HUTCHINSON, Kan. – A 29-year-old Hutchinson man with five drug related cases pending is scheduled for a pretrial hearing Thursday, however there was some talk earlier that the state might consider adding racketeering against Arthur Adams
Adams waived his right to a preliminary hearing and entered “not guilty” pleas in all five cases and was to consider a plea offer from the state. Should he decline the offer, the state indicated they would consider adding a charge of racketeering to one of the cases which would be a level 2 felony. He was supposed to decide by the time arraignment, but that didn’t happen. So we may learn where things stand on that issue Thursday.
In the first case, Adams is currently charged with possession of marijuana with intent to sell, possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia with intent to distribute drugs and two counts of no tax stamp. This case goes back to October 18, 2012.
He also faces charges of possession of marijuana with a prior conviction and criminal possession of a firearm, a 45-caliber handgun from a case that goes back to March 28, 2013.
The next case has just one charge, that being aggravated failure to appear for the case just mentioned. The state alleges he failed to surrender within 30-days of a bond forfeiture in the case. This goes back to April 6, 2013.
The next case charges Adams with possession of marijuana with intent to sell, possession or morphine, possession of drug paraphernalia with intent to package drugs, criminal possession of a firearm, a shotgun. He’s also charged with possession of a shotgun with a barrel less then 18” long, interference with law enforcement, defacing identification marks on a firearm and possession of personal use drug paraphernalia. These crimes allegedly occurring on October 28, 2013. Its this case, the state would consider amending the complaint adding that racketeering charge.
The final case has Adams charges him with possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia with intent to package drugs, possession of marijuana with a prior conviction and personal use drug paraphernalia. This case goes to back to October 29, 2013.
Adams has a prior conviction for possession of drugs going back to 2009.
The hearing Thursday is scheduled in front of Judge Tim Chambers.