State drops charges in drug case, will refile charges
[ By FRED GOUGH ]
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — One of two men arrested in August of last year was scheduled to go to trial after he decided against a plea, but instead the state dropped the charges, but will refile against Corey Smith.
The case against Smith and Jamaal Norris centers on accusations by the state for distribution of cocaine.
Smith had earlier waived his right to preliminary hearing in the felony case against him while he considered a plea offer from the state. He had also entered guilty pleas to three counts in a separate misdemeanor possession of marijuana case. Had he accepted the plea, the sentence in the marijuana case would have run concurrent to the felony case. That won’t happen now, in fact the state is adding two new charges in the felony case when it refiles. That will include an additional charge of possession of hydrocodone and misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia. That means the entire case will start from the beginning and the state indicates there will be no additional plea offers.
The trial may have been continued anyway because the defendant apparently wants to hire his own lawyer instead of having Alice Osburn as his attorney.
The felony case against the two centers on a search warrant being served on the home of Norris. He and Smith are both charged with possession of cocaine with intent to sell within a thousand feet of a school. Norris is also charged with possession of marijuana and a controlled substance, and also with intent to sell within a thousand feet of a school, possession of drug paraphernalia with intent to package and two counts of no tax stamp.
During the search, they allegedly located a baggie containing suspected marijuana on Norris. In his bedroom, they allegedly found more marijuana and numerous digital scales. They also apparently found cocaine and drug potpourri. There was at least 3.5 grams of cocaine, at least 25 grams of marijuana and at least 25 grams of a controlled substance.
The case against Norris is also pending.
[ By FRED GOUGH ]
One of two arrested last week formally charged in distribution case
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — One of two people arrested last week by law enforcement on drug distribution charges has been formally charged by the state.
The state has charged 24-year-old Kylie Berry with possession of methamphetamine with intent to sell within a thousand feet of a school, possession of alprazolam with intent to sell within a thousand feet of a school, possession of clonozepam and possession of drug paraphernalia.
The co-defendant, 30-year-old Anthony Everhart, is free on a $42,500 bond and should make an appearance at a later date.
It was around 9:30 p.m. last Thursday night when officers served a search warrant on a home and say they located a pink purse. Inside the purse was a coin-sized baggie with a number of different pills, over 50 in quantity. Officers say they found three needles and a metal spoon with residue. Next to the purse was an envelope containing four baggies with a crystal-like substance. In all, it weighed a little over three grams. The substance found field tested positive for methamphetamine. All of this was actually in a vehicle at the residence. Located in Everhart’s bedroom was a notebook officers believe contained owe sheets, a glass smoking pipe with residue and packaging materials. Officers say Everhart had two morphine pills in his pocket which they say he tried to hide.
The residence is located within a thousand feet of Wiley Elementary School.
In court, Berry again denied any knowledge of the drugs and again asked for a reduction in bond. That was denied by the Magistrate Judge Randy McEwen. Her bond remains at $37,000.
Three arrested after being caught inside local home
[ By FRED GOUGH ]
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Two men and a 17-year-old were arrested after allegedly breaking into a home in the 500 block of East 1 st.
According to police, 47-year-old Wendell Hawkins, 19-year-old Jordan Trezeciak and 17-year-old Daniel Gossett broke into the home which was reported just after 12:30 a.m. Hawkins and Trezeciak are both charged with residential burglary.
Both made court appearances where Hawkins claimed his wife said the home was for sale, so he entered to take a look. Both managed to get their $5,000 bonds lowered and both will be back in court once the state files formal charges.
Gosset was taken to the Reno County Juvenile Facility and could face a charge in juvenile court.
Investigation into aggravated assault case continues
[ By FRED GOUGH ]
TURON, Kan. — Reno County Sheriff’s officials continue to investigate an aggravated assault case that happened Saturday in the town of Turon.
According to their reports, deputies were called to 101 S. Burns in that city for a criminal damage report. After arriving on scene, they determined that someone had rammed a Maroon Buick into a fence, blocking Burns Street. The street was blocked off at that time for a block party.
The individual then backed up and, with more speed, rammed the fence again pushing it approximately 20 feet down the road. They say several people were standing inside the fence during that time.
The individual was not at the scene when deputies arrived and a search for the individual was unsuccessful.