Man charged in meth manufacturing cases turns down plea offer
A 37-year-old man facing trial on charges in two manufacturing cases will have a preliminary hearing in the latest one after he turned down a plea offer from the state in both.
In this latest case, Ryan Peterson is charged with the manufacturing of meth or in the alternative, attempt to manufacture meth. Other charges include possession of meth with intent to sell, possession of morphine, possession of oxycodone, possession of hydromorphone, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia with intent to distribute drugs. These crimes allegedly occurred back on May 23.
In court, Deputy District Attorney Tom Stanton asked Judge Joe McCarville to make the defendant understand that they are not obligated to make any additional offers in either case. The offer could have seen him serve about 13 and a half years. But, now considering the sentences in the two cases would run consecutive to each other, he could be looking at 41 and a half years in prison.
Judge McCarville set a preliminary hearing date of Nov. 4.
Peterson faces trial for manufacture of meth, possession of ephedrine, lithium metal, and anhydrous ammonia—all with the intent to manufacture—and possession of stolen property, that being a stolen Lincoln welder. This case started on June 6, 2012, when law enforcement and firefighters arrived at a residence at 8806 S. K-17 Highway for the report of a vehicle fire. The vehicle was parked in a driveway and not within the garage, nor covered by any structure. They managed to put the fire out quickly and entered a garage to ensure there was no damage to the structure or hot-spots within the garage and allegedly found items consistent with the manufacture of meth.
Peterson is no stranger to law enforcement having been convicted of possession of drugs, paraphernalia and possession of ephedrine and unlawful manufacture. Those crimes occurred in February of 2006.
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Judge sets preliminary hearing date in child sex case
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — A local man arrested for aggravated indecent liberties with a child apparently turned down a plea offer by the state and the case will proceed to a preliminary hearing.
Etric Laronne Jones II was arrested on a warrant for the alleged crime that occurred back on Dec. 13, 2012. District Attorney Keith Schroeder says the victim, a 15-year-old girl at the time, didn’t report the crime until Feb. 1, 2013, which led to the investigation’s beginning. Schroeder says he filed the charge against Jones back on Dec. 20, 2013, and a warrant was issued for the arrest.
Jones, who was 18 at the time of the crime, is alleged to have forced the 15 year old into having sex. She claims that she told him no, while Jones claims she never said that. Schroeder says the two left school together and parked in an alley and things escalated from there.
Judge Joe McCarville set a preliminary hearing date for Nov. 5.
Jones is free on bond.