Suspect in methamphetamine manufacturing case enters pleas
HUTCHINSON, Kan. – A Hutchinson area man entered pleas Friday morning to an amended complaint filed by the state involving methamphetamine.
Jeffrey Hamilton entered pleas to conspiracy to manufacture methamphetamine, possession of a precursor to make meth, in this case, lithium metal, and ephedrine possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of anhydrous ammonia. He entered the “guilty” pleas as part of an agreement with the state.
The arrest occurred back on March 14 of last year when the Reno County Drug Enforcement Unit served a search warrant on his property at 7101 Pony Acres Rd. Hamilton was the only one present. He was allegedly three-fourths of the way from completing his effort to make methamphetamine and was ready to go through what they call the “gassing process.” They allegedly found 3 to 4 ounces of a grunge material while doing the search. They also found the active ingredients to make meth.
With him entering the pleas, sentencing is set for March 27. Both sides will recommend the maximum sentence on each count with each count running consecutive with each other. They will then recommend that Hamilton be placed on community corrections.
Defendant in marijuana distribution case granted corrections
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — A 23-year-old man convicted in a sale of marijuana case was sentenced Friday morning and granted a year and six months on community corrections on an underlying sentence of a year and three months.
Christopher Boyd had entered pleas to possession of marijuana with intent to sell, possession of drug paraphernalia with intent to package, possession of marijuana and personal use drug paraphernalia in the case that goes back to Feb. 22 of last year.
The arrest came after a search warrant was served on a home in the 600 block of West 7th. A blue backpack was found that contained a glass jar with the marijuana. Also found was over $1,600 in cash. They also found a pipe with residue, and in his car was a scale with marijuana on it. In all, 18 grams of pot were seized
Appeals Court upholds sentence for Wichita man in prison case
TOPEKA, Kan. — The Kansas Court of Appeals upheld the conviction and sentence for a 38-year-old inmate who was sentenced to 21 years for attempted second-degree murder, aggravated battery of a law enforcement officer and trafficking contraband in a penal institution. Dejaun Wilkerson was already serving a hard-50 life sentence for first-degree murder.
Wilkerson was convicted of attacking William Kendall, a former sergeant at the Hutchinson Correctional Facility Central Unit back on July 6, 2010. Kendall suffered severe injuries when Wilkerson beat him with his hands and feet. The officer had to retire from his position because of those injuries. That included a busted jaw, broken nose and bumps on his head and shoulder, and a laceration to the back of the head. One of the bumps to the head was behind his ear and has affected his hearing.
Wilkerson was serving the Hard 50 for a conviction for murder in the first degree and attempted first-degree murder for a case out of Sedgwick County that occurred back in September of 2001.