Seneca County Commissioner Tyler Shuff sentenced to jail after violating probation
Tiffin, Ohio — Seneca County Commissioner Tyler Shuff was sentenced to six days in prison on Wednesday after violating the terms of his probation for his December 2021 drunk driving arrest.
Shuff, 37, was elected to his first term as district commissioner in 2020 after serving 12 years on the Tiffin City Council.
According to Tiffin-Fostoria City Court records, the violation involved the ignition interlock system installed in Shuff’s vehicle.
Following his conviction, Shuff filed a request for unlimited driving privileges in November 2022 and agreed to the installation of an ignition interlock system. An ignition interlock system is a portable car ignition breathalyzer that is installed to prevent users from starting their vehicle after drinking alcohol. The court granted Shuff’s request and the device was installed in his vehicle on November 21, 2022.
According to court documents, on January 10, 2023, Shuff committed an ignition interlock device violation when he attempted to operate his vehicle with a positive alcohol reading on the ignition interlock system, which prevented the vehicle from starting.
During a likely hearing Wednesday, visiting judge Paul G. Lux found Shuff guilty of violating the terms of his parole and sentenced him to six days in prison.
Shuff has an opportunity to participate in a three-day alcohol program in exchange for three days of prison credit. The program must be completed before April 1, 2023 when Shuff begins his sentence, or he must serve the full six days in prison.
The judge also suspended Shuff’s driver’s license effective immediately through February 1, 2024, and extended his probation through the same date.
On December 27, 2021, Shuff was driving a black 2020 Dodge Ram pickup truck eastbound on Water Street when he was stopped by an Ohio State Highway Patrol officer for failing to use a turn signal, according to a police report.
During the traffic stop, the officer suspected Shuff was intoxicated and conducted a breathalyser test. According to the police report, Shuff exceeded a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.228, nearly three times the legal limit of 0.08. Shuff was then arrested and charged with OVI and a turn signal injury.
Shuff pleaded no-appeal on April 18, 2022. He was found guilty and sentenced to 90 days in prison with 84 days probation, but his sentence was stayed pending appeal. His appeal was dismissed by the Ohio Third District Court of Appeals in November 2022.
Commissioners Anthony Paradiso and Bill Frankart released a joint statement after hearing Shuff on Wednesday.
“Drinking and driving is a serious crime and all citizens, regardless of position or status, must face the consequences of their actions. On a personal level, we pray for Tyler and want only the best for him in the future,” Paradiso and Frankart said in the statement made available to TiffinOhio.net.
