aggravated possession of drugs and possession of marijuana and in April he entered no-contest pleas to each of the six counts. He was found guilty on all charges and on June 20 was sentenced to 18-month prison terms on each count. Kohlrieser ordered house sentences served concurrently.
In a letter to the judge included in his motion for early release, Hayes said he has come to several realizations while behind bars.
A proponent of the virtues of holistic medicine, Hayes wrote that “just because I have strongly held beliefs does not give me the right to ignore or act in a way that is contrary to the written legislation… I have learned by lesson that my behaviors have consequences and I would not want to put myself or my family through this hardship ever again.”
Hayes said that while incarcerated he has taken a program called “transformation table,” worked in the kitchen and as a tutor in the prison high school to help other incarcerated individuals pass their GED. “I have also utilized my time to deepen my relationship with God,” he said.
He told the judge that “being away from my kids has taken away my ability to fulfill the most important role in my life — to be a father.”
Hayes said that upon release from prison, he will work at Simply Holistic in Celina and Coldwater three to four days per week and see clients at his home office weekly.
“I would like to note that I have a supportive extended family in the community that have pledged to assist me as I get back on my feet and reintegrate into the community,” Hayes wrote.
He voted to abstain from all illegal substances if released and “obtain redemption in my conduct and actions and pledge to follow the rules and adhere to any orders of post-release control.”
Hayes finished third in a four-candidate special run-off election for the mayoral seat in Lima in May 2021.
