Judge Trish Rose gave a 27-year-old Hutchinson man convicted in four cases a great early Christmas present when she sentenced him to nearly half the sentence the state was asking and hoping for. She sentenced Timothy Mendenhall to 126-months total for the four cases, while the state thought 240-months would be appropriate. They wanted the sentences in each case to run consecutive, while Judge Rose ran them concurrent.
Deputy District Attorney Tom Stanton argued that she didn’t sentence him to “1-minute” in prison for being caught selling drugs. The main sentence was for sexual exploitation of a child for having pictures of naked children. Stanton called him dangerous to the community and contributing to the misery of others.
Defense Attorney Bonnie Corrado convinced Judge Rose that it would be manifest injustice or unfair for the sentences to run consecutive in all four cases sighting his lousy childhood calling him product of how he was raised. She says he is also trying to make a change while in prison, receiving a number of certificates. Judge Rose called that “commendable,” but couldn’t find a good reason for a dispositional or durational departure which is what Corrado originally asked for.
Mendenhall entered “guilty” or “no contest” pleas to virtually every charge in every case he was charged which Corrado also pointed out.
In one of the cases, he was convicted on 18-felony counts including sexual exploitation of a child, as well as numerous drug charges including being in possession of potpourri. This is the case where they raided his smoke shop at 1108 West 4th, back on November 17, 2011. Mendenhall stated in court he thought selling the potpourri was legal, having purchased it online. He told the judge he sold drugs to “stay high.”
In another case, he was facing charges of interference with law enforcement. He had been arrested back on November 7, 2012, when officers spotted him at a home in the 900 block of East 10th. They attempted to apprehend him for warrants through Municipal Court and he attempted to escape them on a motorcycle apparently trying to go through a gate. But, Detective Jeremy Hedges was on the other side and he nearly ran him over. He was captured and taken to jail but again managed to make bond.
Another case includes charges of possession of methamphetamine, hydrocodone, marijuana, drug paraphernalia, felony interference with law enforcement and carrying a concealed weapon, in this case a fixed blade knife.
Stanton says he is considering whether he will appeal Friday’s sentencing decision by the judge.