Trafficking and rape trial for former bonding agent continues
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The trial for a former bonding agent charged with human trafficking and rape continued Thursday with a Reno County Sheriff’s Detective on the stand.
Dwight Jurgens is charged with four counts of aggravated human trafficking, two counts of attempting to commit aggravated human trafficking, rape and aggravated criminal sodomy. The human trafficking and aggravated counts are charged due to his authority of controlling persons because of his work in a bonding business. He worked for TNT bonding at the time of his arrest.
Detective Diana Skomal was on the stand Thursday testifying about the investigation into the allegations involving the four alleged victims and Jurgens. The state also is showing videos and playing audio of those interviews with Skomal during the investigation.
The state contends that the victims were forced into providing sexual favors with the threat that they could be sent back to jail if they didn’t. The defense question the credibility of the alleged victims and says any sex between any of the women was consensual.
Deputy District Attorney Tom Stanton says he expect to wrap up his case by noon Friday. The defense will then be able to present any evidence or testimony in the afternoon. That means the jury may not get the case until some time Friday afternoon.
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Hutch man waives preliminary hearing in two new criminal cases
While a 33-year-old Hutchinson man accused of crimes in five cases is awaiting trial, he waived his right to a preliminary hearing in two others. 
In the latest cases, Maurice Miles is charged with six counts of forgery and two counts of theft by deception. The crimes in this case are alleged to have occurred in January and February of last year. The businesses involved include Pic Quik, Dillon’s and Papa Johns. In the second case, he’s charged with single counts of forgery and theft by deception with these crimes occurring in February.
Miles had rejected a plea offer in the five other cases against him, so he awaits trial in front of Judge Tim Chambers.
The first case he is charged with being in possession of stolen property, in this case a motorcycle, back on May 18, 2012. He is also charged with possession of stolen property for taking a 2000 Ford Ranger back on July 5, 2012. Miles in a third case is charged with burglary, allegedly occurring at a building on 5016 E. 4th, on July 22. He’s also charged with felony theft for stealing a 2003 Chevy Suburban. The final case goes back to July 9, where he’s charged with interference with law enforcement, and driving while revoked.
Miles had been on corrections for obstruction, aggravated false impersonation, driving while suspended, felony theft, and forgery. But, he’s served prison time for unlawful manufacturing, and numerous burglary and theft convictions, some going back to the 1990s.
Miles remains jailed on a $79,500 bond and he’ll be arraigned for the two latest cases on Oct. 6, also in front of Judge Chambers.
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State refile charges against suspected drug dealer
After the state dropped the charges against one of two men arrested in August of last year on drug charges, they have now refiled the case and Corey Allen Smith was in court Thursday morning for the formal reading of the charges. 
Smith is now charged with possession of cocaine and marijuana, both with the intent to distribute within a thousand feet of a school, possession of cocaine, possession of hydrocodone, two counts of no drug tax stamp, and two counts of possession of drug paraphernalia, one with intent to package drugs for sale and the other for personal use.
Smith had earlier waived his right to preliminary hearing in the felony case against him while he considered a plea offer from the state. He had also entered guilty pleas to three counts in a separate misdemeanor possession of marijuana case. Had he accepted the plea, the sentence in the marijuana case would have run concurrent to the felony case. That won’t happen now, in fact the state added the charges of possession of hydrocodone and misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia.
The felony case against Smith and co-defendant Jamaal Norris centers on a search warrant being served on the home of Norris. During the search, officers allegedly located a baggie containing suspected marijuana on Norris. They say that in a bedroom, they found more marijuana and numerous digital scales. They also apparently found cocaine and drug potpourri. There was at least 3.5 grams of cocaine, at least 25 grams of marijuana and at least 25 grams of a controlled substance.
The case against Smith will now move to a waiver-status docket in front of Judge Joe McCarville.
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Sentencing for second suspect in copper theft case set for Friday
The second suspect in the burglary of several businesses and individuals is scheduled for sentencing Friday.
30-year-old Anthony Treaster entered pleas for two counts of burglary, possession of methamphetamine, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, felony theft and conspiracy to commit burglary
Treaster and 28-year-old Robin Davis were charged in the case. She entered pleas in the case which involved stealing copper valued at $92,000. Judge Joe McCarville granted her Community Corrections for two years on a two year underlying sentence. The state requested a two month sanction and the judge granted that, but then suspended the jail time.
In the criminal complaint, the state says the crimes occurred between Feb. 24, and April 2. Copper was stolen from New Smoke, Reno County Head Start, the Salvation Army, L.R. Boyd & Company, Old Mission Heritage Funeral Home, Eggers Investments and Kelly J. Graber, and the old Betts Bakery.
Treaster has prior convictions for possession of drugs and criminal possession of weapons for cases going back to 2011. That will affect the amount of time he will serve in prison. He is scheduled to be sentenced in front of Judge Trish Rose.