Two Wichita brothers busted in South Hutch on drug charges
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Two brothers from Wichita are both jailed on drug distribution charges after they were arrested by the Reno County Drug Unit early Thursday morning.
28-year-old Gary Jontra and 30-year-old James Jontra are both charged with distribution of methamphetamine, no tax stamp and use of an electronic communications device to make a drug transaction.
The arrest came at the Kwik Shop at 8 N. Main in South Hutchinson. A green Honda with three people inside arrived at that location and a male who was sitting in the rear passenger seat got into the passenger seat of a vehicle driven by a drug enforcement officer. He apparently exchanged $1,360 for approximately one ounce of meth. The male who sold the meth was identified as James Jontra who, under Miranda, admitted he sold the meth to the officer and did so for a $100 profit.
His brother Gary was driving the Honda and 911 Dispatch was able to confirm that he had two outstanding warrants. The phone used to make the drug transaction was found in the purse of Melissa Ray, who was a passenger in the vehicle. She is apparently the girlfriend of Gary Jontra. She was arrested for illegal transportation of liquor and was able to post bond.
In court, both brothers requested a reduction of their bond of $12,000, which was denied. James Jontra claimed that he was just trying to get his brother out of trouble and ended up getting himself in trouble. Gary Jontra apparently has pending cases in Sedgwick County.
Magistrate Judge Randy McEwen set a status hearing for the Reno County case on Nov. 26.
Female parolee arrested on aggravated battery charge
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — A 27-year-old woman on parole for prior crimes finds herself in trouble again after she was arrested for a domestic case where she is alleged to have attacked her boyfriend.
Sara Alcorn is jailed on a charge of aggravated battery, failure to appear and violation of the conditions of release for parole.
The case apparently involves her swinging a knife and also striking her boyfriend, according to statements made in court. She denied that she had a knife and that the victim may have had his fingers caught in a door. The incident occurred late night Wednesday into early Thursday morning.
She asked for a reduction of bond saying she’s pregnant and about to have a child. The state indicated that the bond should not be lowered, noting she had just been released from prison. Assistant District Attorney Andrew Davidson asked that the bond be increased. Magistrate Judge Randy McEwen agreed and increased it from $5,000 to $7,500.
Alcorn was released from prison back in March for convictions of drugs, battery, two convictions for aggravated failure to appear and theft. She is listed as an absconder on the Kansas Department of Correction’s website.
She’ll be back in court for a status hearing on Nov. 26.
Suspect in solicitation case wants evidence suppressed
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The 55-year-old Hutchinson man arrested for electronic solicitation and aggravated violation of the offender registration act is scheduled for court Friday where he’s seeking to have some evidence suppressed at trial. However, as of Friday, the defense for Steven Peterman had not filed the motion. 
Peterman was arrested back on Feb. 12 when he was allegedly waiting to pick up an underage girl in the parking lot of the Hutchinson Mall.
He is accused of engaging in conversations via cell phone with Sheriff Detective Diana Skomal, who posed as the 15-year-old. He allegedly went to the mall to pick her up with the intentions of assisting her in running away from home, but also to teach her sex. That according to a preliminary hearing testimony.
The case started when Sheriff Officials discovered that he had a cell phone used for calls, text messages and internet access which he didn’t register with the sheriff’s office within 3 days of getting it, which is required. They apparently got an anonymous tip and it was during that time when they were trying to determine if in fact this phone belonged to him that the conversations with Detective Skomal began. There was one conversation that became very graphic and sexual in nature. Later text messages led to the decision to meet at the mall.
Peterman has served time in prison for two counts of attempted rape and electronic solicitation of a child from a case in 2001. But, he also has convictions for three counts of theft, perjury and issuing a worthless check. Those cases go back to 1979 and 1980.
Sentencing hearing in drug distribution case set for Friday
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — A 42-year-old man convicted in a case involving the distribution of drugs is scheduled for sentencing Friday in front of Judge Trish Rose.
Mark Wells was arrested on Nov. 8, 2012, after the Reno County Drug Unit served a search warrant on a 2012 Ford Focus driven by the defendant. He had pulled up to a residence in the 1000 block of North Washington and, as they searched the trunk, allegedly found several zip-close bags of methamphetamine, about 400 grams all together. There were also additional bags used for packaging. Wells allegedly had a glass pipe on him with residue in his pocket.
The sentencing hearing is scheduled for 3:30 p.m.