Wichita man waives preliminary hearing, faces trial in South Hutch drug case
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — One of two Wichita brothers accused of drug charges waived his right to a preliminary hearing Thursday. 28-year-old Gary Jontra will now face arraignment and a possible jury trial
He along with his 30-year-old brother James Jontra were both arrested for distribution of methamphetamine, conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and use of an electronic communications device to make a drug transaction.
The arrest came back on Nov. 20 at the Kwik Shop at 8 N. Main in South Hutchinson. A green Honda with three people inside arrived at that location and James Jontra, who was sitting in the rear passenger seat of his brother’s car, got into the passenger seat of a vehicle driven by a drug enforcement officer. He allegedly exchanged $1,360 for approximately one ounce of meth. He told officers that he sold the meth for a $100 profit.
Gary Jontra 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.
Arraignment in the case will be on May 4.
Hutchinson man scheduled for sentencing in cocaine distribution case
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — After being continued for a second time two weeks ago, the sentencing hearing for a 28-year-old Hutchinson man convicted in a drug distribution case is again scheduled for Friday
Raymond Kimball was convicted for possession of cocaine with intent to sell, possession of marijuana with a prior conviction and possession of drug paraphernalia with intent to package. The state, as part of the agreement, dropped the severity level of the cocaine charge and also dropped a drug tax stamp violation.
The case centers on Drug Unit Detectives finding a white rocky substance, green leafy vegetation, a digital scale and new and used packaging inside a Hutchinson home while serving a search warrant. The white rocky substance was cocaine and weighed about 25 grams. The green leafy substance was marijuana and weighed about 4.3 grams.
Kimball was arrested with 24-year-old Holly Caudillo.
He has another case pending for failing to register as a drug offender pending.
Hutch woman convicted in indecent liberties case scheduled for sentencing
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — A local woman who entered a plea to a charge of indecent liberties with a child.
Samantha Otterbein was found guilty of inappropriate touching of a 15-year-old girl which occurred back on July 24, 2014. The crime is a level 5 person felony with a sentencing range of two years, seven months, to over 11 years in prison.
Sentencing is in front of Judge Joe McCarville.