HUTCHINSON, Kan. — A 28-year-old Hutchinson man accused of selling drugs twice to confidential informants was in court Friday afternoon for a pretrial hearing in front of Judge Tim Chambers where he set a motion deadline and a status hearing.

Matthew Gulick faces trial on charges of racketeering, two counts for the sale of methamphetamine, two counts of using a communications device for making a drug transaction, no tax stamp, three counts of making false information and three counts of possession of stolen property. Judge Chambers questioned the states filing the racketeering charge, asking Deputy District Attorney Tom Stanton whether everyone who sells drugs will be charged with racketeering. Stanton of course believes there is law to support the charge. Judge Chambers set September 12 as the date for a status hearing, a motions deadline and a hearing over whether the racketeering charge will be allowed at trial.

Defense Attorney Justin Bravi told the court that a plea offer has been made by the state, but has yet to discuss the case with his client. That will be brought up during the status hearing next month.

In the first case, Gulick allegedly sold less than a half gram and, in the second, just over two grams. The state also presented evidence of other crimes, including making false writing involving three pawn tickets and also being in possession of stolen property on three occasions. Those crimes occurred in October and November of last year.

He also faces trial in three other less serious cases where the charges are theft of services and intimidation of a witness.

He remains jailed on a bond of $97,000 and the judge denied a request for the reduction of bond at Friday’s hearing.