A 36-year-old Hutchinson man accused in three cases of being in possession of methamphetamine with intent to sell entered pleas in all three cases Thursday.
Jacob Maxwell had earlier waived his right to preliminary hearing and entered “not guilty” pleas and his cases were pending a jury trial, but entered the pleas as charged.
In the latest case, Maxwell entered a plea to other charges including interference with law enforcement, no tax stamp, felony theft and possession of drug paraphernalia with intent to distribute.
Hutchinson Police were apparently called to his home in Careyville on the report of a possible stolen vehicle, a Gray 2002 Dodge Ram, allegedly taken from the parking lot of Home Depot.
When police approached the garage of the home, Maxwell allegedly ran from the officers, but was quickly captured and on his person was methamphetamine and some paraphernalia. Police estimate the amount of meth was between a quarter to an ounce which they consider a sellers amount. They also allegedly recovered the stolen pickup.
In another case, he entered pleas to possession of methamphetamine with intent to sell within a 1,000 feet of a school, possession of drug paraphernalia with intent to distribute meth, no tax stamp and possession of stolen property which allegedly belonged to Reno County E-M-S, all of which was located in his bedroom. The drug unit searched his home and allegedly found 2.81-grams of meth, 23.77-grams of cutting residue and zip-lock bags.
In a third case, he entered pleas to possession of methamphetamine with intent to sell, possession of drug paraphernalia with intent to package, no tax stamp and criminal possession of a firearm.
He was stopped on February 10, when Reno County Sheriff Deputy Jeremy Hedges saw him pull up at his residence and had confirmed that his drivers license was revoked and had a possible active warrant through Harvey County. He was arrested as he exited his vehicle. The detective then searched his person and allegedly found a zip-lock baggie that contained around 7-grams of ice meth, as well as other bags, and a large amount of cash. A search of the vehicle showed a 9-mm handgun next to the driver’s seat, and digital scale in the center console.
Sentencing will be in September 27, at 2:30 p-m, which will be a special setting. He could be looking at a sentence of 20-plus years according to the state, but the defense is asking for community corrections.
Maxwell had earlier served time in prison for drug charges in both Harvey and Sedgwick Counties, as well as a driving while suspended conviction out of Sedgwick County. All these convictions from 2005 and 2008.