Instead of facing a preliminary hearing, one of two men arrested back on October 23, on marijuana distribution charges saw those charges dismissed by the state.

Kiel Bale along with Rusty Shawn Decker were both arrested and charged with possession of marijuana with intent to sell, possession of drug paraphernalia with intent to distribute and no drug tax stamp. But, Decker entered a plea in the case, and told the court that the drugs were his, not Bales. Deputy District Attorney Tom Stanton says they really had no evidence to dispute that, so they decided to drop the charges against him.

Decker got a plea deal and was convicted of the possession of marijuana with intent to sell and will be sentenced on July 13 in front of Judge Trish Rose.

The case starts with Hutchinson Police Officer David Post spotting a black Ford Expedition driving north on Plum from 17th. The vehicle then turned east on 30th, then turned south on Acres Rd. The vehicle then stopped in the 2800 block of Acres Rd, where the officer then made contact with the two men inside.

They discovered Decker had some outstanding warrants and he was placed under arrest, and then the officer says he smelled marijuana. They discovered a small black container with suspected marijuana, then inside a speaker box, they found more suspected pot which weighed about 30-grams. Also found was some coin baggies, and a silver scale.