Two arrested on drug charges make court appearance

[ By FRED GOUGH ]

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Two people arrested back on Aug. 21 on drug related charges made court appearances this morning in front of Magistrate Judge Randy McEwen.

42-year-old Robyn Ramsey and 50-year-old Lisa McHaley were both arrested after a search warrant was served on their home in the 100 block of East Campbell.

Officers allege that they found in McHaley’s purse a zip-close bag of a crystal substance which field test positive for methamphetamine and weighed about 20 grams. There was also a lot of cash in that purse as well, according to the arrest sheet. Officers say they found new packaging materials, a scale and owe sheets in her bedroom.

Charges against her include possession of methamphetamine with intent to sell, possession of drug paraphernalia with intent to package and no tax stamp.

Also located in the bedroom underneath a pillow where Ramsey sleeps was a black pouch that contained a small plastic bag with about 1.8 grams of suspected meth, a small plastic bag that contained suspected marijuana, a cut straw and a used syringe.

Charges against Ramsey include possession of methamphetamine, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia and no tax stamp.

Again, both are free on bond and will be back in court next Wednesday for a status hearing.


Hutch man accused in solicitation case

[ By FRED GOUGH ]

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — A Hutchinson man was in court this morning where he was read the formal complaint against him.

Bret Herald is charged with a single count of indecent solicitation of a 15-year-old child. The alleged crime occurred between March 1 and June 12, 2014.

If convicted on the charge, the penalty is 17 to 46 months in prison.

His case will now be placed on a future waiver-status docket.

 

 

Judge takes under advisement suppression issue in child sex case

[ By FRED GOUGH ]

HUTCHINSON, Kan. —  Judge Trish Rose took under advisement whether to suppress a possible confession in a child sex case Thursday.

Brandon Cousins is charged with five off-grid felonies that could see him get life sentences on each count with no chance of parole for 25 years. He’s charged with two counts of aggravated criminal sodomy and three counts of aggravated indecent liberties with a child. The alleged crimes involving a then 6-year-old girl and allegedly occurred between Jan. 7 and July 23 of 2012. The investigation led to Cousins’ arrest back on Dec. 15, 2012.

The defense wants the alleged confession made by the defendant suppressed, saying the statements were not given voluntarily. The state obviously disagreed with the defense contention. Judge Rose decided she needed to listen to the taped interview for herself, which is apparently very lengthy. District Attorney Keith Schroeder told us he expected she would need to listen to the tape.

How long before she issues a written opinion is not known, but the trial is scheduled to begin in late September, so no doubt it will need to be done before that.


Corrections Violation Hearing for Hutch man scheduled for Friday

[ By FRED GOUGH ]

HUTCHINSON, Kan. —  A 22-year-old Hutchinson man who faces a Community Correction’s violation has another case that was set for a preliminary hearing Wednesday by Judge Joe McCarville.

William Hickey is charged in a new case with aggravated assault after he pulled a knife on his father back in June. Hutchinson police were called to the scene on the report of a disturbance and discovered that Hickey had threatened his father with a black pocket knife.

Judge McCarville set a preliminary hearing date in the latest case for Sept. 4.

Hickey has been on corrections for aggravated endangerment of a child in one case and attempted criminal threat in another. He was given one year on community corrections in the case with an underlying sentence of one year, six months in prison.

It was back on June 13, 2013, when Hickey reportedly tortured or cruelly beat a 1-year-old child. The child sustained injuries to her face and also her bottom. In the other case he had been charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon for threatening his father with a knife. He was also charged with criminal threat for the same incident, which occurred May 17, 2012. He then entered a plea to the reduced charges and was granted corrections.

But, a hearing over whether those corrections should be revoked is scheduled for Friday in front of Judge Tim Chambers.