Republic man sentenced on aggravated menacing, domestic violence charges

REPUBLIC, Ohio — A Republic man has been sentenced to jail after victims said he went home upset, pushed a female family member, and fired a gun inside the residence.

53-year-old Gerald V. Dryfuse was charged over the weekend with domestic violence, a first-degree misdemeanor, and aggravated menacing, also a first-degree misdemeanor.

Dryfuse pleaded no contest to both charges and was found guilty Monday in Tiffin-Fostoria Municipal Court.

On Sunday, the Seneca County Sheriff’s Office took a complaint regarding domestic violence and the discharge of a firearm inside of a residence.

A deputy spoke to the victims, a 50-year-old woman and her 16-year-old daughter, who advised that Dryfuse came home Saturday night upset about something.

According to a police report, the 50-year-old woman told police that Dryfuse pushed her daughter, and he was eventually asked to leave after she got between the two.

Dryfuse then went upstairs and came back with a .45 caliber handgun. The woman told police that Dryfuse said “he wasn’t scared,” and proceeded to put a clip in the gun in front of them. She then stated that Dryfuse pointed the gun at his head, then moved so that when he fired the gun, it hit the wall approximately three feet away from where they were sitting on a couch.

Dryfuse then went outside, fired off a few rounds in the road, and went upstairs again to retrieve his rifle and shotgun before leaving the residence, according to court records.

According to a police report, a Seneca County Sheriff’s Office deputy located and photographed the hole in the wall inside the residence, as well as the aluminum siding on the outside of the residence where the bullet exited the home. The spent casing of the .45 caliber round was also collected as evidence.

Dryfuse was sentenced Monday to 180 days in jail with 150 days suspended, ordered to pay a fine of $150 on both charges, and sentenced to probation for three years. Dryfuse is to have no contact with the victims or the victims’ address. He must avoid bars, alcohol, and illegal drugs, and is required to complete counseling at Firelands.