Great Bend man expected back in court on meth charges
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — A 38-year-old Great Bend man jailed last week here in Reno County after he allegedly made a drug sale at the Kwik Shop in Haven is expected in court Wednesday for the formal reading of charges.
Law enforcement allege that Eduardo Nunez had parked at the store and went inside. DEU officers located a red and white can and found a baggie with a crystal-like substance inside that is believed to be methamphetamine. It weighed about 31 grams. A large amount of cash was found inside the console of the vehicle Nunez was driving.
Potential charges include possession of methamphetamine with intent to sell and no tax stamp. In court, the bond was left at $40,000. He is expected back in court next Wednesday to hear formal charges.
It was about a month ago that he was arrested here in Reno County on drug charges and an outstanding warrant after a traffic stop.
Charges in the earlier case include possession of methamphetamine with intent to sell, possession of hydrocodone, no tax stamp, driving while suspended, and no proof of insurance. He also had an outstanding warrant out of Barton County.
He was stopped at Arlington and Halstead Road, south of Yoder, by a Reno County Sheriff Deputy for going 84 in a 55 mph zone.
In this latest case, he was believed to have been coming from Wichita and was being observed by the Reno County Drug Unit in Haven.
Hutch man on trial in assault case
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The jury trial for a 22-year-old Hutchinson man charged with aggravated assault has gotten underway.
William Hickey is facing the jury after he allegedly pulled a knife on his father back on June 27, of last year. Hutchinson police were called to the scene on the report of a disturbance and discovered that Hickey had threatened his father with a black pocket knife. It was found in the trunk of a car outside the home according to police testimony.
Hickey’s father and brother were also on the stand over the fight that evening. Also included was damage to a window and door of the home. The defendants brother testified that he never saw his brother with a knife, however that may have occurred in a different room from where he was.
Hickey has been on corrections for aggravated endangerment of a child in one case and attempted criminal threat in another.
It was back on June 13, 2013, when Hickey reportedly tortured or cruelly beat a 1-year-old child. The child sustained injuries to her face and also her bottom. In the other case he had been charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon for threatening his father with a knife. He was also charged with criminal threat for the same incident, which occurred May 17, 2012. He then entered a plea to the reduced charges and was granted corrections.
The trial in this latest case is being heard in front of Judge Tim Chambers.
Multiple burglary trial underway
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The jury trial for a Missouri man accused of 19 local burglaries here in Hutchinson is also underway.
Joseph Paul Jones Jr. is accused of 45 counts involving the alleged crimes which occurred back in the early morning hours of May 14 of last year. He’s accused of breaking into the local businesses by prying open doors or breaking the glass windows with a crow bar. Jones is also accused of cutting the telephone lines at several businesses before making entry.
Testimony Tuesday afternoon consisted mainly of business owners discovering the damage to their business and items taken including cash. They also told the jury of how they believe the burglar or burglars managed to get in.
Police were able to get video that showed a man inside the Papa Murphy’s pizza store on North Main and from that sent a still image to a parole officer with the Missouri Department of Corrections who identified that man as being Jones.
The trial is being held in front of Judge Trish Rose.
Reno County man enters plea in indecent liberties case
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The man accused of inappropriate sexual contact with a 14-year-old girl was scheduled for a preliminary hearing on Tuesday, but entered a plea in the case as charged.
Cody Buck is now guilty of one count of indecent liberties with a child which allegedly occurred in July of 2013. Sheriff officials say he was seventeen at the time and occurred in the Turon area of Reno County. The case started when sheriff investigators began looking into a case of a man kissing a minor child which led to the discovery of the more serious encounter involving the two.
Although he entered the plea in front of Magistrate Judge Randy McEwen, sentencing will be handled by Judge Trish Rose next month.
Burrton woman arrested for threatening local teen
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — A 38-year-old Burrton woman is free on bond after her arrest late Monday. Gayle Benitiz face potential charges of aggravated assault, aggravated burglary and theft.
She’s accused of entering a residence on Katie Drive and threatening a 19-year old with a weapon. According to the police bulletin, the victim didn’t know Benitiz.
The incident reported to police around 11:40 p.m.