Suspect in officer-involved shooting didn’t appear in court as expected
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Hutchinson man wounded by a Hutchinson Police officer did not appear in court Wednesday morning as expected.
Justin Matthews was released from Via Christi St. Francis Regional Medical Center on Tuesday after receiving treatment for a gunshot wound to his right shoulder. He is currently jailed on suspicion of aggravated assault, criminal threat and aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer with a bond of $100,000. Court officials told us that they have yet to receive any paperwork, so no appearance occurred.
We were told that K.B.I. investigators were meeting with District Attorney Keith Schroeder over what occurred Monday evening in the front yard of a home at 300 E. 10th.
Police Sergeant Josh Radloff was the first to arrive at the scene Monday and confronted the suspect who is alleged to have charged at him with a knife. The officer then fired, wounding Matthews.
He is expected in court soon since he didn’t appear Wednesday.
———-
Hutch man waives hearing in marijuana distribution case
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The 32-year-old man arrested on a marijuana distribution charge after a search warrant was served on his home was back in court Wednesday where his case was scheduled for a preliminary hearing, this after Gerardo Saucedo decided earlier to accept a plea offer from the state.
The hearing started with Drug Unit Detective Jeremy Hedges taking the stand and being sworn in, but Deputy District Attorney Tom Stanton then advised the court that he would waive that hearing instead. Stanton said that decision was made by Defense Attorney Shaun Lautz.
Saucedo then was told of the rights he was giving up and was arraigned on the charges by Judge Joe McCarville and he entered “not guilty” pleas. Those charges include possession of marijuana with intent to sell, possession of drug paraphernalia with intent to distribute, and no drug tax stamp.
The state alleges that he had around 90 pounds of marijuana in brick form, believed to be from Mexico. But they also allegedly found numerous containers of high-grade marijuana which were found scattered throughout the home, as well as new packaging materials, a digital scale and some weapons.
The first charge is a level one drug felony with a maximum sentence of 17 years in prison.
His case will now move before Judge Tim Chambers where it will be scheduled for a possible jury trial.
———-
Hutchinson man jailed after break in denied bond reduction
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The 30-year-old man taken to jail Monday evening after he was allegedly caught breaking into a business at 1603 E. 4th, appeared via video from the county jail Wednesday where he was told of the potential charges.
Lenny Cherry is suspected of aggravated robbery, aggravated burglary, aggravated assault, felony theft and criminal damage to property.
He’s suspected of breaking into Barkman Small Engine Repair and threatening a man who confronted him. This occurred just before 7 p.m.
He’s jailed on a bond of $41,750 and a request for a reduction of bond was denied by Magistrate Judge Randy McEwen. He’ll be back in court on Nov. 19.
———-
Aggravated kidnapping case continued to Nov. 19
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — A 22-year-old Hutchinson man arrested on suspicion of aggravated kidnapping, criminal damage to property and interference with law enforcement made a brief appearance via video from the county jail, however his case was continued to Nov. 19, when he’s expected to be read the formal charges.
Demetrius Cantu is accused of battering his girlfriend and grabbing her by the hair and forcing her back into a home as she tried to leave to get away from him. This happened in the 800 block of East 5th, just before 1 a.m. Sunday.
Police arrived and could see the two arguing inside the home. Cantu refused to open the door, so they forced their way in and took Cantu into custody. He is alleged to have knocked her head into a wall, causing some damage to the plaster.
He remains jailed on a bond set at $101,750.