Hutch man scheduled for sentencing Friday in a child sex case
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — A 21-year-old man who entered pleas to half of the 18 counts against him is scheduled for sentencing Friday.
Matthew O’Keefe was convicted of charges involving soliciting sex with a 13 year old and several others.
O’Keefe was convicted of seven counts of electronic solicitation, one count of attempted aggravated indecent liberties with a child and one count of aggravated indecent solicitation of a child
The solicitation of one of the victims started the investigation when a 13-year-old girl reported to police back on March 22 that he solicited her for sex on Facebook. They then became involved and Detective Scott Carlton made contact with O’Keefe on the site as a 15-year-old girl and began chatting with him. They decided to meet on April 4 at Rice Park on the city’s west side. O’Keefe showed up thinking he was going to meet the 15-year-old girl, but met police instead. O’Keefe apparently used the name John Curtis when contacting the six victims.
Sentencing is scheduled for Friday in front of Judge Joe McCarville.
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Hutch man makes appearance in marijuana distribution case
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — A 20-year-old Hutchinson man arrested on a warrant back on Oct. 30 was in court Thursday morning where he was read the criminal complaint charging him with two level three drug felonies.
Cole Castle is charged with distribution of marijuana and conspiracy to distribute marijuana. The state alleges that, on July 27, he distributed somewhere between 25 and 450 grams of marijuana. The other charge alleges that he conspired with another individual, Jonathan Payne, to commit or assist to commit the distribution of the pot. The state says the two arranged using a telephone to distribute the marijuana. They are alleged to have driven to a home in the 1500 block of East 56th, got the marijuana and then delivered to a home in the 1500 block of North Monroe.
If convicted of the two felonies, he could be sentenced to nearly seven years on each count.
With the charges filed, the case now moves to a waiver-status docket on Dec. 9.
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Wichita man scheduled for sentencing in local drug distribution case
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — One of the defendants in a drug case who entered ‘guilty’ pleas to an amended complaint filed by the state is scheduled to be sentenced Friday.
22-year-old Dwayne Lewis of Wichita and 24-year-old Rayland Brown were arrested and charged with possession of crack cocaine and marijuana, both with intent to distribute, and possession of drug paraphernalia with intent to package.
But, Lewis entered pleas to possession of marijuana with intent to sell, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of two different types of prescription drugs and driving while an habitual violator.
Judge Tim Chambers had earlier ordered Lewis to prison for the sale of drugs, possession of drug paraphernalia and no tax stamp.
The co-defendant agreed to the plea offer and was convicted of possession of crack cocaine, possession of marijuana, both with intent to distribute and possession of drug paraphernalia with intent to package for sale. Brown was also convicted in another case for the sale of cocaine going back to Feb. 27, 2013. He was given 32 months in prison in each case. The two sentences were ordered to run concurrent to each other, but consecutive to a third case. That included convictions for sale of drugs, being in possession of a precursor for the manufacture of methamphetamine, possession of opiates and no drug tax stamp.
This latest case centers on a Hutchinson Police Officer making a traffic stop in the 500 block of East 1st. That allegedly led to the discovery of crack cocaine and marijuana, both allegedly in a distribution amount and occurring in May of 2013.
Sentencing is in front of Judge Tim Chambers.