Stafford man busted again for DUI
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — A 32-year-old Stafford man failed to get his bond lowered when he appeared in Reno County District Court Monday on a number of charges.
Robert Shoemate was arrested by the Kansas Highway Patrol around 8:30 p.m. Saturday, when he was allegedly driving under the influence and committing other crimes. That includes criminal possession of firearm, defacing a firearm, endangering a child, illegal transportation of alcohol, no insurance and driving while a habitual violator.
Shoemate was stopped by the trooper on U.S. 50 near Sylvia in western Reno County. The trooper also found that Shoemate had a warrant out of Haskell County.
In court, he requested a reduction of the bond of $6,700, but the state objected stating that his driving record is 178 pages long. Plus, according to Assistant District Attorney Andrew Davidson, this would be his 5th DUI and has four convictions for driving while suspended. The judge agreed and left the bond the same.
According to the Kansas Department of Corrections, Shoemate is also on corrections for a DUI conviction out of Meade County, but also has a conviction in Seward County.
His case is now scheduled for a status on Wednesday to give the state a little time to file formal charges.
Hutchinson woman now has been warrant with $100,000 bond
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — A 30-year-old Hutchinson woman facing charges in two cases failed to show in court Monday for one of them which resulted in the state requesting and granted a bench warrant with a $100,000 bond.
The case involves the Reno County Drug Unit stopping the vehicle driven by Jessica Whittier where they found 18 grams of methamphetamine, a distribution amount of high-grade marijuana, new packaging materials and a digital scale. She then gave officers consent to search a motel room where, located inside a safe, another distribution amount of high-grade marijuana and U.S. Currency were found. This occurring back on August of last year.
Charges include possession of methamphetamine and marijuana with intent to sell, possession of drug paraphernalia with intent to package and two counts of no drug tax stamp as well as possession of other prescription drugs. The state also filed a motion to revoke her original bond in this case.
She has been scheduled for a preliminary hearing in this case, but was a no show. Her attorney requested a continuance for a week to give her time to locate her client. The state wanted the bench warrant because of another case is pending, plus they also filed a motion to revoke her previous bond because of testing positive for meth while on bond supervision.
Whittier is scheduled for trial next week in a case where she was arrested along with Dominic Vargas and Robert Vigil. She’s charged with two counts of distribution of drugs, criminal use of weapons, possession of drug paraphernalia and no tax stamp. That case goes back to April 30, 2013.
Vigil was sentenced to nearly seven and a half years in prison, which was jointly recommended by both the state and the defense. He was then granted three years community corrections after the state indicated the majority of drugs and the handgun found belonged to Whittier. Vargas entered guilty pleas in the three cases against him and he was given a controlling sentence of three years in prison.
Hutch man enters plea to lesser charges in drug distribution case
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — A 62-year-old Hutchinson man facing charges of possession of methamphetamine with intent to sell, possession of drug paraphernalia with intent to distribute, no tax stamp, possession of meth and possession of drug paraphernalia caught a break Monday when he entered “no contest” pleas to lesser charges.
Eugene Hanson was arrested back on January 8, 2014, after a search warrant was served on his home in the 1000 block of East Sherman. They allegedly found drugs and paraphernalia leading to his arrest.
In court, he agreed to enter a plea to possession of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia, while the state dropped the other charges. He also agreed to not commit any crimes while awaiting sentencing or the plea would be invalid. He will also have to pay all fees and fines the court deems appropriate.
Although he entered the plea in front of Magistrate Judge Randy McEwen, sentencing will be on May 15, in front of Judge Trish Rose.
Three arrested on drugs charges at local fast food restaurant
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Three people were arrested on various drug charges over the weekend. It happened just before 3 a.m. Saturday morning at the McDonald’s location at 1407 East 11th.
20-year-old Terrell M. Kane of South Hutchinson was arrested for possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was also charged with intent to distribute drugs, no tax stamp and DUI.
21-year-old Caitlynne Perry and 21-year-old Kayla Joy, both of Hutchinson were arrested for possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia.
All three were able to post bond meaning any court appearance will come later in the week.